In the past, when people talked about Asian literature, they usually referred to classic works from China, Japan, or South Korea. However, in recent years, the rapid development of the Internet and social media, combined with the impact brought by the pandemic, has helped bring Asian cultures and literature closer to the world. Reading has become a trend through platforms like BookTok. Global streaming platforms and the popularity of Asian films have also made Asian stories more a ccessible. People are living in a time of strong globalization. The West and other regions are now more curious about Asia. People have more chances to learn about and enjoy different literary cultures. As a result, literature from countries that were once less well known now has a chance to be discovered and appreciated by international readers.

As someone working in publishing, I pay attention not only to globally recognized authors such as Mo Yan (Red Sorghum), Han Kang (The Vegetarian), Haruki Murakami (Norwegian Wood), and Luo Guanzhong (Romance of the Three Kingdoms), but also to a wider range of voices. I am particularly interested in Man’y ō sh ū (Japan’s oldest anthology of poems), light novels by Shinkai Makoto, books by Kazumi Yumoto, and notable Vi etnamese authors such as To Huu, Nam Cao, and Vu Trong Phung. These works, though diverse in genre and form, share a deeply emotional and cultural resonance.

I believe that Asian literature expresses deep emotions. Many stories feel gentle, quiet, and wa m. The characters and settings often show a strong bond with nature, family, society, and tradition. A recurring theme is the tension and harmony between tradition and modernity, as well as the individual’s search for identity and belonging.

From my perspective , the Vietnamese market is open to Asian literature. Vietnamese readers share many common concerns with other Asian countries, such as the environment, family, community, history, and society. They are familiar with cultures from nearby countries. While they have a strong sense of identity and deep appreciation for their own cultural values and traditions, they are also open and curious about literature and cultures from other parts of the world. They tend to feel culturally and emotionally connected to other Asian countries and show openness to translated works from China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, and India. They value meaningful stories, especially those that touch on motherhood, sacrifice, rural life, or emotional struggles. They are also interested in books that deal wit h social issues such as real estate, regional inequality, generational conflict, the mental world of young people, or women’s inner experiences. Because of these shared values, Asian literature has strong potential to grow in Vietnam.