In this talk from the “Reading Truyện Kiều Anew” series, Dr. Bùi Trân Phượng offers a nuanced re-reading of the character Thúy Vân, often considered a minor or “bland” figure in Truyện Kiều. Contrary to traditional interpretations, Dr. Phượng emphasizes that Thúy Vân embodies a quiet depth and emotional intelligence that’s often overlooked. She addresses various misconceptions: that Thúy Vân is heartless for not weeping at Đạm Tiên’s grave, or that she passively accepts the arranged marriage with Kim Trọng. Instead, Dr. Phượng suggests that Thúy Vân simply reacts to life differently than Kiều—not with passionate displays, but with reserved compassion and a deep understanding of duty, familial ties, and emotional restraint.

She argues that Thúy Vân is not a passive recipient of fate, but a quiet force who helps resolve the story’s emotional knots, especially in the final reconciliation scene. Rather than being a foil for Kiều’s tragedy, Thúy Vân represents another kind of womanhood—one that is steady, empathetic, and quietly powerful. The talk encourages readers not to judge characters by modern emotional expectations or extremes of romantic sacrifice, but to see the full range of women’s emotional realities in Nguyễn Du’s world. Dr. Phượng closes by reminding us that many “Thúy Vân” figures exist in real life—people who love deeply but speak little—and they, too, deserve to be seen.