On the morning of June 10, 2025, the Military Arts Magazine in collaboration with the Da Lat Writers’ Studio officially launched the writing camp titled “Literature on revolutionary war and soldiers.”
The opening ceremony was chaired by Colonel and writer Nguyễn Bình Phương, Vice President of the Vietnam Writers’ Association and Editor-in-Chief of Military Arts Magazine. Attending the event were Lieutenant Colonel Lê Hoa Khương from the Political department of the Army Academy; poet Thanh Dương Hồng, Chairman of the Lam Dong Province Literature and Arts Association; writer Trần Ngọc Trác, Head of the Vietnam Writers’ Association Branch in Lam Dong; poet Hữu Nhân, Head of the Dong Thap Writers’ Association Branch; poet Đàm Chu Văn and poet Nguyễn Đức Phước from the Dong Nai Writers’ Association Branch; reporters from Lam Dong Newspaper; along with 15 writers, poets, and literary critics participating in the 2025 Military Arts writing camp in Da Lat.
Like other annual camps by Military Arts Magazine, the 2025 Da Lat camp offers writers, poets, and critics a chance to engage with real experiences and inspire creativity focused on revolutionary war literature and soldiers. The camp aims to produce vibrant works that enrich the magazine and meet readers’ growing interests. It also marks part of the magazine’s activities celebrating the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and Vietnam’s National Day.
Colonel and writer Nguyễn Bình Phương at the opening ceremony of the Military Arts Writing Camp in Da Lat, 2025. Photo: PV
He emphasized: “As the magazine of the armed forces, Military Arts places special emphasis on revolutionary war themes and the image of Uncle Ho’s soldiers in both combat and production labor. Writing about war is not only to repay historical debts or document firsthand experiences, nor merely to honor or educate about tradition. At this stage, with an open and objective spirit, war literature aims to explore, dissect, and identify the essence, spirit, character, and dignity of the Vietnamese people. This allows us to stand firmly in the present and move forward into the future with clarity and purpose. This is the deepest aspect that Military Arts hopes its contributors will explore when writing about revolutionary war themes and soldiers.”
Writer Hoàng Quý from Ba Ria - Vung Tau shared his feelings: “I am deeply moved that this writing camp brings together authors who experienced the anti-American resistance and border defense wars nearly half a century ago, alongside young writers, poets, and critics from across the country.”
Poet Đào An Duyên speaking at the opening ceremony of the writing camp. Photo: PV
Poet Đào An Duyên from Gia Lai, herself the daughter of a serviceman, expressed her heartfelt emotions about becoming a close contributor to Military Arts Magazine and participating in numerous writing camps. She especially appreciated the opportunity to experience this camp in Da Lat, a city deeply connected to her spirited student days.
Literary critic Võ Quốc Việt from Long An sincerely stated: “Attending this writing camp for the first time is a great honor for me not only for the chance to join a professional literary event organized by a prestigious magazine and to meet distinguished literary figures across generations, but also as an opportunity to delve deeper into the revolutionary war and soldier theme, which can create meaningful connections between tradition, the present, and the future.”
Colonel and critic Hoàng Đăng Khoa, Head of the Criticism and Theory Department at Military Arts Magazine, who will accompany the participants throughout the camp, noted: “The revolutionary war and soldier theme, especially the peacetime soldier, is fertile ground for literature. It holds many untapped stories and unexplored approaches in lyricism, narrative techniques, and critical research lenses. We hope the days in Da Lat will be a golden opportunity for participants to creatively engage with this theme that is both old and new.”
The writing camp is scheduled to conclude on the afternoon of June 18, 2025.
Tranlated by Minh Kiên
VNQD