VietNamNet Bridge – Prose works recently issued by female writers are leaving a strong impression on readers in HCM City.

Gender politics: More than 2,000 copies of Trai Tim Dan Ba (The Heart of Women), a book written by female journalist Nguyen Quynh Huong of the Phu Nu (Women) newspaper, were sold during the week of its release last month.

Le Minh Ha's 174-page Con Nho Nhau Khong (Can We Remember) is a collection of prose works featuring reviews about her native city, Ha Noi, that she wrote while living in Berlin.

In her book, Ha Noi and its people in the 1970s are still seen through fresh eyes.

Ha's words are simple but meaningful which evoke readers' childhood memories of times with their family and friends.

The HCM City-based Tre (Youth) Publishing House, one of the country's prestigious printers, was not sure that the book would be successful but knew that urban readers would find it attractive.

They have also printed a collection of 75 prose works by Kieu Bich Huong, Dan Ba Yeu Thanh Pho (Woman Loves the City) last month, which has attracted both readers and critics.

The 344-page book includes short stories capturing the culture and lifestyle of Viet Nam and Belgium in Rotselaar, where the author lives with her husband and children.

The book is available at online bookstores including Atlazbooks.

In 2012, Huong released her first book, Khi Vo Dong Chong Tay (Eastern Wives and Western Husbands), on the love between women of the East and men of the West.

The 198-page book was among the market's best-selling books.

According to a report from two bookselling websites, Tikiweb and Vinabook, books by female writers, including Huong and Ha, have all been best-sellers in recent years.

"Female writers add something new that have gained from their life and experiences to a market dominated by traditional writing styles. Young readers, particularly women, found themselves on the pages of their books," said Nguyen Thi Ngoc Thuy, a 32-year-old fan of Ha.

Thuy is reading Trai Tim Dan Ba (The Heart of Women), a book written by female journalist Nguyen Quynh Huong of Phu Nu (Women) newspaper.

Printed by the Association of Writers' Publishing House, the 187-page work includes writings featuring love and life.

More than 2,000 copies of the book were sold within a week after release.

"My friends and I love reading prose works by female writers. I expect them to take the market by storm," Thuy said.

VNS