The bilingual Vietnamese-Japanese edition of A brief illustrated history of Vietnam contributes to the promotion of Vietnamese history and culture among Japanese readers, creating opportunities for international publishing collaboration and spreading Vietnamese values globally.

Released on June 19 by Kim Dong Publishing House, the bilingual edition serves as a meaningful gift for Vietnamese children living in Japan and for Japanese-language readers both inside and outside the country. The book introduces Vietnamese heritage to Japanese audiences while expanding opportunities for global dissemination.

The Japanese translation was handled by Shimizu Masaaki, with linguistic review by Dr. Kondo Mika and Professor Dr. Okada Masashi.

“The history of nation-building and defense is a continuous current flowing from the past into the present and future, ensuring the Vietnamese nation’s lasting existence. Sharing and promoting this narrative in Japanese is especially meaningful for Japanese people who love Vietnam. This is a valuable historical resource, helping second and third-generation Vietnamese children in Japan learn about their roots, while giving Japanese-language students access to historical content,” noted Le Thuong, President of the Vietnamese Association in Kansai.

First published in 2011, A brief illustrated history of Vietnam has sold over 200,000 copies in four language versions: Vietnamese, bilingual Vietnamese-English, Korean, and the latest bilingual Vietnamese-Japanese edition.

The book is a collaboration between authors Hieu Minh and Huyen Trang, illustrator Ta Huy Long, and historian Duong Trung Quoc, who provided editorial oversight and wrote the foreword.

This is the first panorama-style illustrated history book for Vietnamese children. It traces major events and milestones in Vietnamese history, from the legendary Hung Kings to the modern era.

With a unique and engaging approach aimed at sparking children’s interest in history and preserving traditional values, the book delivers rich historical knowledge in an accessible way. Its panoramic format symbolizes the flow of history, efficiently compressing a large volume of content into roughly 100 pages. The narrative is concise yet evocative, supported by vivid illustrations by Ta Huy Long that help young readers better understand and appreciate Vietnam’s history.

“When crafting the text, we aimed to tell Vietnam’s story as succinctly, clearly, and memorably as possible for young readers,” said author Hieu Minh. “We tried to encapsulate the key milestones in our nation’s historical journey. Where the words fall short, the illustrations step in as a trusted companion to convey what we hope children will take away.”

Tinh Le