These activities are organized in response to Reading Culture Day (April 21) and World Book and Copyright Day (April 23).

Hanoi students visited the Hanoi Book Street. Photo: Pho sach Hanoi

In response to the 2nd Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day, Hanoi Book Street management organized a drawing contest titled "Books: For You and Me".

The contest was held on April 9 at Hanoi Book Street in Hoan Kiem District to celebrate books' value, meaning, and importance and enrich children's mental life.

According to the event organizer, students from primary and secondary schools in Hoan Kiem District and Hanoi are participating in the contest with paintings on the themes of "Drawing about your favorite book," "The importance of reading in your study," and "Children's dreams," among others.

As part of the book celebration program, the "Zero-dong Book Fair 2023" will last until the end of April 9 at the Vietnam Youth Academy, 3 Chua Lang Street (Dong Da District, Hanoi).

The book fair brings together domestic publishers such as Nha Nam, Skybooks, Youth Publishing House, and AZ Vietnam and a wide range of book categories, including psychology, domestic and foreign literature, and skill development books.

There will be free books available for attendees of the fair. Numerous other specials are also available, including the sale of books per weight for VND49,000 (US$2) per kilogram (for roughly 3 to 6 books), and the same-priced books for VND10,000 (US$0.5).

AZ Vietnam stated that the "Zero-dong Book Fair" is conducted annually in April to encourage reading among the general population, particularly young people.

Young book enthusiasts with tight budgets expressed a lot of interest in the promotions at the event, which included book discounts, gift-giving, and same-price book sales, according to the publisher.

Many free or cheap-priced books are available at the “Zero-dong Book Fair” in Hanoi. Photo: Dan Viet

On April 6, the "Book: Awareness - Innovation - Creation" Festival 2023 was organized by the Thanh Xuan District People's Committee.

Speaking at the festival, Dang Khanh Hoa, Vice Chairman of Thanh Xuan District People’s Committee, said that the festival aims to encourage people to read, collect, and build up their bookcases and libraries, contributing to the formation of Vietnamese reading culture among the community.

"The remarkable advancement of information technology has been beneficial, giving people access to a wealth of knowledge. However, books are still invaluable treasures of knowledge for those who love them,” she stated.

The second Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day 2023 is underway from March 16 to April 30, with various activities to promote reading habits among the community.

The annual event is organized in response to the project “Fostering a Reading Culture in the Community, with an Orientation to 2030”, initiated by the Prime Minister.

In recent years, a wide range of activities has been held nationwide to promote and develop the reading culture, including the festival, which has become an annual cultural activity that has attracted wide appreciation and interest from the community and achieved positive results.

Hanoi students enjoy reading at the Book Reading Festival held in Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi. Photo: Hong Thai

It not only honors the reading culture and contributes to creating a "learning society", but also serves as an opportunity for people to improve their understanding of the rich national culture.

National Book Day was first celebrated on April 21, 2014. Later, in 2021, the Vietnamese Government signed Decision No.1862/QD-TTg on organizing Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day annually nationally.

According to the decision, the event aims to reaffirm the role and importance of books in improving knowledge, skills, thinking, and education.

Since then, Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day have been celebrated annually with book fairs and forums in major cities and provinces.

People at a book stall on the Hanoi Street Book, or December 19 Street, Hoan Kiem District, where is a rendezvous for book lovers in the capital city. Photo: Pho sach Hanoi