Travelogues and travels (Vietnam)

For some years now, I have received Vietnamese travellers’ messages sharing their experiences or looking for experiences beyond sightseeing.

I credit accessible local language publishing for inspiring people to travel in such a way. Vietnamese publishers are always looking for interesting stories. A traveller can tell her stories from her own context. Such long-form writing also captures a richer range of situations and feelings compared to what one can say on a vlog or Instagram post. The reader is encouraged to seek similar experiences. The reader also learns about the challenges that their compatriots face with visas and language.

I think Taiwanese (who got inspired by San Mao’s adventures) will relate to this. I just hope that this lasts for a while; it’s probably more profitable to sell translations of foreign authors.

For many of us in English-speaking regions of Asia, a local traveller will have a harder time convincing a local publisher— most travelogues in our book shops tend to be from international publishers featuring British or American writers and written from their cultural and social lens. There is limited space for perceptive travellers in our midst to put out their stories in long form and inspire others.