Kim Van Kieu
by Nguyễn Du
Kim Van Kieu, or The Tale of Kieu, is Nguyen Du's Vietnamese verse epic of 3,254 lines in luc bat metre, dated to around 1820. It tells of Thuy Kieu, who sells herself to save her family; Le Xuan Thuy's English prose version appeared in Saigon in 1964 and was reissued by Silk Pagoda in 2006.
- Editions tracked
- 1
Which edition do you have?
Editions
We have not yet researched the issue points for this book. If you know how to tell the first from later printings, tell us and we will credit you once it is checked against a second source.
Awards, adaptations and setting
Adaptations
- The Tale of Kieu film
In print
- Editions recorded
- 1 on Open Library, 1 in English
- Wikipedia
- Articles in 18 languages
From Wikidata and Open Library, both CC0. A prize or a new adaptation often lifts demand for the first printing.
More by Nguyễn Du
CollectorsNot sure which edition you have, or want to tell other collectors about your copy?
Ask a question
Write a review
Read it or own it? Share what Kim Van Kieu is like to read or collect.
Know what you are looking at
How to Identify a First Edition
To identify a first edition, check that your copy is the first printing of the first edition. Read the copyright …
Read the guide →6 min readBook Condition Grading: Fine to Poor Explained
Book condition grading uses a six-step trade scale: Fine, Near Fine, Very Good, Good, Fair and Poor. Collectors grade the …
Read the guide →7 min readDust Jackets Explained: Why the Jacket Drives a Book's Value
For most books published since the 1920s, the original dust jacket carries a large share of the value, often most …
Read the guide →Frequently asked questions
How many editions of Kim Van Kieu are there?
We track 1 edition of Kim Van Kieu. Each has its own page with how to identify it.
Has Kim Van Kieu been adapted?
Yes, including The Tale of Kieu (film), according to Wikidata.
When was Kim Van Kieu first published?
Kim Van Kieu by Nguyễn Du was first published in 1820.
Where these facts come from
- The Tale of Kieu, Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)
- The Tale of Kieu (Q1301168), Wikidata (wikidata.org)
Every fact on this page was checked against the sources listed. Checked 26 October 2026. Reviewed by Harriet Ellis; read how we check facts.
More pictures