The healing book genre is booming.

According to statistics from many publishing houses, in 2025, books on healing and inner balance are receiving particular attention and popularity from readers.

A vibrant flow

Specifically, according to the ebook and audiobook app Waka, the percentage of users searching for content related to healing, self-understanding, and emotional management has increased by more than 30% compared to the same period last year. For print books, many titles have also seen outstanding print runs and are continuously being reprinted. For example , "The Path of Transformation" and "Sharing from the Heart" by Thich Phap Hoa have sold over 100,000 copies; works by Venerable Hae Min (Korea) such as "Slow Down in a Hectic World," "Loving Imperfect Things," and "When Things Don't Go as Planned " are being reprinted repeatedly; while "Healing the Inner Wounded Child," "True Self-Care," "Happiness Every Day," and "This Pain Doesn't Belong to You " have also received significant attention.

Books on healing, emotional management, and other related topics have received considerable attention recently.

PHOTO: PUBLISHER

Speaking to Thanh Nien newspaper, a representative from Saigon Books, the publisher of many works in this genre, said: "In fact, in the past few years, books on healing and inner balance have become one of our strongest growth areas. Titles such as: 'No Annihilation, No Creation, Don't Be Afraid,' 'The Mindful Body,' the 'Suoi Thong' series, 'Healing Childhood Trauma, ' and most recently, ' By Your Side, Parents Are Always There …' have all been warmly received by readers, with some titles being reprinted multiple times, reaching hundreds of thousands of copies." Observations show that the themes of bestselling works often focus on emotional management skills, healing memoirs, methods for overcoming childhood trauma, improving mental health, and meditation.

Not only is the sales volume surprising, but the age range of the readers is also interesting. While previously this genre of books was mainly popular with young readers, the readership is now gradually expanding to include middle-aged readers. Statistics from Waka show that the number of readers in the 35-50 age group has increased significantly from 22% (in 2024) to 47% (in 2025), reflecting the need for balance and direction not only among young people. A representative from Saigon Books also observed a similar trend: "Initially, we thought this genre of books would mainly attract young people, especially those aged 18-30 who are facing pressure from studies, work, and relationships. However, survey results and sales data show that readers of healing books span a wider range of ages than we expected."

Side competitions are organized, thereby creating close-knit reading communities.

PHOTO: SAIGON BOOKS

He added: "Many readers aged 30-45, who are shouldering family and career responsibilities, also turn to these books as a way to find balance and recharge their energy. Even the middle-aged readership over 45, though smaller, maintains a steady interest, often linked to meditation, mindfulness, and profound life values. This demonstrates that the need for healing and finding inner peace is universal, regardless of generation."

A new approach

Regarding the reasons why healing books attract a large readership, a representative from Saigon Books stated: "What we clearly feel is that readers not only find empathy in these books, but also find tools and methods to apply immediately to their lives. Feedback left on sales channels and social media shows that they appreciate the relatable nature, applicability, and especially the feeling of being accompanied on their healing journey." It can be said that this empathy, along with the harmonious blend of sharing, theory, practice, and application, has helped these books avoid dryness and provide valuable knowledge that can be applied to everyday life.

Side competitions are organized, thereby creating close-knit reading communities.

PHOTO: WAKA

Mr. Nguyen Vu Phuong, CEO of First News book brand, noted that each age group has different needs and expectations. While readers aged 20-25 struggle to find their personal identity, the 26-35 group focuses on healing wounds and learning to manage emotions in their relationships with themselves and others, while the 36-40 group (especially women) have often experienced many upheavals and therefore seek profound experiences. It's easy to see that although they have different problems and need different solutions, alongside books specifically addressing each issue, healing lessons and messages are universal and applicable to everyone, explaining the outstanding sales figures.

Besides publishing books, the publishing industry is also trying to create reading communities, where readers can meet, chat, and share through the pages of books, thereby deepening the value of these books. As Saigon Books stated: "We don't just stop at publishing books; we also build multi-channel experiences: talk shows, workshops, digital content on TikTok, fan pages… helping readers apply what they learn directly to their lives." The Waka platform also takes a similar approach, conducting a campaign to reflect on the past six months, organizing interactive activities such as the Waka's Reset Diary reading experience sharing contest, and collaborating with content creators to spread the message of togetherness, ensuring no one is left behind...

Side competitions are organized, thereby creating close-knit reading communities.

PHOTO: WAKA

However, with a crowded market and a constant stream of new books being released, the healing and inner balance genre is likely to reach saturation. This requires the book and publishing industry to adopt a long-term perspective. Sharing their upcoming strategy, a representative from Saigon Books stated: "We don't chase trends; instead, we carefully select manuscripts, prioritizing works with practical value, scientific basis, or those containing profound experiences from the author. Furthermore, we not only bring in international titles but also collaborate with Vietnamese authors to create more relatable voices that accurately reflect the context and sentiments of Vietnamese people."

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bung-no-dong-sach-chua-lanh-185251012234853184.htm