Hàn Mặc Tử

Hàn Mặc Tử

Hàn Mặc Tử (September 22, 1912-November 11, 1940) was a Vietnamese poet. He was one of the pioneers of modern Vietnamese romantic poetry, established the "disorderly" (loạn) and "crazy" (điên) schools of poetry. He was born Nguyễn Trọng Trí, at Lệ Mỹ Village, Đồng Hới District, Quảng Bình Province. Other pen names that he'd used include Hàn Mạc Tử, Lệ Thanh, and Phong Trần.

He was from a poor family, his father having died when he was young. He showed poetic talent from a young age. He had met Phan Bội Châu and was influenced by him. He died when he was only 28 years old, due to leprosy.

His love affairs with many women are reflected in his poetry - some of the women he'd met, some he had only corresponded through letters, yet others he'd only known by name.

His many romantic poems remain popular and he is regarded as an icon of romance. Many of his poems have been made into songs because of their romantic quality. Many are highly regarded and are used in secondary schools.