Released in the second quarter of 2026, writer Quynh Van’s short-story collection Late-Blooming Wild Sunflowers offers a thoughtful and intimate portrait of soldiers in peacetime.
Published by the People’s Army Publishing House in the second quarter of 2026, the 224-page volume brings together 16 stories drawn from the writer’s long connection with military life.
Cover of the collection Late-Blooming Wild Sunflowers
Rather than focusing on dramatic battles or grand heroic figures, Quynh Van looks at soldiers through the small details of everyday life. Her characters are comrades, friends, husbands and lovers. They work, wait, worry about their families, share jokes in the barracks and carry out their duties far from home. Their strength is not presented through slogans, but through acts of care, responsibility and quiet sacrifice.
The collection pays particular attention to the emotional world of soldiers, including women in uniform. Love, friendship and comradeship are handled with restraint and warmth. The stories suggest that even in peacetime, military life requires endurance: guarding borders and seas, remaining at posts, and accepting personal sacrifices without complaint.
The title itself carries a symbolic meaning. Wild sunflowers may bloom late, but they remain bright and resilient. In the same way, the soldiers in Quynh Van’s stories do not stand in the spotlight. Yet they continue to shine through their humanity, loyalty and commitment to those around them.
With a soft, observant voice and a close understanding of military life, Late-Blooming Wild Sunflowers offers a sincere tribute to the ordinary dignity of Vietnam’s soldiers.
Translated by DO HUONG
VNQD