Picture a Vietnamese-American storyteller who conjured a haunted house that pulses with history and heart—meet Trang Thanh Tran! This rising star in young adult fiction has captivated readers with their debut novel, She Is a Haunting, a chilling blend of gothic horror and cultural exploration. With a knack for weaving identity, family, and supernatural thrills, Tran is redefining what it means to tell stories from the Vietnamese diaspora.
The Making of Trang Thanh Tran
Born and raised in Philadelphia in a bustling family of Vietnamese refugees, Trang Thanh Tran grew up surrounded by stories of food, belonging, and resilience. Their early life was shaped by the vibrant chaos of a large household, where Vietnamese culture—from fragrant phở to ancestral altars—was a constant presence. Initially pursuing degrees in sociology and public health, Tran made a bold leap, abandoning academia to chase their passion for storytelling in Georgia. A love for horror movies, sparked by sneaking forbidden zombie flicks as a kid, fueled their creative fire, leading to workshops like the Writing Barn’s Rainbow Weekend and Tin House’s YA Fiction Workshop.
Trang Thanh Tran’s Unforgettable Stories
Tran’s debut, She Is a Haunting (2023), is a New York Times bestseller that sets a high bar. Set in Đà Lạt, Vietnam, the novel follows Jade Nguyen, a queer Vietnamese-American teen grappling with her estranged father and a French colonial house with a terrifying appetite. Tran’s prose drips with atmosphere, blending visceral horror—think bugs crawling where they shouldn’t—with poignant themes of colonialism, identity, and family fractures. The house itself narrates parts of the story, a bold choice that amps up the eerie vibe.
In 2025, Tran released They Bloom at Night, another indie bestseller that dives into body horror and self-discovery, exploring how a monster learns to love herself. Their contribution to the anthology Night of the Living Queers showcases their versatility, delivering queer horror with emotional depth. Tran’s style is unmistakable: lush, sensory details, complex characters, and a fearless embrace of Vietnamese culture, from family dinners to diaspora struggles, all wrapped in speculative thrills.
Why Trang Thanh Tran Matters
Trang Thanh Tran is more than a horror writer—they’re a cultural trailblazer. By centering Vietnamese-American experiences in YA fiction, they offer readers a mirror for navigating identity in a world that often demands conformity. Their work resonates with teens and adults alike, tackling universal fears of not belonging while grounding stories in specific, authentic cultural contexts. Awards like the William C. Morris Debut Award finalist nod and the Bram Stoker Award for She Is a Haunting cement their impact. Tran’s stories remind us that horror can be a lens for healing, reflection, and reclaiming power.
- Born: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in a Vietnamese refugee family
- Key Works: She Is a Haunting (2023), They Bloom at Night (2025), Night of the Living Queers
- Awards: William C. Morris Debut Award finalist, Bram Stoker Award winner
- Fun Fact: Obsessed with iced coffee and zombie movies
About Trang Thanh Tran
Ready to get spooked and inspired? Grab She Is a Haunting and dive into Trang Thanh Tran’s hauntingly beautiful world of gothic horror!