Emphasis should be placed on the content of e-books to keep up with the trends of young people.

Speaking to the World and Vietnam Newspaper, National Assembly Deputy Bui Hoai Son, Standing Member of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Education, stated that to develop a reading culture, attention should be paid to e-book content that suits the interests and needs of young readers.

National Assembly Deputy Bui Hoai Son believes that more attention should be paid to developing mobile applications and e-book reading platforms. (Source: National Assembly )

According to statistics from the Publishing Department ( Ministry of Information and Communications ), the average Vietnamese person reads 2.8 books per year. This figure is significantly lower than in other countries in the region and around the world. In the list of 61 countries with the highest reading rates in the world, Southeast Asia includes Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia, but Vietnam is conspicuously absent.

National Assembly Deputy Bui Hoai Son emphasized that the development of the Internet, smartphones, and other digital media has created a range of different entertainment options for young people. These forms of entertainment are often more diverse, attractive, and accessible than traditional reading. Therefore, many solutions are needed to attract young readers and help them connect more closely with books.

Raising the intellectual level of the population through a reading culture.

Recently, there has been much debate about whether or not reading culture is deteriorating and whether visual and auditory culture is overshadowing reading culture. What is your perspective?

I've noticed that, with the widespread use of technology, especially the internet and digital media, many people have become less interested in reading, particularly traditional printed books. Reading culture is gradually disappearing and being replaced by more accessible forms of entertainment such as online videos, video games, or other entertainment apps.

We are witnessing a growing dominance of visual and auditory culture over reading culture. Modern society promotes convenience and speed, making watching videos, listening to podcasts, and consuming multimedia content more prevalent, leading to less time and attention devoted to reading books and traditional reading culture.

However, in our country, I still see many people who are passionate about reading and watching information to build their own knowledge. We also need to accept that the current reading culture will undergo certain changes. Instead of reading books being the most important source of knowledge for building awareness, morality, and lifestyle, people can now choose between reading books, watching movies, listening to podcasts, playing video games, and many other forms of entertainment. In fact, many literary works have been adapted into films or television series. Conversely, some films are also based on literary works, helping to create a richer cultural exploration journey for each individual.

I believe that reading culture is meaningful for each individual and society. It is a way to learn and acquire new knowledge. Through reading, people can discover and understand new aspects of the world, from history and science to culture and art. This helps improve language skills, foster creativity and logical thinking abilities. At the same time, it creates an entertaining experience, allowing readers to escape reality and enter new worlds, discovering interesting stories and exploring multifaceted characters.

Moreover, many books carry messages about ethics and other lofty humanistic values, helping readers better understand these values. From there, they can develop personal growth and broaden their thinking, as well as help solve problems in life, or guide them towards setting goals and shaping their future, making a significant contribution to personal and social development.

Young people have fewer opportunities to read books. (Source: VGP)

How do you assess the importance of raising the intellectual level of the population and creating a crucial foundation for the development of each nation through the development of a reading culture?

I believe that raising the intellectual level of the population through the development of a reading culture is a crucial way to shape and promote the sustainable development of each nation. Firstly, a reading culture provides people with knowledge and information ranging from history, science, and culture to social and political issues, helping to create an informed community, which is the foundation for sustainable development.

Reading fosters creativity and critical thinking, thereby creating a dynamic and innovative society, encouraging innovation in various fields, from art to science and business. At the same time, reading enhances ethical awareness and helps build a harmonious, loving, and united society; it improves individual language and communication skills, thus facilitating integration into the international community and effective communication in social environments.

In particular, a reading culture helps each individual develop personally and professionally, from expanding knowledge to developing skills and abilities necessary for their work and life.

Digital transformation to attract young readers.

Despite the efforts of publishing and book distribution companies, young people today seem to have lost interest in reading. Why do you think that is?

In my opinion, the development of the Internet, smartphones, and other digital media has created a wide range of entertainment options for young people. These forms of entertainment are often more diverse, engaging, and accessible than traditional reading.

Furthermore, modern life brings pressure and busyness to young people, from studying and working to social and recreational activities. The less time they have, the fewer opportunities they have for reading. However, in some cases, reading is not considered a priority in certain families or under specific circumstances, which may leave young people feeling less motivated and inspired to read.

Alternatively, young people may not find books that suit their interests and needs. They may also not fully understand the importance of reading for personal development, critical thinking, and success in life, leading to a lack of interest in reading.

Therefore, having recognized the importance of reading culture, it is essential to support and encourage it from publishers, families, schools, and the community, creating favorable conditions for young people to read. This is not only good for them but also for the development of the country.

If culture is considered the "soul and essence" that shapes the image of each nation, then reading culture also needs to be established with a position commensurate with its importance in the development process of a country. And first and foremost, it must start with the youth?

That's right, young people are the future of a country. By encouraging reading from a young age, we are sowing the seeds for their personal and intellectual development. Reading habits and interests from childhood can last a lifetime.

Furthermore, a reading culture needs to be built from the ground up, starting with young people. If young people develop a reading habit, they will pass this value on to the next generation, thereby creating a continuous chain of reading culture in society.

The benefits of a reading culture extend beyond academic success and future life achievements for individuals; they also contribute to the prosperity of a nation, encompassing education, culture, economics, and society. Therefore, I've always been fascinated by a saying: "Behind every child diligently reading lies the bright future of a nation."

E-books are predicted to be the trend of the times. With the increasing number of young readers today, implementing digital transformation activities and applying technology will attract young readers. In your opinion, what fundamental solutions are needed to develop a reading culture in the era of digital transformation?

To foster a reading culture in the digital age and attract young readers through e-books, fundamental solutions are needed. First and foremost , e-book content should be developed to suit the interests, needs, and lifestyles of young readers, such as novels, comics, self-help books, etc., with visually appealing illustrations, and autobiographies of famous personalities.

Secondly , focus more on developing mobile applications and e-book reading platforms. Create user-friendly, easy-to-use, and flexible mobile applications and online platforms for reading e-books. Provide features such as cloud storage, bookmarking, social media sharing, and book recommendations based on personal preferences.

Thirdly , enhance the marketing and promotion of ebooks by utilizing digital outreach and marketing strategies to promote ebooks to younger readers. Use social media, online advertising, and other digital marketing campaigns to generate awareness and increase engagement with readers.

Fourth , develop interactive features in ebooks such as audio, animations, videos, and other interactive activities to create a more engaging and enjoyable reading experience for young readers.

Finally , organize promotions, discounts, and rewards for young readers when they use the e-reading app, complete reading goals, or participate in online reading communities.

I believe that by implementing these solutions, we can create an engaging environment for young people to participate in and develop a reading culture in the digital age.

Thank you, Member of Parliament!

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/dbqh-bui-hoai-son-can-chu-trong-noi-dung-sach-dien-tu-de-bat-kip-xu-huong-cua-gioi-tre-267172.html