Vinh Quyen Tang

’Twelve Harbours’ is a tribute to the contributions of Vietnamese women across nearly seventy turbulent years of war and upheaval in the last century. Blending historical realism with semi-legendary tales once passed down through oral tradition, the book traces the lives of five central female characters as they navigate the French colonial era, the Japanese occupation, and the eventual partition of Vietnam.

Through a tapestry of bittersweet, often ironic anecdotes, marked by sorrow, resilience, and occasional indignity, the narrative offers insight into the enduring spirit of those who lived through these tumultuous times. The novel explores how colonial rule pushed an entire society to the brink of moral collapse, while spotlighting those, especially women, who quietly and resolutely preserved the social fabric. It also touches on the political legacy of Emperor Gia Long, inviting reflection on whether his unification of the country was a masterstroke of leadership or a tragic misstep that opened the door to foreign domination

Set against the backdrop of the 1954 mass migration from North to South, the book also recounts personal stories shaped by regional tensions, linguistic divides, and unexpected moments of tenderness and connection. In its latter chapters, the novel delves into efforts at social reform in South Vietnam after 1954, from elections and moral legislation to women’s movements and literacy campaigns, bringing to life a world caught between tradition and transformation.