The Literary Translator: A Hanoi-Based Linguist’s Love Letter to Literature and Language

Nguyen Huong Lan has dedicated her career to translating renowned literary works, including Little Nicolas, as well as books by celebrated authors Marc Levy and Guillaume Musso. Her passion project, InBook, is more than just a bookstore; it’s a labor of love aimed at fostering a reading culture within families and inspiring a love of books in children.
 The visionary behind InBook: Translator Nguyen Huong Lan. Photo: Ngo Minh/The Hanoi Times

In 2017, Lan’s dream took shape in the form of a quaint bookstore in Vietnam, born out of a desire to nurture her children’s love of reading and extend the same opportunity to other families.

Esteemed cultural scholar Huu Ngoc endorsed her endeavor, recognizing the potential impact a bookstore in Hanoi could have not just on families but on society as a whole. And so, Blue Horizon, a charming bookstore in Hoan Kiem District, opened its doors.

“While selling books may not bring immense wealth, it offers a sense of fulfillment,” Lan shared. “When your life is stable, you strive to leave a meaningful legacy, first for your children and then for the community at large.”
 InBook attracts readers from all walks of life, including Julien Audin, Manager of the Multimedia Library at the French Institute in Hanoi. Photo: Ngo Minh/The Hanoi Times

Building on the success of Blue Horizon, Lan established InBook, marking a new chapter in her journey. InBook is a testament to the growing demand for English and French literature within the Vietnamese reading community.

“Our collection is carefully curated to offer readers a diverse range of exciting foreign language books across all genres,” Lan explained. “We continuously update our catalog to ensure our readers have access to the latest and greatest titles.”

From its inception, InBook forged partnerships with foreign publishers, no small feat for a small bookstore in a distant Asian country. Navigating the complex process of importing books from international publishing groups presented a unique set of challenges, as Lan noted.

Today, InBook boasts a loyal customer base of over 10,000 readers and a collection of 7,000 book titles in English and French, all directly imported. Among its dedicated patrons is Julien Audin, Manager of the Multimedia Library at the French Institute in Hanoi.

“We extend our warmest congratulations to Lan and her team,” Audin said. “The French Institute is proud to support bookstores like InBook that share our mission of promoting French language and culture to the Vietnamese community.”

You may also like

A Passion for Pages: Unveiling a World of Foreign Titles



A quaint little bookstore, with a unique charm, was born out of a simple yet powerful idea: to inspire a love for reading in young minds. This foreign-language children’s bookstore aims to ignite a passion for literature and learning in the hearts of children, creating a magical experience with every visit.

The Taste of Vietnam Festival 2024: A Culinary Journey to France.



“Ici Vietnam Festival 2024,” a vibrant food festival, took center stage at Monge Square in the heart of Paris, France. This exciting event was a delicious initiative to showcase the very best of Vietnamese cuisine and culture to an international audience.

Ho Chi Minh City Celebrates Vietnam Book Day



Ho Chi Minh City is set to celebrate Vietnam Book and Reading Cultural Day (April 21) at the city’s Book Street and nearby Paris Square in District 1 from April 21-22 with a series of activities to promote reading culture in the city.

Numerous Activities Mark the Third Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day



A series of activities with various messages will be organized until May 1 to celebrate the Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day 2024, the Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC) said at a press conference on April 8.

Vietnamese Man Donates Books to Indian Students



Nguyen Quang Thach, the brains behind the initiative ‘Books for the Countryside’, a pioneering effort dedicated to providing access to literature in the remote corners of Vietnam, has embarked on an ambitious expansion by extending the program to India.

The post The Literary Translator: A Hanoi-Based Linguist’s Love Letter to Literature and Language appeared first on https://vietexplorer.com.

Nhận xét

Đăng nhận xét

Bài đăng phổ biến từ blog này

Enjoying Ho Chi Minh City in the Rain: Tips for a Perfect Rainy Day Experience

Hình ảnh
The question that is often asked is: how can one enjoy Ho Chi Minh City when they know they will have to deal with rain? Well, there is good news. The rain in Ho Chi Minh City is quite predictable during about 80 percent of the wet season. Different regions in Vietnam have different wet seasons, but in Ho Chi Minh City, you can expect an afternoon storm to roll in anytime after 2:00 pm. These storms, especially the heavy ones, usually only last for an hour or so before the skies clear up and everything returns to normal. Many locals simply plan their day around the rain. In fact, when the rain is most predictable, locals rarely take out their raincoats because they are able to stay indoors during the short periods of precipitation. However, this can also lead to major traffic congestion when everyone leaves work at the same time after the rain has passed. Commuters ride in the rain in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, May 25, 2020. Photo: Chau Tuan / Tuoi Tre As a tourist in Ho
Đọc thêm

HCM City Travel Firms Gear Up For Summer Peak

Hình ảnh
Vietnam News Today (Apr. 23) notable headlines US chip giant NVIDIA keen to explore investment opportunities in Vietnam Algerian Ambassador receives friendship insignia Vietnam, Malaysia foster education cooperation HCM City travel firms gear up for summer peak Leading Latin America buyers to seek Vietnamese suppliers Phu Quoc dubbed “Maldives of Vietnam” Exhibition spotlights significance of Dien Bien Phu Victory Forum to discuss new initiatives on ASEAN future vision: Deputy FM Acting President attends National Humanitarian Month launching ceremony Photo: VOV US chip giant NVIDIA keen to explore investment opportunities in Vietnam A delegation of NVIDIA Corporation of the United States led by Keith Strier, vice president of NVIDIA, is scheduled to arrive in Vietnam from April 22 to 26 to explore investment opportunities in the country, according to Dau Tu (Investment) newspaper. The working trip will take them to Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City,
Đọc thêm

Healthy Nonagenarian Thrives Thanks to Pool Time in Vietnam

Hình ảnh
It is an uncommon daily routine among the elderly population in Vietnam. Vu Quy Hien, 65, and his entire family share a love for sports. This deep appreciation for sports comes from his father, Vu Ngoc Lau, 94. The swimmers at Rach Mieu Swimming Pool in Phu Nhuan District witness this man take a dip every day. It was Lau who inspired his family members to engage in physical activity. Lau happily shared that he swims around 500-700 meters in a large pool each day. Sporting spirit spreads among family members “My father became my inspiration for swimming. His children and grandchildren see him as a role model for a healthy lifestyle,” Hien said. “We often spend time swimming, cycling, and jogging together to improve our health and make our lives more meaningful.” Thanks to his swimming routine, this elderly man is in good health, according to his son. “My father is capable of performing daily activities such as eating, sleeping, and personal hygiene,” Hien proudly stated. Init
Đọc thêm