The Nû Huán Discourse in Vietnamese Literature from Confucian Morality to Feminist Pedagogy and Cultural Negotiation

Abstract

This article offers a critical examination of the evolution of Confucian-based discourse on n? hu?n (female moral instruction) within Vietnamese literature, tracing its development from medieval Vietnamese literary texts to modern and postmodern feminist reinterpretations. Drawing on gender theory and poststructuralist thought, particularly the insights of Foucault, Butler, Kristeva, and Showalter, this article examines n? hu?n as a discursive structure that has played a pivotal role in shaping gendered identities throughout various periods in Vietnamese literary history. Through a focused reading of representative works, ranging from N? t?c di?n âm and Chinh ph? ngâm to contemporary fiction by Nguy?n Huy Thi?p, Nguy?n Ng?c T?, and Y Ban, this study analyzes how Vietnamese literature has both challenged traditional gender hierarchies and given voice to emerging expressions of female autonomy. By placing modern Vietnamese writing in dialogue with East Asian and global feminist discourses, the study demonstrates how Vietnamese texts convey resistance and negotiation in culturally embedded ways. The findings demonstrate how literature opens up possibilities for reimagining femininity in relation to both national history and global feminist thought. The study further highlights the pedagogical value of feminist reinterpretations of Vietnamese literature in fostering critical thinking and cultural awareness.

Received: 02 September 2025 / Accepted: 25 October 2025 / Published: 05 November 2025