Vietnam's 'Viết & Đọc' Literary Magazine to Cease Publication

The literary magazine 'Viết & Đọc', published by the Vietnam Writers' Association Publishing House, will cease publication after its Summer 2026 issue. The information was announced on the website of the Vietnam Writers' Association on the evening of August 6. According to the post, the publication was initiated by poet Nguyễn Quang Thiều based on an idea from journalist Nguyễn Trung Dân. The magazine first launched its Autumn 2018 special issue under the name 'Viết & Đọc'. It was published four times a year, corresponding to the four seasons, and has released 31 issues to date. Contributors to the magazine included poets, writers, painters, translators, journalists, and the management of the Vietnam Writers' Association Publishing House, such as Nguyễn Quyến, Lê Thiết Cương, Nguyễn Trung Dân, Đào Hải Phong, and Dương Minh Long. Those involved in the publication assess that 'Viết & Đọc' has "step by step created a certain position in the contemporary Vietnamese literary life" over the past eight years. By the Spring issue this year, the organizers and implementers of the work had held numerous meetings with a spirit of innovation, aiming to enhance quality. However, according to those involved, all plans had to be halted due to "an incident that no one expected." "The organizers and implementers of this publication wish to express their gratitude and apologize to all who have contributed to the birth and development of this publication," reads the announcement on the Vietnam Writers' Association website. Literary critic Phạm Xuân Nguyên, one of the individuals involved in organizing and editing the publication since 2019, stated that the Summer special issue is expected to be released after August 15. The cessation of 'Viết & Đọc' marks the end of an era for Vietnam's literary scene. In Vietnam's one-party system, publications are generally subject to government censorship, and even literary works with significant social influence can be under official scrutiny. While the specific details of the "incident" leading to the magazine's closure remain undisclosed, it may spark further discussion regarding the scope of freedom of speech and expression in Vietnam.