Have you never been taken seriously because you feel that only kids understand you? That’s why Viet Comics don’t get much recognition at home or abroad. A few of my viewers in the last month are actually in Vietnam; so as tribute, let’s look at how they struggle for recognition.
Viet Comics: The Early Days
Before the 1900s, paintings from the neighboring China and India inspire local wood-block painters. These iên-hoàn họa serve as a means to teach philosophy and folktales. Girls have their own stories that teach them morals. Perhaps those same morals is what helps inspire later stories.
Like most comics, the medium officially begins in newspapers for satirical reasons. In this case it’s against the Indochinese Confederation in old An Nam. The most popular series at the time, Bang Banh – Xa Xạn – Lý Tét remains a popular topic in Vietnamese history. The series follows the misadventures of three men who help display the public’s fascination with Western culture. The humor even helps the common folk follow the newspapers; this makes it a means of sharing something for all classes to enjoy.
The Turbulent War Times
Unfortunately, during WWII those same newspaper series are canceled and replaced with propaganda; this includes Imperial Japan and later the Viet Cong. While there was still entertainment and education, these government party backed comics encourage military use for decades. Naturally this includes the movements against French settlements as well as the Vietnam (American) War.
Yet even during these times comics diversify to include romantic literature. Most of those adaptations come from knight tales and Vietnamese folktales. Along with these are imports from around the world. Too bad most of these foreign comics were pirated copies with Vietnamese translations.
Viet Comics In Division
During the latter war times, the Republic of (South) Vietnam continues advances with the press. With the press being free comes famous artists such as ViVi Võ Hùng Kiệt, a stamp illustrator whose comics are universally loved. Influenced from foreign media, themes like family and friendship get a renewal in these pages. Many of the protagonists are soldiers who speak with a sense of urgency. Examples include Ky’Anh by Đoàn Đức Tiên.
The Democratic Republic of (North) Vietnam on the other hand has to go through the communist regime for publishing. As such themes had to be fixed to keep with traditions. It certainly doesn’t help that Soviet art decorates the canvases. To their credit though, these lack of outside forces is what helps develop domestic animation.
Disjointed Unification
With the end of the Vietnam War, Unification Day brings the two sides together. If anyone is familiar with history however they know that it is the communist party that comes on top. While the Soviet Union provides aid and Republic technology helps develop printing, censorship dominates the medium. Most of what could come out are the usual fairy tales or war stories.
Viet Comics Reformation (By Borrowing)
After 10 years, the censorship ends with a few publishing houses reintroducing foreign elements into comics. However, most of these are less inspiration and more imitation. The most successful of which is Hesman by Nguyen Hung Lan, a knock-off of GoLion (Voltron). Even then, the Vietnamese government saw this as a means to encourage more comic creators.
Unfortunately, manga’s introduction to the country cause a downward spiral. Because of Viet Comics’ focus on moral philosophy and education, many people found it too kid friendly. With manga’s more diverse storytelling it quickly overtakes domestic comics. The Berne Convention practically solidifies manga’s stranglehold.
The Time For Change
With Viet comics having such a prejudiced reputation, a few artists attempt to improve the image. One in particular Than dong Dat Viet (Vietnamese Child Prodigies) tries to fight against things perceived as bad. The series is a massive success with sales and awards. Unfortunately that series and many that follow are not enough. In the words of a few artists “The drawing is only a means, the problem is the story I want to convey”. The creators want to display their identity but they mostly play conservatively.
Even attempts to bring adaptations of other tales like the One Thousand and One Nights are under fire. Not for anything like drugs mind you; but because some parents view this as having suggestive content. As such most Viet comics policies remain dogmatic; storytellers don’t take many chances, manga outcompetes local comics, most publishers don’t even license content.
It’s so bad, some organizations police newsstands for comics if content causes controversy; just the word for “poop” in popular picture books like Sat thu dau mung mu is considered an offense. The only comics that the Vietnamese government would rather publish involve propaganda for defense against China.
The Conditions of Viet Comics
The lack of internet use by publishers is a problem for the creators. Many people use scans for this very reason. Payment for these creators is a major problem, especially with a lack of software and creative teams. Most of the artists work as animators for low wages; so the next time you see a Vietnamese name in anime credits, give those workers respect.
Some creators decide to take matters into their own hands to circumvent finances. Many of them get their funding through Vietnam’s version of Kickstarter (or maybe Zoop?), Comicola. Some of Comicola’s other projects involve their own Webtoon platform for wider reach. With the success it has in Korea and Japan, it’s hard to blame them. On that note, Comicola also organizes events like “Vietnam Comics Day” every year on September 11. The purpose of which is to nurture the domestic comic community. Both new and old creators encourage in-depth writing with a Vietnamese identity.
Vietnam, Viet Comics Are Just Like You
However it’s still an uphill battle against perceptions. A few Vietnamese creations like Long Than Tuong have won awards abroad. Unfortunately the perception of being for kids pervades the older generations. It’s rather strange though; Vietnam is a culture of family allegiance, yearning for a good name, love and learning, and respect for others. At the end that’s what Viet Comics strive for.
Cảm ơn cho đến. As always remember to look between the panels.