Stories from those born in Year of Renewal
A collection of people born in the year 1987 have written about their lives in a book. It is simply titled 1987.
The book 1987 was introduced at the Vietnamese Women’s Museum late last week.
“Thirty years may not be such a long time, but it’s enough for many changes; a bowl of pho bo (beef noodle) went from VND2,000 (9 US cents) to VND45,000 (US$2); video/cassette tapes were replaced by YouTube; and the internet became an integral part of life,” said Mai Nhu Ngoc, writing under the pen name Nick M, chief author of the book.
The writers came from different backgrounds, including journalists, screenwriters, photographers, business people, singers, models and actresses.
Some of them are well-known, such as Miss Vietnam World 2007, Ngo Phuong Lan, singer Le Cat Trong Ly and musician Pham Toan Thang.
Although all authors are introduced at the beginning of the book, their stories remain anonymous because they want sympathy from readers who are the same age.
To mark the publishing of the book, Thang composed a song Thirty, which promises to become a hit.
The authors will present the book on November 26 in Hanoi and on November 18 in HCM City.
“It’s more than personal stories of 30-year-olds, it’s a story of a generation and an era in the Vietnamese society,” said writer Nguyen Truong Quy, an editor at the Tre (Youth) Publishing House.
Actress Chieu Xuan who gave birth to her first daughter in 1987, said 30 years ago, it was hard to find diapers, silicone nipples and various kinds of milk. Life then was so difficult, she said.
“As far as I know my daughter and her friends, people aged 30, who were born in the year of Cat, are smart, skilled and spirited and independent. They are also obstinate and adventurous,” said Xuan.
“They witnessed many historical changes in the country. They represent the young generation who are intelligent, active and open-minded about building up a modern society.”
The book will be available nationwide from November 20.