Reading Vietnam
Essential Reads from Vietnamese Voices
I’m not sure when it all started; perhaps it was when I picked up Vincent Lam’s Bloodletting and Other Miraculous Cures, which led me to Nam Lê’s short story collection, The Boat. Although the former is of Chinese descent from Vietnam, the latter came from Vietnam to Australia when he was less than a year old. There used to be only a few English books by Vietnamese writers that were not focused on the war, and I personally was not particularly drawn to reading about Vietnam from the perspectives of White Americans. Fortunately, we’ve come far since then. The number of English books by Vietnamese authors has greatly increased, including both translated and original works, with stories spanning a wide array of genres. From this post, it's clear that I favour memoirs, romances, and contemporary alongside literary fiction, but for those who enjoy fantasy and even horror, there are plenty of those types of novels out there as well. Not to mention all the new releases that have yet to come out! As I get ready to leave for Asia in about a month, this is probably going to be the last regular blog post from me for a while. I hope you find this post to be a useful, if not an interesting, read. As a modest Vietnamese reader, I consider myself lucky to have had the privilege of meeting and/or keeping in touch with a few of the authours mentioned here. I hope I’ll be able to continue promoting the Vietnamese stories I enjoy while reading as many books by Vietnamese authors for as long as I can.
Em by Kim Thúy
First published: 2020
Published by: Penguin Random House Canada
I know Kim is better known for Ru, which has won multiple awards and was featured on Canada Reads, but personally, Em, which was longlisted for the Giller Prize, is my personal favourite out of all her books, as I felt it was a more compelling read overall.
The Fortunes of Jaded Women by Carolyn Huynh
First published: 2022
Published by: Simon & Schuster, Atria Books
Literally, I can’t stop thinking and talking about this book! And I’m not saying this because Carolyn and I have become online friends. Fortunes is so good, and if you want good messy Viet women representation, this is THE book! Her second book, The Family Recipe, was also great, but Fortunes just has a special place in my heart.
Family Recipe, was also great, but Fortunes just has a special place in my heart.
Family Style: Memories of an American from Vietnam by Thien Pham
First published: 2023
Published by: First Second
If you’re looking for a great entry point into memoirs by Vietnamese authours, consider Thien Pham’s Family Style. This graphic memoir tells the story of Thien and his family’s journey from Vietnam to America. The graphic novel format makes it ideal for teenagers and anyone who might find traditional text-based memoirs somewhat overwhelming. I love how each chapter revolves around a Vietnamese dish and its significance in the author’s life story.
The Migrant Rain Falls in Reverse: A Memory of Vietnam by Vinh Nguyễn
First published: 2025
Published by: HarperCollins Canada
Countless memoirs have come from Vietnamese writers, and I’ve read many of them. Still, Vinh Nguyen’s The Migrant Rain Falls in Reverse stands out to me, not just for its exceptional writing but also for its unique genre-blending twist on the classic memoir.
The Bride Test by Helen Hoang
First published: 2019
Published by: Berkley
Helen Hoang was the first Vietnamese authour I saw to have a traditionally published romance. And her third book still stands out to me as her best work. Since its publication, we’ve gotten a couple more Vietnamese writers doing romance, like Thien Lam Kim, who’s written one of my favourite steamy romances featuring two Vietnamese leads, Something Cheeky!
Solving for the Unknown by Loan Le
First published: 2025
Published by: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Loan Le’s Solving for the Unknown is the first book I’ve read that highlights the unique experience of being a Vietnamese American college/university student, though it is a YA novel. Coming from a Vietnamese background and having been a university student, I truly appreciate the representation of navigating two cultures and finding your identity while being away from your family for school. Additionally, the focus on mental health and the portrayal of Vietnamese parents in this book was also noteworthy.
Banyan Moon by Thao Thai
First published: 2023
Published by: HarperCollins, Mariner Books
For a debut novel, Banyan Moon was truly impressive! I can’t speak for other cultures, but I know the relationship between Vietnamese mothers and daughters is often wrought with complications and misunderstandings. The two generations often have had very different experiences in life that shaped their beliefs and who they become. Banyan Moon captures this perfectly with its lyrical prose in a story that is reminiscent of a traditional gothic novel.
Dust Child by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai
First published: 2023
Published by: Algonquin Books
In 2020, Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai made her name in the literary world with her debut novel, The Mountains Sing. Three years later, she would go on to write a novel not only about the experiences of Vietnamese women but also those of the American veterans and Amerasians. For those who, like me, see the problematic nature of stories like Miss Saigon, Dust Child offers a more nuanced and thoughtful exploration of similar themes that you will surely appreciate. Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai is on this list not only because her novels are not only heartbreakingly beautiful but also thoroughly researched.
A Bánh Mì for Two by Trinity Nguyen
First published: 2024
Published by: Henry Holt and Co. BYR
Vietnamese representation in writing and books doesn’t always have to centre around war and trauma; we should also have stories that showcase joy and love as well as self-exploration. While Trinity Nguyen’s A Bánh Mì for Two features a sweet sapphic romance built around shared food and culture in the cosmopolitan city of Sài Gòn (Hồ Chí Minh City), it is ultimately a story about two Vietnamese girls finding the courage to challenge expectations and step outside the boxes others have built around them.
Such an interesting read. Thank you for sharing.