Thieu, 61, is the first Vietnamese poet to receive the prestigious prize.
The award of the prize will be an opportunity for Korean readers to learn more about Vietnamese literature and provide evidence that poetry in Vietnam and in the world in general is still appreciated.
Two of Nguyen Quang Thieu’s most renowned poetry collections are “The Women Carry River Water” and “The Insomnia of Fire”.
His 1995 collection “The Women Carry River Water” was translated into English by Martha Collins, an American poet, and published in a bilingual format by the University of Massachusetts Press in 1997.
Besides being a poet, Nguyen Quang Thieu is also known as a novel and short story writer, playwright and translator.
The Changwon KC International Literary Prize is awarded to writers between 50 and 65 for their literary contributions to the world. Besides works translated into Korean, the winners also must have had their works translated into English.
Previous winners include Christopher Merrill and Tracy K.Smith of the US, Bei Dao of China and Claude Mouchard of France.
