Vietnamese fiction novel published in North America

The book tells the story of D76 unit soldiers, from their beginnings as cassava diggers to their departure from Laos to the battlefields of the Central Highlands in Vietnam.

D76 was assigned a special task that had nothing to do with combat. They were told to go around Laos to dig up cassava, slice it, dry it and bring it to the base to feed the hungry soldiers in their base. It was their first mission during the first few months of war.

But these soldiers were starving themselves when they went out hunting for food in the cold forest. Though they didn't participate in the fight, many died of malaria.

'Hungry Forest' cover. Photo courtesy of Ukiyoto Publishing

The book, first published in Vietnam in 2016, was well-received back home.

The English version was translated by Vo Thi Anh Tuyet, Don Bumstead and Cao Tran Viet Nga.

Both the paperback and e-book versions are being sold on Amazon and Ukiyoto Publishing's website.