Kim Dong Publishing House launched two new graphic novels that shed light on overlooked chapters of Vietnamese diaspora history on May 11. Titled Memoirs of Overseas Vietnamese: Linh tho - Vietnamese Laborers in France During World War II and Memoirs of Overseas Vietnamese: Chan dang - Vietnamese Miners in the New World, the books form part of an ongoing project to develop comic literature in Vietnam.
A panel discussion themed Comics: When Culture and History Meet Art was also held the same day, emphasizing the power of visual storytelling in preserving collective memory.
The first volume recounts the journey of the “linh tho” or ONS, Vietnamese workers who were forcibly conscripted and sent to France between 1939 and 1945. These individuals played an essential role in sustaining French wartime industry while also forming early support networks for President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam’s revolutionary movement.
Sketches by artist Clément Baloup for his graphic novel projects.
The second volume revisits an earlier migration nearly a century ago, when thousands of Vietnamese farmers boarded ships from the northern port city of Haiphong to labor in islands across Oceania.
Both stories portray the resilience of Vietnamese communities abroad during turbulent periods in global history. Artist Clément Baloup, who authored both titles, emphasized that it was the strength of Vietnamese culture that helped these communities remain united and connected to their homeland. Through rich illustrations and emotional depth, the books revive the memory of a community long absent from mainstream historical narratives.
Many readers, who are interested in the story of the “linh tho” workers, attend the panel discussion.
According to Vu Thi Quynh Lien, Deputy Director and Editor-in-Chief at Kim Dong Publishing House, visual storytelling resonates strongly with younger readers and brings forgotten historical episodes closer to contemporary audiences.
The timely release of these works in 2025, a year marking several major national milestones, adds greater significance to the effort of preserving and honoring the lived experiences of overseas Vietnamese.
Translated by DO HUONG
VNQD