HA NOI – Vietnamese would have a greater chance to read Russian books and vice versa, translators said at a ceremony to promote the Viet Nam-Russia literature Fund.

The fund was established by Vietnamese and Russian writers and translators to create a bridge between the two literatures, to raise money to popularise their literatures and to support translators.

Martyr Dang Thuy Tram's diary in Russian will be introduced in July as a result of co-operation between the two countries' translators. Vietnamese novels by Ma Van Khang and Khai Hung will be translated into Russian as well.

The writers and translators had volunteered to contribute money to run the fund instead of waiting for the State and organisations, translator Vu The Khoi said.

"I expect that the fund will support young translators," Khoi said. "Veteran translators like Thuy Toan, the fund's director, and I are at the age of 75. I look to the next generation." – VNS