The Dictionary of Nôm Characters with Quotations and Annotationsby Prof. Nguyễn Quang Hồng marks a remarkable advancement in the study and interpretation of Nôm characters, shedding light on the creativity and independent spirit of the Vietnamese people.

Drawing from 124 ancient works and various classical texts from different periods, fields, and genres, the author has meticulously structured the dictionary entries, providing definitions and, more importantly, annotations that trace the origin of each Nôm character with vivid, well-documented examples.

The dictionary is systematically and scientifically structured into two columns: one column identifies the characte's form, pronunciation, and encoding, while the other analyzes the structure of the Nôm character and provides its meaning in specific contextual settings.

Particular attention is given to variants of Nôm characters. A single entry may include one or multiple variations of a Nôm character, with different forms recorded from specific textual sources. This emphasis on variant forms is a noteworthy highlight of this dictionary.

As a reference tool, the dictionary is arranged alphabetically according to the Vietnamese language, enabling users to easily look up Nôm characters and their variants. For unfamiliar characters, readers can refer to the Index of Nôm Characters by Radicals to locate the corresponding page where the character's pronunciation is recorded.

This work is exceptionally outstanding, showcasing profound erudition in its insights into the pictographic and phonetic-symbolic nature of Nôm characters, as well as the intricate combination of phonetic and semantic elements. These discoveries not only aid in “decoding” the treasure trove of Nôm texts left by our ancestors—an invaluable resource waiting to be explored—but also contribute to a deeper understanding of Vietnamese language and culture throughout historical development, paving the way for future research in Vietnamese linguistic and cultural studies.

The work is recognized as a benchmark in terms of materials, methodology, and content for scientific research. It is an indispensable reference for scholars and educators engaged in the study of Vietnamese scripts, language, and culture, both domestically and internationally.

This digital version of The Dictionary of Nôm Characters with Quotations and Annotations was prepared by Lê Văn Cường, Lương Thị Hạnh, Trần Khải Hoài, and Alexandre Lê in the Vietnamese Nôm Preservation Foundation's Nom Na office in Hanoi, working with Lee Collins in California. Prof. Nguyễn Quang Hồng provided guidance in resolving a number of issues that came up in the conversion of his print version of the text to digital format.The digital version is based on the print publication from Nhà xuất bản Khoa học Xã hội in 2014. This digital version of the dictionary has been transferred from its original home on the Vietnamese Nôm Preservation Foundation Website to the Digitizing Việt Nam Website.

In 2022, the president of Vietnam honored The Dictionary of Nôm Characters with Quotations and Annotations with the Ho Chi Minh Award for Science and Technology in acknowledgment of its profound scholarly value.