Han Mac Tu

Francis Nguyễn Trọng Trí, pen name Hàn Mặc Tử (September 22, 1912 – November 11, 1940), was a Vietnamese poet. He was the most celebrated Vietnamese Catholic literary figure during the colonial era.

He was born Nguyễn Trọng Trí, in Lệ Mỹ Village, Đồng Hới District, Quảng Bình Province. His pen names included Minh Duệ, Phong Trần, Lệ Thanh, and finally Hàn Mặc Tử, by which he is known today. He grew up in a poor family, his father having died when he was young. He showed poetic talent at a young age. When he met Phan Bội Châu, he received encouragement and praise that made him well known. ) 1936, the only collection published during his lifetime Chơi Giữa Mùa Trăng (Playing in the Moon Season) Xuân Như Ý (Ideal Spring) Ðau Thương (Suffering) Thượng Thanh Khí (Fresh Air Above) Cẩm Châu Duyên (Cẩm Châu Coast). Đây thôn Vĩ dạ (Here is Vĩ Dạ hamlet).

Poetry in English Hàn Mặc Tử's poetry has not appeared in credible English translations. His complex late style compounds the problems related to translating Vietnamese poetry into English; while the purity of his early style presents another set of challenges. A bilingual Vietnamese–French choice of his poetry was published in 2001 by French scholar Hélène Péras and Vũ Thị Bích (Le Hameau des roseaux , Aryufen).

Legacy Hàn Mặc Tử is celebrated as Vietnam's first prominent Catholic modern poet, with works like "Đây Thôn Vĩ Dạ" in school curricula since 1989.