Che Lan Vien
Encyclopedia
Chế Lan Viên was a Vietnamese poet. He was born Phan Ngọc Hoan, in Đông Hà, in Central Vietnam. He grew up in Quy Nhơn further south, and started writing poetry at an early age. His first collection, published when he was seventeen, gained him notice as a poet of original, if morose, sensibilities. He participated in the events of the August Revolution
of 1945, in the Quy Nhơn area. Afterwards, he wrote for a number of journals, including Quyết Thắng (Resolve to Win) in support of the Việt Minh’s movement against French rule.
After the Geneva Agreements
of 1954, Chế Lan Viên returned to Hà Nội, taking on responsibilities as a leading member of the Writers’ Association of Viet Nam (Hội Nhà Văn Việt Nam).
After the fall of South Vietnam
in 1975, Chế Lan Viên lived and worked in Hồ Chí Minh City (formerly Sài Gòn). A prolific writer, he remained active in the literary scene, producing poetry, essays, memoirs, and commentary and criticism until his death in 1989.
, and Yến Lan. The preface to his first collection, Điêu Tàn, was also a statement of the aesthetics of the “Disordered” (Loạn), also known as “Mad” (Điên), school of poetry. The poems in that volume are marked by ghastly, even demonic, subjects and imagery. Chế Lan Viên was ethnic Chàm (or Giao Chỉ) by birth, and the ruins referred to in the title are those of the extinct Chàm Kingdom. The poems are haunted by catastrophe, by death and killings, and by memories of a lost past.
His poetry during the war period was highly journalistic and heavily colored with nationalist sentiments. After the war, his writings reflected a return to normalcy, remembering the past and commenting on the realities of everyday living.
August Revolution
On August 19, 1945, the Việt Minh under Hồ Chí Minh began the August General Uprising Tổng Khởi Nghĩa, which was soon renamed the August Revolution . Whether or not this series of events should be called a "revolution" is disputable; what is clear is that, from August 19 onwards, demonstrations and...
of 1945, in the Quy Nhơn area. Afterwards, he wrote for a number of journals, including Quyết Thắng (Resolve to Win) in support of the Việt Minh’s movement against French rule.
After the Geneva Agreements
Geneva Agreements
The Geneva Agreements of 1954 arranged a settlement which brought about an end to the First Indochina war. The agreement was reached at the end of the Geneva Conference. A ceasefire was signed and France agreed to withdraw its troops from the region. French Indochina was split into three...
of 1954, Chế Lan Viên returned to Hà Nội, taking on responsibilities as a leading member of the Writers’ Association of Viet Nam (Hội Nhà Văn Việt Nam).
After the fall of South Vietnam
South Vietnam
South Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
in 1975, Chế Lan Viên lived and worked in Hồ Chí Minh City (formerly Sài Gòn). A prolific writer, he remained active in the literary scene, producing poetry, essays, memoirs, and commentary and criticism until his death in 1989.
Poetry
Chế Lan Viên was associated with the Bình Định Group of poets, whose other members were Quách Tấn, Hàn Mặc TửHan Mac Tu
Hàn Mặc Tử was a Vietnamese poet. He was born Nguyễn Trọng Trí, at Lệ Mỹ Village, Đồng Hới District, Quảng Bình Province. His pen names included: Minh Duệ, Phong Trần, Lệ Thanh, and finally Hàn Mặc Tử, by which name is known today. He grew up in a poor family, his father having died when he was...
, and Yến Lan. The preface to his first collection, Điêu Tàn, was also a statement of the aesthetics of the “Disordered” (Loạn), also known as “Mad” (Điên), school of poetry. The poems in that volume are marked by ghastly, even demonic, subjects and imagery. Chế Lan Viên was ethnic Chàm (or Giao Chỉ) by birth, and the ruins referred to in the title are those of the extinct Chàm Kingdom. The poems are haunted by catastrophe, by death and killings, and by memories of a lost past.
His poetry during the war period was highly journalistic and heavily colored with nationalist sentiments. After the war, his writings reflected a return to normalcy, remembering the past and commenting on the realities of everyday living.
Poetry
- Điêu Tàn (Ruins) 1937
- Gửi Các Anh (To My Brothers) 1954
- Ánh Sáng và Phù Sa (Silt Sand and Light) 1960
- Hoa Ngày Thường - Chim Báo Bão (Ordinary Flowers – The Storm-Omening Bird) 1967
- Những bài thơ đánh giặc (Poems Fighting the Enemy) 1972
- Đối thoại mới (New Conversations) 1973
- Hoa Trước Lăng Người (Flowers Before a Monument) 1976
- Hái theo mùa (Picking According to the Season) 1977
- Hoa Trên đá (Flowers Above the Rocks) 1985
- Di Cảo (Posthumous works) I (1994) & II (1995)
Prose (partial)
- Vàng Sao (The Yellow Star) 1942
- Thăm Trung Quốc (Visit to China) 1963
- Những Ngày Nổi Giận (Days of Wrath) 1966
- Giờ Của Số Thành (City Hours) 1977