Vietnam to Hold Exhibition on Ancient Books

Vietnam will hold Mar 6th a one-week exhibition on ancient books that were published domestically and abroad between the 7th century to prior to 1945, state media reported March 3.  Viewers will be provided with drafts and signatures of great writers including “Kiep Hong Nhan” by Nguyen Cong Hoan, “Chua Dan” by Nguyen Tuan, “Dao Duc Kinh” by Dao Duy Anh and “Viet Nam Nhan Than Giam” by Hoang Cao Khai. Particularly, viewers will receive the copy of ancient newspapers published on Lunar New Year like Nam Phong, Tri Tan and Thanh Nghi.  The first newspaper in Vietnam was Le Bullentin Efficbl de Lexpedition de la Conchichine published in Sept 29, 1861 in French while Gia Dinh Bao became the first Vietnamese-printed weekly newspaper by Vietnam scholar Truong Vinh Ky. Truong Vinh Ky or Petrus Ky (1837 - 1898) was the first Vietnamese journalist who was knowledgeable about linguistics, translation and both natural and social sciences. The scholar, who was fluent in 15 western languages and 16 oriental languages, was rated among 18 contemporary erudite scholars like famous writer Victor Hugo, historian Renan, lecxicographer Littré.