From the harrowing realities of war to the quiet beauty of everyday life, packing a couple of these books about Vietnam in your suitcase for your trip offers a window into this unique nation.
I’ve visited Vietnam twice; once to the north and once to the south. Although I knew a little about the Vietnam War, it wasn’t until I was in the country that I learned of the scale of some of the atrocities committed, the pivotal role of Vietnam’s colonial past with France, as well as the deep divide between north and south; the difference between Hanoi and Saigon is night and day.
In my opinion, Vietnam is a country that requires context. The cuisine is phenomenal, the scenery is otherworldly, but I think the complexities of culture and history are a tangled web worth unravelling to better understand this nation and its people. Here are just a few ideas…
I’ve included Amazon links to each recommended book, but you can also see my post on where to get e-books and audiobooks for free. Note that the prices may be given in dollars, but the link will take you to your local Amazon store.
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Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links. This means I earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase using this link, but at no cost to you.
Books About the Vietnam War
1. The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien
The Things They Carried is a collection of interwoven stories that explores the psychological impact of war on American soldiers during the Vietnam War. O’Brien masterfully blends fact and fiction, creating a powerful testament to the human cost of conflict.
“They carried the land, the idea of home”
2. The Sorrow of War by Bao Ninh
A raw and unflinching account of the war from a North Vietnamese soldier’s perspective, The Sorrow of War delves into the psychological trauma and moral complexities of war, offering a counterpoint to the American narrative.
“We were young men, filled with revolutionary fervor, yet terrified all the same.”
3. Dispatches by Michael Herr
A fragmented and visceral memoir that captures the chaotic and surreal experience of war, Dispatches‘ vivid prose and unconventional structure immerse readers in the sensory overload of combat.
“The border between civilians and combatants seems to vanish.”
4. The Quiet American by Graham Greene
A classic novel of political intrigue and moral ambiguity set in 1950s Vietnam, The Quiet American explores the complexities of colonialism and the clash of Western and Eastern ideologies.
I read this book on my first trip to Vietnam, to Hanoi, and the experience of reading it while in the country was part of what inspired this blog—I highly recommend it.
“I entered Indo-China from the West. Perhaps if I had come the other way, I might have reached different conclusions.”
Beyond the Battlefield
5. The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen
A gripping spy thriller that follows a Vietnamese communist double agent living in America after the war, The Sympathizer explores themes of identity, loyalty, and the lingering effects of war.
“Sometimes the hardest part is not letting go, but waiting.”
6. Paradise of the Blind by Duong Thu Huong
Paradise of the Blind powerful novel that delves into the social and political turmoil of Vietnam in the postwar era. Huong’s unflinching portrayal of corruption and injustice offers a scathing critique of the government. I also included this book in my list of books about Southeast Asia.
“The truth is a wound that never heals.”
Contemporary Voices
Vietnam’s new generation of writers is offering up fresh perspectives:
7. The Mountains Sing by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai
The Mountains Sing is a moving historical novel set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, following the lives of two sisters separated by the conflict.
“War destroys everything, even the memories of peace.”
Nguyễn has also authored Night, Again, a collection of short stories that explores the lives of ordinary Vietnamese people grappling with love, loss, and the challenges of modern life—though I couldn’t find a link to it on Amazon, unfortunately.
8. Catfish and Mandala by Andrew X. Pham
Catfish and Mandala is a powerful memoir that explores the author’s experience as a Vietnamese refugee growing up in America. Pham grapples with themes of identity, belonging, and the legacy of war.
“The past is a river that flows through us.”
9. No Mud, No Lotus by Thích Nhất Hạnh
No Mud, No Lotus by Thich Nhat Hanh teaches that the key to true happiness is acknowledging and transforming suffering, rather than avoiding it. Although this isn’t a book about Vietnam itself, this list would not be complete without including Buddhist monk and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh’s teaching.
The book introduces practical ways to stay in touch with suffering without becoming overwhelmed, emphasising that when we understand how to suffer mindfully, we suffer less. Through this wisdom, Hanh invites us to recognise the beauty and joy in everyday life, reminding us that happiness and suffering are interconnected.
“When we know how to suffer, we suffer much, much less.”
10. On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong is a poignant, lyrical novel written as a letter from a son, Little Dog, to his illiterate mother. Through this letter, Little Dog unearths his family’s painful history, rooted in the aftermath of the Vietnam War and their immigration to America.
The novel explores themes of love, trauma, race, class, and identity, capturing the complexity of their relationship while reflecting on larger societal issues such as addiction and violence.
Vuong weaves personal and collective stories, illustrating the healing power of storytelling amidst the silence imposed by hardship and alienation. The novel also delves deeply into the intersections of masculinity, queerness, and immigrant identity.
“Let no one mistake us for the fruit of violence—but rather, that violence, having passed through the fruit, failed to spoil it.”
More Books About Vietnam
Of course, this list of various books about Vietnam still only scratches the surface. If you have any books you think should be added to this list, let me know in the comments.
And if you’ve read any of these, please let me know if you liked them!
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