Most recently, the first Viet Nam–China and China–Viet Nam Literary Translation Contest was officially launched to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries and the Viet Nam–China Year of People-to-People Exchange. The contest also aims to create an academic platform for students, international learners, and literature–language enthusiasts.
The contest was jointly organised by the Consulate General of China in Ho Chi Minh City, Chi Culture Joint Stock Company (Chibooks), Ho Chi Minh City University of Foreign Languages and Information Technology (HUFLIT), Beijing Foreign Studies University (Viet Nam Research Centre), the Ho Chi Minh City Writers’ Association, the China Writers’ Association, and the Chinese Literature Reading Club in Viet Nam.
This initiative is part of the First Viet Nam–China, China–Viet Nam Literary Exchange, commemorating 75 years of diplomatic ties and the Viet Nam–China Year of People-to-People Exchange. It also provides an opportunity to enhance literary translation skills, foster a love of literature, and promote the literary traditions of both countries to a wider audience at home and abroad.
The competition is open to Vietnamese students majoring in Chinese Language Studies with the ability to translate between Vietnamese and Chinese, Chinese students majoring in Vietnamese, Vietnamese students currently studying in China, and freelance translators with less than three years of experience (holding HSK level 4 or above, or with no more than one published translation).
Participants may choose to translate either poetry or short contemporary fiction (no longer than 1,000 words) from a list of works provided by the organisers. Entries will be judged based on accuracy, fluency, and literary quality. Outstanding translations will be published on the communication channels of the participating universities, organising institutions, and the Viet Nam Writers’ Association and the China Writers’ Association.
For the Viet Nam-to-Chinese translation category (intended for Chinese contestants), the selected works include well-known pieces of Vietnamese literature such as “Tre xanh” (Green Bamboo) by Nguyen Duy, “Song” (Waves) by Xuan Quynh, “Mua xuan nho nho” (Small Spring) by Thanh Hai, “Di trong huong tram” (Walking through the melaleuca forest) by Hoai Vu, “Chiec la dau tien” (The First Leaf) by Hoang Nhuan Cam, “Nhat ky do thi hoa” (Diary of Urbanisation) by Mai Van Phan, “Cung Bac qua suoi” (Crossing the stream with Uncle Ho) and “Bup sen xanh” (The Green Lotus Bud) by Son Tung, and “Giai dieu thoi gian” (Melody of Time) by Trinh Bich Ngan, among others.
For the China-to-Viet Nam translation category (intended for Vietnamese contestants), the competition features a wide selection of poems and excerpts by renowned contemporary Chinese poets and writers.
The judging panel brings together esteemed writers and translators from both Viet Nam and China, along with professors and PhD scholars specialising in language studies.
Submissions will be accepted from September 22 to November 10, 2025, with judging scheduled between November 10 and 20. The award ceremony is expected to take place on November 21 at HUFLIT and Beijing Foreign Studies University, in a hybrid format combining in-person and online participation.
The contest is expected to serve as a cultural bridge connecting Vietnamese and Chinese literature, while also providing a valuable opportunity for younger generations to demonstrate their translation skills and explore the cultural depths conveyed through language.
