Dang Quy Dich, 73, has been writing for decades mainly about Binh Dinh, which is renowned for its martial arts and for several pre-eminent generals who were born in the province. Do Minh Thu and Huynh Van My reports.
The old researcher seems to sink like a stone in the sea of books that fill his home; he doesn't use a computer or typewriter. He relies solely on pen and paper.
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Dang Quy Dich says being a writer is not a choice, it is a calling. |
The scholar has been writing books in such a manner for decades and during that time has penned dozens of titles, which include translated books, dictionaries and academic works.
"I'm 73 years old, time and tide wait for no man, but I have so many things I still want to write about," he says.
Dang Quy Dich's writing is mostly about Binh Dinh. The area is renowned for the brands of martial arts that were developed there and the several pre-eminent generals who were born in the province, says Hoang Chuong, director of the Centre for Research and Preservation of Vietnamese Culture, who was born in Binh Dinh Province as well.
"His wide knowledge and passion for working and love of his homeland should be highly appreciated," Chuong says.
Dich started writing as a contributor for a newspaper in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue in 1961 and worked for several newspapers until 1970.
He travelled to several places during his time as a journalist and published two books Phong Canh Va San Vat Binh Dinh (Sights and Specialities of Binh Dinh Province) in 1969, for which he won the National Prize, and Nhan Vat Binh Dinh (Outstanding Men of Binh Dinh Province) in 1971.
"During that time, I taught during the day, took field trips during holidays and wrote at night," he says.
Dich stopped teaching in 1975, but he has an incredible passion and willingness to write. Since 1975 he has worked as a freelancer, teacher, librarian, farmer and brick maker.
Although he had to scrape out a living during the day, every night he would indulge in reading, translating old Chinese scripts and writing about his experiences.
"I wrote because it made me happy, not because I thought my words would ever be published. No publishing houses were familiar with my work at that time."
Dich's writings remained dormant until 1998, when Thanh Hoa Publishing House agreed to print his books.
"Royalties from these books were not much, but I was encouraged to continue," Dich shares.
Most of his works are about Binh Dinh Province, where he was born and grew up. "The land was full of beautiful sights, cultural heritage and the areas' pre-eminent heroes provided me with endless inspiration," he says.
During his field trips, he had several close encounters with death during the American War.
"I have to write to let people know about my homeland before the first-hand sources are lost," he says.
Dich says he has many memories, but he chooses to focus on the good ones.
Once in 1963, Dich visited Mai Xuan Thuong (1860-87)'s grave. The man was a patriot and leader of a revolutionary movement during the French War. Dich sat next to the grave and read the epitaph, while remembering Thuong's poems before he fell asleep.
"I was awakened by a group of soldiers who at first didn't know if I was a local or an enemy," Dich says, "After that people began gossiping about the event and pretty soon everyone knew that I was obsessed with collecting material about Binh Dinh's celebrities."
His book Nhan Vat Binh Dinh was sold in Ha Noi thanks to a contact.
"One day in 1976, I came home to find a soldier standing in front of my house. He explained that he read my book and came to meet me and borrow some documents," Dich recalls. "It made me happy to know that my works were loved and useful to people."
Recently, Dich has contracted several diseases due to his old age. Dich sometimes feels tired but he continues to write at least three pages every day.
He wakes up at 4am every morning and exercises before he begins his day and starts writing.
"If I am unable to write three pages, then I force myself to make up for the lost words the next day," he shares.
Dich has many drafts which haven't been published because he lacks the funds to publish them himself. The unpublished material includes Kinh Thi Dien Ca (Explanation of a Chinese Book of Poetry), a 2,500-page book about the 119 pagodas in Binh Dinh Province and a 3,000-page dictionary that concerns poetic phrases and prose.
"I have enthusiasm to write but that's all I can do, I don't know how to bring these drafts to the readers," he says.
Dich has worked painstakingly throughout his whole life. He jokes that many of his drafts will never be published.
"If I had a chance to be born again, I would still select a poorly furnished house and inside many books are stored."
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