Why are Vietnamese youth so obsessed with romance novels?

(Bao Nghean) - Chinese romance novels have been introduced to Vietnam in the last decade or so and have quickly attracted a huge number of readers. Despite generating much controversy, the appeal of romance novels shows no signs of waning.

Immersed in the world of romance novels.

Romance novels are called "romantic novels" because they focus on love stories. They are divided into many genres such as time travel (characters transcend time and space to reach a different time and space), historical (with an ancient atmosphere), fantasy (with fantastical elements), underworld (organized crime), BL (gay romance), GL (lesbian romance), military (romance between women and men from the military), science fiction, etc. Generally, this genre depicts beautiful love stories between men and women, reflecting the multifaceted nature of modern society.

Popular romance novel authors admired by many young Vietnamese readers include Tan Di Ao, Tong Hua, Gu Man, Tang Qi Gong Zi, Fei Wo Si Cun, Lin Di Er, etc. Tan Di Ao is famous for "Do You Like America?", "The Moonlight Doesn't Understand My Heart", "Let Me Look at You"... which have quite profound content, vividly portraying the conflicts between love and marriage, love and the ideals and aspirations of youth...

Gu Man's stories, such as "Together Forever" and "I Am Like a Brilliant Sun," are gentle, evoking warm feelings and loyalty. Tong Hua is a female author with a strong ability to describe the psychology of her characters, while Fei Wo Si Cun's stories are closer to cinematic language, rich in imagery and emotion.

The novel "How Far Is Forever" by author Ye Luo Wu Xin.

Objectively speaking, romance novels have been able to survive and thrive over time because they have successfully met the entertainment needs of a group of Vietnamese readers, especially young people who love romance.

Most romance novels are stories about the romantic love of young people. Youth is the most beautiful age for love, and most young people wish for a love that is "unforgettable," a love strong enough to overcome all the challenges in life.

On the other hand, not all love stories in romance novels are shallow tales of flowery love; most of them contain valuable lessons and aphorisms about love and life.

Many philosophical quotes from romance novels have become life mottos for young people, such as: "A momentary lapse can lead to a lifetime of regret; there are many things in life that cannot be undone" (The Great Desert Romance - Tong Hua), or "Destiny is created by oneself, appearance is born from the heart; all things in the world change, but if the heart remains still, all things remain still; if the heart is unwavering, all things remain unwavering" (Ashes of Love - Dian Xuan)...

Therefore, we shouldn't be too critical. However, absorbing the positive aspects of romance novels isn't easy if readers lack discernment.

The benefits are few, the harm is great.

In contrast to those who enjoy romance novels, many readers, especially middle-aged and older generations, oppose the publication and sale of romance novels because some stories address issues of sexuality and homosexual relationships, which can distort the thinking of young people, or contain offensive content.

Many people believe that romance novels are an addictive stimulant because they awaken hidden sexual desires in each person. This is especially true for romance novels containing "H" ("hentai," which can be translated as sexual deviance or, in Vietnamese, "sexual perversion." "H+" refers to a "severe" form of sexual perversion).

This is the root cause and danger of moral decay, eroding the beautiful ideals of love, marriage, and family. At the same time, being immersed in the world of romantic fiction can easily lead young people into an illusory, dreamy, and unrealistic way of thinking.

What young people read is their right, as is their personal psychological preference. However, the important thing here is to educate and guide them towards a positive reading culture from a young age, so that each person can be equipped with the basic knowledge to choose a good book amidst the vast array of cultural publications available today.

Thuy Nguyet