Associate Professor, Doctor, writer Nguyen The Ky: "'The Land of Ten Thousand Miles' is the dream novel of my life."

"I've always wondered: Why don't we have a complete novel about Uncle Ho?"

PV:Sir, what prompted you to start thinking about writing a major novel about President Ho Chi Minh?

Associate Professor, Doctor, writer Nguyen The Ky:This idea, I would say, originated from my many years of work in Nghe An. In particular, during my time as Secretary of the Nam Dan District Party Committee, I had the opportunity to experience the very special cultural and historical atmosphere of President Ho Chi Minh's homeland.

I spent more time in Hoang Tru, my mother's hometown, and Lang Sen, my father's hometown, listening to more stories from the local people, and the more I learned, the more profound insights I gained about the origins that shaped Ho Chi Minh's character.

In fact, many authors have written very successfully about Uncle Ho before, especially the writer Son Tung with "Green Lotus Bud," "Golden Lotus," etc. But Mr. Son Tung mainly wrote about Uncle Ho's childhood and youth. Some other writers such as Nguyen The Quang, Thien Son, etc., also wrote about specific periods and stages of his life. And I always think: Why haven't we had a complete novel about Uncle Ho's life?

With the advantage of being involved in politics and culture, having the opportunity to travel abroad and access many additional sources for comparison, I believe I have a responsibility and also certain advantages in undertaking this book series.

PV:But writing about President Ho Chi Minh is not an easy choice at all…

Associate Professor, Doctor, writer Nguyen The Ky:Yes. It's a huge pressure… Because when writing about a legendary figure, the most difficult thing is how to reconcile "literature" and "history." History must be recorded, meaning objective truth, without introducing subjective opinions. But literature needs imagery, artistic language, and fiction. However, fictionalizing Uncle Ho is a huge challenge. The author cannot go too far, but at the same time must make the character "come alive" in the reader's perception.

I think the advantage of literature is its ability to delve into the emotions and inner lives of characters. Literature can imagine what Uncle Ho was thinking, what his feelings were in moments of joy or sorrow, or when facing adversity – something that purely historical research works struggle to fully convey.

PV:So, this novel series must have been in preparation for a very long time, right?

Associate Professor, Doctor, writer Nguyen The Ky:That's a fair comparison. For nearly 20 years, I reread documents, traveled to the areas associated with Uncle Ho's activities, learned more about world history and the revolutionary movements he was involved in… and only then did I dedicate about 5 years to writing continuously.

The novel consists of five volumes: "Debt to the Nation," "Drifting the Four Seas," "From Viet Bac to Hanoi," "The Road to Dien Bien," and "Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh." Each volume represents a stage in Uncle Ho's life. I chose the title "The Nation's Journey of Ten Thousand Miles" because I believe Uncle Ho's journey was an incredibly grand one: crossing the sea, overcoming imprisonment, and surmounting numerous challenges to find a path to national salvation.

"If you stop halfway through, the feelings won't be the same the next day."

PV:For many years, he worked in both administration and arts and culture. So how did he manage to find time for "A Thousand Miles of Homeland"?

Associate Professor, Doctor, writer Nguyen The Ky:I dedicate almost all of my weekends and evenings to writing. I don't play golf or pursue other time-consuming hobbies. Perhaps because I'm used to staying up late, I often write until 3 or 4 in the morning. To fight off sleepiness while writing, I always keep a jar of popcorn on my desk. The crunchy kernels help me stay awake and continue writing, because if I stop midway, the feeling won't be the same the next day.

There were times when I almost lived with the character and the historical setting. I would go to sleep, but my mind would still be thinking about details, dialogue, or a scene that wasn't quite right.

PV:Were there any details in the writing process that particularly moved him?

Associate Professor, Doctor, writer Nguyen The Ky:There are many details that bring tears to my eyes. But often it's not major events, but rather very ordinary things. For example, the scene of Uncle Ho's family walking along the main road to Hue, saying goodbye to his grandmother in Hoang Tru. For young Nguyen Sinh Cung at that time, it was a very moving farewell. Or, most heartbreakingly, the scene of his mother, Hoang Thi Loan, dying in a small attic in the imperial city of Hue while his father, Nguyen Sinh Sac, and his brother, Khiem, were far away, leaving only little Nguyen Sinh Cung with his mother and younger sibling. When I wrote that passage, and later watched the artists perform it on stage, I and many audience members couldn't hold back our tears.

PV:I noticed that in "A Thousand Miles of Homeland," he devoted a considerable amount of space to writing about the cultural roots of Nghe An province and President Ho Chi Minh's childhood years. Perhaps he wanted to use this to provide a deeper understanding of the formation of Ho Chi Minh's character and soul?

Associate Professor, Doctor, writer Nguyen The Ky:I believe that the cultural influence of Nghe An province is very strong in Ho Chi Minh. Nam Dan is a typical "land of outstanding people and rich history." The land may be barren, but the people are very resilient and eager to learn. The folk songs, lullabies sung by his grandmother and mother, the way of life of the people of Nghe An... accompanied him throughout his life. Even the title of his first volume, "Debt to the Nation," comes from a lullaby sung by his maternal grandmother and mother, Hoang Thi Loan, to the young Nguyen Sinh Cung."To be a decent person, even in poverty, is to be clean and respectable; fame and fortune are debts to the nation that must be repaid."I think that very sense of "debt to the nation" was ingrained in President Ho's life from his early childhood.

PV:After completing the book series, did he feel he had "finished" that journey?

Associate Professor, Doctor, writer Nguyen The Ky:No one would dare think they could write everything about President Ho Chi Minh. I only think I've tried my best to create a decent novel, with all the affection, respect, and responsibility of a writer. And honestly, completing "The Land of a Thousand Miles" feels like I've fulfilled a very big dream of my writing life.

"I hope that young people will continue to write the story of their fathers and grandfathers."

PV:What made him happiest after the book series was released?

Associate Professor, Doctor, writer Nguyen The Ky:What makes me happiest is the feedback from young readers. One student in Dak Lak, after finishing the first volume, messaged her mother saying, "Uncle Ky writes so vividly, I stayed up all night reading it." Hearing that, I was very moved. For a writer, sometimes nothing grand is needed. Just having their work touch the reader is enough to make them happy.

PV:How does he hope young people today will read "The Land and Water of a Thousand Miles"?

Associate Professor, Doctor, writer Nguyen The Ky:I don't expect you to read this just to learn about history or to admire President Ho Chi Minh. What I hope for more is that, from the stories of our ancestors, today's young people will better understand their responsibilities to the country, to the community, and to their own lives. History is not just for remembering. In my opinion, history is also for each generation to reflect on themselves and consider how they will live. Recently, there's a very beautiful song that says, "Continue writing the story of peace." I also hope that today's young generation will learn from the stories of their ancestors and continue to write a better future for the country.

PV:After this series of novels, will he continue to delve into historical themes?

Associate Professor, Doctor, writer Nguyen The KyPerhaps this is still my main path. Before "The Land and Water of a Thousand Miles," I had already written about Mai Hac De, Ly Cong Uan, Truong Bon... both novels and plays. Regarding "The Land and Water of a Thousand Miles," two volumes have already been adapted for the stage: "Debt to the Homeland" and "From Viet Bac to Hanoi." I will continue to adapt the remaining three volumes, and even further, for film.

PV:And perhaps, for him personally, this collection of books is also a way of "paying his debt" to the homeland of President Ho Chi Minh?

Associate Professor, Doctor, writer Nguyen The Ky:That's right. I am deeply indebted to that land. After the book was completed, I was very happy to donate "The Land of a Thousand Miles" to the Kim Lien National Special Historical Site. I think, in addition to artifacts and historical documents, the book can also contribute a literary perspective to help visitors better understand President Ho Chi Minh.

PV:Thank you, Associate Professor and writer Nguyen The Ky, for this conversation. After "A Thousand Miles of Homeland," readers will continue to look forward to his other journeys in literature and history.