Le Xuan Giang, a veteran translator of Hungarian literature into
Vietnamese, has been awarded the Gold Cross Medal, one of Hungary’s highest
honours.

Proud moment: Translator Le Xuan Giang shows his Gold Cross Medal, one of Hungary’s highest honours for his contribution to spreading Hungarian literature in Viet Nam. — File Photo

Giang was the only foreigner among 54 recipients of the medal
this year in the fields of culture, education, health and science, and he became
the first Vietnamese to win the honour.

Returning to Hungary after 24 years in order to accept the
medal, Giang said he didn’t feel strange because this beloved country had become
a part of his life.

Giang has translated into Vietnamese such Hungarian works as
The Eghe Stars by Gardonyi Geza, which became a bestseller in Viet Nam in 1972.
In subsequent years, he successfully translated dozens of works of classic and
modern Hungarian literature.

Giang was born in the central province of Ha Tinh in 1937, and
went to Hungary in 1956 to study at the Budapest University of Technology. He
returned to Viet Nam and worked as an engineer, but his love for literature
drove him to undertake the translation of Hungarian books into Vietnamese.

The Hungarian Government has highly appreciated Giang’s
tireless and effective contribution in spreading Hungarian culture in Viet Nam,
said Hungarian Ambassador to Viet Nam Vizi Laszlo.

In granting the medal, Hungary also wished to encourage young
translators continue Giang’s work, Laszlo said.

VietNamNet/Viet
Nam News