For the first time the great poet Nguyen Du’s “Truyen Kieu” has been adapted to coloring book.

Drawn by young artist Bao Huyen, better known by his pen name Reiko Miori, the book features some of the milestones in Thuy Kieu’s life in pictures and some of most famous verses.

In 3,254 verses “Truyen Kieu” (The Tale of Kieu), depicts the eventful life of fictional character Kieu, a talented and beautiful woman in the 18th century.

She has to sell herself into marriage with a man without knowing he is a pimp and then becomes a prostitute. Nguyen Du’s epic was inspired by a 17th century Chinese novel called Jin Yun Qiao.

Since achieving the first commercial success last year, coloring books such as Secret Garden have become a popular trend.

Many adults say they find coloring an alternative to meditation.

The book, priced at VND79,000 (US$3.50), can be bought at the HCMC Book Fair, at Le Van Tam Park until Sunday.