RESOURCES

Below, we share a selection of articles and translations that open different paths into The Tale of Kiều.

Last updated: [June 11, 2026]

Translations & Background Materials

The Tale of Kiều (Truyện Kiều) has been translated into over 20 languages; below are the titles of a few to get you started – along with selected articles, videos, and podcasts. Some of the translations are open access, others require host access or purchase. Additions, corrections, or removal requests are welcome via mail@tracingkieu.net.

Open Access

Vietnamese

  • Nom Foundation: Thư viện Kiều. Digital transcription and resources, including chữ Nôm and quốc ngữ.
  • Vietnamese editions in quốc ngữ are widely available in print and online.

English

  • Phan Huy MPH, “The English Version of Truyện Kiều” (2013) – Chapter-by-chapter translation published on WordPress. Read online.
  • Thanh Vuong, “The most faithful and lyrical English translation of The Tale of Kiều by Vuong Thanh”. A newer translation published in serial form (ongoing). Read on Medium.

French

  • René Crayssac, Kim‑Van‑Kiéou: le célèbre poème annamite de Nguyên‑Du (1926). Full scan with OCR available via the Bibliothèque nationale de France. Read on Gallica.

Published Editions (purchase / library access)

English

  • Huỳnh Sanh Thông, The Tale of Kiều: A Bilingual Edition of Truyện Kiều. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1983. Landmark verse translation with extensive introduction and notes; bilingual edition with Vietnamese text.
  • Timothy Allen, The Song of Kieu. London: Penguin Classics, 2019. A contemporary English translation.
  • Bình Nguyễn, The Tale of Kiều. Hanoi: Nhã Nam / Nhà Xuất Bản Hội Nhà Văn, 2023. New translation By Hanoi-based writer and translator.

German

  • Irene and Franz Faber, Das Mädchen Kiêu von Nguyên Du: Das vietnamesische Nationalepos übertragen ins Deutsche. Berlin: Rütten & Loening, 1964. Reissued in 2015 by artist Claudia Borchers and Truong Hong Quang, Hanoi: Thế Giới. Book edition available via the artist); digital editions also available for purchase via online shops.

French

  • Nguyễn Văn Vĩnh, Kim-Vân-Kiều. Hanoi: Éditions Alexandre de Rhodes, 1942–43. Two volumes with illustrations by Mạnh Quỳnh. Bilingual edition; first prominent French translation of the epic, known for its literal approach prioritizing precision over elegance.
  • Nguyễn Khắc Viện, Kiêu – les amours malheureuses d’une jeune Vietnamienne au XVIIIe siècle. Bilingual French–Vietnamese edition. Paris: L’Harmattan, 1999.
  • Xuân-Phuc & Xuân-Viêt, Kim-Vân-Kiêu (coédition Unesco ; traduction conjointe Xuan-Viet). Prose version. Paris: Gallimard, 1987.

Spanish

  • Rafael Lobarte Fontecha, La historia de Kiều. Madrid: Ediciones Hiperión, 2013. Bilingual edition, based mainly on French translations by Nguyễn Văn Vĩnh, and Xuân-Phuc & Xuân-Viêt, and the English translation by Huỳnh Sanh Thông.
  • John D. Phan, “The Tale of Kiều.” Instructional video, Asia for Educators, Columbia University.
  • Kevin Pham and Yen Vu, Nam Phong Dialogues 5 – The Tale of Kieu. Listen on Spotify, et al.
  • The Sea Turtle, “Our Book Collection.” YouTube review of various foreign-language editions of The Tale of Kiều. In Vietnamese, with automatic subtitles available.
  • Kenneth Nguyen, The Vietnamese with Kenneth Nguyen, “431 – Can You Fight Destiny? Viet History Makers – Kevin Pham,” Listen on Spotify, YouTube, et al.
  • John D. Phan, “Poetic Structure & Genre in The Tale of Kiều.” Instructional video, Asia for Educators, Columbia University.
  • Z.M. Quỳnh – “Truyện Kiều: The Heirloom of Dissidence” (2022) – Essay. Read at Diacritics.
  • Thanh Vuong – “Translating Kiều Faithfully: Restoring Nguyễn Du’s Voice in English” (2025) – Essay. Read on Medium.
  • Trương Hồng Quang – Bilingual DE–VI project site (2015) – Excerpts, notes, and links. Visit site.
  • Trương Hồng Quang – “Zur deutschen Nachdichtung des Versepos „Truyện Kiều“ („Das Mädchen Kiêu“) von Irene und Franz Faber.” Blog post. Visit site.
  • Nguyen Phuong Ngoc – “Comparative look at French Kiều translations” (2011) – Journal article. Read on OpenEdition.
  • Phạm Xuân Nguyên – “Kỷ niệm 200 năm ngày mất thi hào Nguyễn Du (1820–2020): Lịch sử một câu nói” (2020) – Article. Read online.
  • The website www.boikieu.com brings the Vietnamese folk practice of consulting The Tale of Kiều for guidance into an accessible digital form. Developed by Professor Trần Văn Quang of Oklahoma State University (OSU). In Vietnamese.