Book about 18th century Vietnam wins award

HCM City (VNA) – A collection of seven books featuring the history, politics, economy and culture of Vietnam in the second half of the 18th century by Vietnamese-American researcher Nguyen Duy Chinh has been awarded Best Book for 2017 by the nonprofit group IRED Institute of Education and the Phan Chau Trinh Foundation in Vietnam.

The award, first given in 2011, is for books in the fields of research, economics, management, education, self-development or life values, literature and children’s books.

Chinh was born in 1948 in Son Tay province (now Son Tay town of Hanoi), and moved with his family in 1954 to HCM City. In 1979, he studied in the US, and now lives in California.

He began to conduct research on the history of Vietnam in 2002, publishing research works Xua & Nay (Past & Present) and Nghien Cuu & Phat Trien (Research and Development) under the Thua Thien-Hue province’s Science and Technology Department.

He has released 10 books on Vietnam in the 18th century.

The award for the best book in the education category was given to Nuoc Duc the ky XIX – Cuoc cach mang giao duc khoa hoc & cong nghe (Germany in the 19th Century – The Revolution of Education, Science and Technology) by Nguyen Xuan Xanh.

The 295-page book was published by the Dan Tri (People’s Knowledge) Publishing House last year.   

Author Tran Mai Anh received an award for her children’s book Hanh Trinh Yeu Thuong – Nhat Ky Thien Nhan (Love Journey – Diary of Thien Nhan), while Tinh Cat (Love and Sand), a romantic novel by Nguyen Quang Lap, was recognised as the best book in the literature category.

The organisers also granted prizes to Pham Sy Thanh and Alan Phan for books on economics and management, respectively.

The award for books about self-development or life values was shared by authors Nguyen Vinh Nguyen, Huynh Trong Khang and Nguyen Lan.

Philosopher Bui Nam Son, a member of the organisation’s board, said at the awards ceremony in HCM City on October 1 that the Best Book Awards introduce readers to “quality and significant publications, as well as promote people’s reading habits and elevate their reading taste.”

At the ceremony, the organiser launched a special programme called “Books for Prisoners”, which will collect books from the community to donate books to prisons nationwide.

Books on law, education, vocational guidance, lifestyle, history and culture are encouraged.

“The programme is expected to create opportunities for prisoners to re-educate themselves,” Son said.-VNA