Vietnam in Indonesia festival

VO THI NHU MAI – A QUIET FLAME AMONG FELLOW ARTISTS

nasiraijaz May 14, 2025

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Vo Thi Nhu Mai, a renowned poetess and writer from Vietnam and based in Australia, made her debut appearance, in a literary gathering held in Indonesia

By Eva PETROPOULOU Lianou

At the recent literary gathering, Vo Thi Nhu Mai made her debut appearance, not with loud declarations, but with a quiet presence that left a warm impression. As a first-time participant, she spent much of the time observing and absorbing the atmosphere around her. Though she spoke little, her attentiveness and gentle smile spoke volumes.

During the program, while others were caught in the bustle of performances and interactions, Võ Thị Như Mai moved gracefully between people, offering small yet thoughtful gestures. One such act stood out: she personally handed each participant a small card with their name written on it, a simple but touching effort to acknowledge and welcome everyone. It was a beautiful moment of connection, reminding us that care and presence can sometimes be more powerful than words.

Her demeanour was soft-spoken, but her actions carried sincerity. Many noted her warm energy, quietly friendly, respectful, and keen to understand the nuances of the gathering. In a space often vibrant with creative voices, Vo Thi Nhu Mai’s quiet kindness was like a calm note in a symphony, and her presence undoubtedly enriched the experience for all who were there.

[Vo Thi Nhu Mai, born on March 18, 1976, in Quang Tri, Vietnam, is a poet, literary translator, and dedicated educator currently living in Dianella, Western Australia. Holding a Master’s Degree in Literature, she has been a primary school teacher in WA since 2006, after completing her postgraduate studies at Edith Cowan University. Her teaching career began in Vietnam as an English teacher at Ngo Quyen High School in Ba Ria – Vung Tau (1998–2003), and since moving to Australia, she has worked at Dryandra Primary School and currently at Maylands Peninsula Primary School. Deeply involved in community service, she volunteered from 2015 to 2023 at Hung Vuong Vietnamese Language School, where she also played a crucial role in securing government funding for community education programs. As a literary figure, Vo Thi Nhu Mai has published four poetry collections in Vietnamese, with a fifth forthcoming, and her poems have been set to music and performed widely. Her translations of poetry, prose, and short stories have introduced Vietnamese literature to international readers, including bilingual editions of works by notable Vietnamese poets and writers published in Romania, Canada, and beyond.]

The literary festival itself was a rich and colorful celebration of poetic voices from around the world. Held in a welcoming space filled with music, laughter, and multilingual readings, it brought together poets, translators, musicians, and friends of literature to share work, ideas, and cross-cultural conversations. Each segment of the program was crafted with care, blending each cultural literature with international voices, allowing a beautiful dialogue of language and soul.

Vo Thi Nhu Mai, though initially quiet, contributed meaningfully to this shared space. She took to the microphone and read her original poem “The Song of Life” in both Vietnamese and English, offering the audience a sincere glimpse into her poetic world. Her delivery was gentle yet confident, her words soaring with listeners across language boundaries. It was a moment of quiet power, her voice steady, and her poem luminous.

In another generous act of cultural exchange, Võ Thị Như Mai also read a poem titled “Enjoy” by Greek poet Eva Lianou Petropoulou, further knitting the threads of international friendship. Her choice to present not only her own work but also honor another poet reflected the very spirit of the gathering: connection through words, across cultures, in mutual respect. For a first-time participant, Võ Thị Như Mai left a lasting impression, not just with her poems, but with her grace.