Author Nguyen Nhat Anh's works are an integral part of many students' childhoods. Hoang Quoc Quyen, Project Director of Hope School, stated that many students admire the author's books and wish to meet him in person. Understanding this desire, the school invited the author from TP HCM to Da Nang for a meet-and-greet on the morning of 7/12.
To welcome him, a group of students and teachers visited Do Do market to film a music video for the song "Tu Do". The song, by Phan Manh Quynh, gained fame through the film "Mat Biec" (directed by Victor Vu), adapted from the book of the same name. The village of Do Do in the film captivated audiences with its peaceful atmosphere and poetic scenery. The Do Do market in the film was recreated using the setting of Tay Giang market in Binh Sa commune, Thang Binh district, Quang Nam (now Thang Truong commune).
The video begins with excerpts from Nguyen Nhat Anh's novel "Mat Biec", read by a student: "My village has a market named Do Do market. For a long time, the market's name became the village's name. Do Do market only meets at night. During the day, the market is deserted, with only the old banyan tree in the middle and empty, dilapidated stalls where children often gather to play-fight".
The market featured in the book is a real place, located in Binh Que commune, Thang Binh district, Quang Nam (now Thang Phu commune), where author Nguyen Nhat Anh lived for his first eight years. Inspired by the market's description in the book, the students decided to visit the actual location to understand the source of the author's inspiration.
To verify Nguyen Nhat Anh's descriptions, the students eagerly asked vendors about the market's operating hours. At another moment, a student asked: "The book says children often gather to play-fight in the mornings, is that true?"
In addition to the "Tu Do" music video, the students prepared skits inspired by Nguyen Nhat Anh's books, to be performed at the meet-and-greet.
 |
The group of children taking commemorative photos during the trip. |
Author Nguyen Nhat Anh, 71, is a native of Thang Binh, Quang Nam. Since 1973, he has lived in the South, studying pedagogy and graduating in 1976. Besides five poetry collections, over 30 comic books, and 12 film scripts, he has published more than 100 prose works for teenagers, young adults, and children. The author has also published three sports commentary collections and over 50 love advice books under various pseudonyms. He is recognized by the Vietnam Record Book Center as the country's most prolific author of children's literature.
Nguyen Nhat Anh's books have been adapted into films multiple times, including "Ao Trang San Truong" (1994), based on the story "Nu Sinh", the television series "Chu Be Rac Roi" (1998), "Kinh Van Hoa" (2004), and the feature film "Mat Biec" (2019).
Hope School, a boarding school for children orphaned by Covid-19, was inaugurated on 9/8/2025, nearly two years after construction began. It is located in Ngu Hanh Son ward. The school does not directly organize teaching or curriculum development but places students in FPT schools from grade 1 to 12 and higher education levels within the FPT City Da Nang area. Hope School's mission is to provide boarding, care, and support, enabling students to integrate, socialize with peers, and find motivation for their studies.
By Phuong Linh
Photos, video: Hoang Quoc Quyen
