The third Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day kicked off on the evening of April 17 at the Temple of Literature in Hanoi, with various activities to encourage the culture of reading.

From now until 21 April, publishers and distributors will organise numerous promotional programmes for readers, both in person and online, to motivate them to buy and read books.

The event, jointly organized by the Ministry of Information and Communications and the Municipal People's Committee, will feature more than 40,000 book titles from 60 publishers, publishing houses and technology companies.

Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung speaks at the opening ceremony. Photo: Ha Thanh/The Hanoi Times

In his opening speech, Minister of Information and Communication Nguyen Manh Hung said that Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day not only honours those who write and make books, but also celebrates the readers and revives the culture of reading.

He hoped that the publishing industry would contribute to building the national knowledge system, developing a team of intellectuals, and serving the industrialization and modernization of the country.

Through a series of events, the publishing industry can illustrate the motto "where people are, there is the development of reading culture, where there are readers, there are books".

According to Ha Minh Hai, Deputy Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee, the Hanoi government always pays special attention to the development of reading culture in order to nurture the thousand-year-old cultural tradition.

In recent years, the culture of reading in the capital has undergone significant developments and changes. Reading has become an increasingly common habit in social life. The publishing industry has confirmed its position and importance in contributing to the construction of a learning society and building an elegant and civilized Hanoi people.

"We are aware of the role of books and reading culture in socio-economic development and the progress of cultural industries, and we are contributing to the gradual implementation of the comprehensive viewpoint of the Politburo's Resolution No. 15, which says that culture and people are the goal, foundation, driving force and important resources for the development of the capital," Hai said.

Deputy Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Ha Minh Hai said the city government always focuses on developing reading culture. Photo: Ha Thanh/The Hanoi Times

On the same day, as part of the series of activities in response to the event, a book fair was held at Hanoi Book Street, Hoan Kiem District, with the theme "Nurturing Knowledge - Creating the Future".
The event will include seminars and book launches, as well as art and cultural performance programs to provide readers and visitors with a variety of experiences.
Activities in response to Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day will be organized in schools and universities to stimulate and develop reading movements in the community, especially among young people.
The annual Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day, which was held for the first time in 2022, is considered a festival for book lovers, helping to disseminate the value of books and reading culture in the community.

The book fair attracts many people to come and read books at favorable prices. Photo: Ngo Minh/The Hanoi Times