Outline of the Literary Process of the Cochinchina Region (Đàng Trong)

Abstract

Though emerging rather later compared with the Đàng Ngoài (Tonkin) literature, the Đàng Trong (Cochinchina) literature was not ever an inferior “lagger” but proud of its significant values and identities. In Vietnamese literature history, literature in the south region in general and that of the Đàng Trong in particular was most of the time pioneering new experiments through various forms of literature including the academic Nôm, Vãn and Tuồng (in the medieval period) and newspaper academic journal, short and long stories and adaptation (in pre-modern period), with which it expanded influences on the literature of the north. Having solid understanding about the literature of the south is crucial to have a comprehensive knowledge about the Vietnamese diverse literature.