TRẦN ĐẠI THẮNG (MICHAEL CHANG)

Born in 1973 in Hoa Binh. Founder of Dong A Book Company and Ca Chep Bookstore. With nearly 30 years devoted to the publishing industry, Tran Dai Thang is recognized as one of the pioneers who reintroduced the concept of art books and collectible books into contemporary Vietnamese publishing. 

Background and design:

• Graduated from the Faculty of Graphic Design, University of Industrial Fine Arts in 1995.

• Has worked as a book cover designer since 1997, creating thousands of book covers for publishing houses such as: Women's Publishing House, Writers' Association Publishing House, Literature Publishing House, People's Army Publishing House, People's Police Publishing House... His designs consistently emphasize aesthetics and the intersection with applied arts.

Career:

• Founded and has led Dong A Book Company since November 2004.

• General publications: Collaborated in publishing and distributing more than 2,000 titles across fields such as encyclopedic knowledge, history, culture, literature, and children's books.

• Special editions (S books): Initiated the S100 and S500 series-limited editions of classic works such as: A Brief History of Vietnam, The Tale of Kieu, The Godfather, The Divine Comedy...

• Events: Organized the exhibition celebrating 20 years of Dong A's S book series in Hanoi, January 2025.

• International outreach: Brought Vietnamese art publications to participate in the International Biennial CODEX Book Art Fair & Symposium (USA) in 2024 and 2026.

• Personal philosophy: To create books not just for reading, but to be displayed and cherished as works of art.

Authorship and manuscript development:

• My telling - Everything Comes from Books: A record of more than 30 years in the book profession.

• Layers of Memory: Written about the life and career of Thai painter Vichit Nongnual.

• The Illustrated History of Vietnam: Initiated and organized the implementation of a project combining historical documentation and visual arts (Winner of the A Prize at the 8th National Book Awards).

• Ho Chi Minh - A Pictorial Biography: Conceived the idea, organized the collection of visual materials, and compiled content about the life of leader Ho Chi Minh.

Artistic companionship:

• June 2017: Opening of Dong A Gallery in Hanoi with an exhibition of 33 artworks by 8 contemporary artists and the launch of the art photo book Third Floor.

• December 2017: Exhibition of illustrations for The Tale of Kieu (by artist Thanh Chuong & 14 others) and Luc Van Tien (by artist Nguyen Cong Hoan) in Hanoi.

• December 2017 – January 2018: Exhibition The Ferment of Woman with paintings by artists Nguyen Duc Huy and Dang Thi Thu An in Hanoi.

• February-March 2018: The Tet Paintings exhibition (31 works by 18 contemporary artists) in Hanoi.

• March 2018: The Stifled & Suffocated exhibition with paintings by artist Nguyen Cong Hoai in Hanoi.

• January 2019: The Tet Paintings exhibition (57 works by 30 artists) in Hanoi.

• February 2019: The Face of Asia exhibition by artist Vichit Nongnual in Hanoi.

• May 2021: Display of 19 illustrations for The Old Clown by artist Thanh Chuong in Hanoi.

• December 2021: Display of 12 illustrations for The Female Pickpocket by artist Hoang Phuong Vy in Hanoi.

• July 2022: Display of illustrations for The First Wind and Hanoi's Thirty-Six Streets by artist Dao Hai Phong in Hanoi.

• March 2025: Display of the Hoang Phuong Vy painting collection of collector Luu Ngoc Son in Ho Chi Minh City.

• May 2026: Exhibition Layers of Memory by artist Vichit Nongnual in Hanoi.