Prof. Ngo Minh Hien focuses on the manifestations of nature and nature symbolism in modern (mostly 20th century) Vietnamese literature. While working with the research group, she will explore human-animal relations in late colonial, Socialist and post-revolutionary Vietnamese literature and follow the changes and developments in these relations in different political and social contexts. Specifically, Hien will engage with domestic animals: water buffaloes, pigs, chicken, ducks, dogs and cats. These animals were, and still are, essential components of Vietnamese rural system, food culture, myth and religion.