Join hands to spread reading culture

BRAND IDENTITY OF T THANH N I BOOKS

Mr. Le Hoang - Member of the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Publishing Association, Director of Ho Chi Minh City Book Street Company Limited - said that the current reading culture of Vietnamese people, especially young people, is still low, even very low when compared to countries in the Asian region and developed countries. "It can be said that our reading culture is in a "lowland" and we need to quickly join hands," he commented.

In 2024, according to the publishing industry, printed books will reach 597.2 million copies per 101.11 million people. Notably, textbooks account for 77.35% of the number of copies, meaning only 22.65% of the remaining books are other types of books. In terms of economy , the total revenue of the publishing industry in 2024 will reach 4,500 billion VND, equivalent to the average spending on books of Vietnamese people of 44,500 VND/person for the whole year, equivalent to only 1 bowl of pho or 2 cups of ordinary coffee.

Chung sức lan tỏa văn hóa đọc - Ảnh 1. — Writer Nguyen Nhat Anh at the book signing event *of The Neighbor Girl and the Four Candies* on December 7, 2025 in Hanoi

The reason, according to Mr. Le Hoang: "At the individual level, reading culture is made up of three core elements: First and most important is reading habit. Without habit, all other elements are very difficult to form. Second, reading books has purpose and passion. When people read books to learn, to develop themselves, to see the real value and benefits from books, they will gradually form a love, inspiration and motivation to read. Third, reading books effectively means that readers must have reading skills, know how to take notes, systematize, draw lessons, values and knowledge from the pages of books. Only from these three elements can a true reading culture be formed. To do so, each individual must have a reading culture".

Regarding Thanh Nien Bookcase, Mr. Le Hoang commented: "This is a unique publishing model, bearing the unique identity of Thanh Nien Newspaper, contributing positively to the publishing industry and young readers. The uniqueness first comes from the way works are selected through writing competitions, specialized columns, and writing campaigns. Thanks to that, the works printed in books have all undergone strict quality screening. The source of works from the press is also topical, the breath of life, diverse in topics and perspectives, vividly reflecting many fields such as economics, culture, history, education , and society."

Chung sức lan tỏa văn hóa đọc - Ảnh 2. — Writer Phuong Huyen *(blue shirt)* brings books to Truong Sa

"Not only serving readers, Thanh Nien Bookcase should target young people with writing ability - young writers who are on a journey of dedication to words", Mr. Le Hoang emphasized. He also proposed to continue maintaining specialized books, creative campaigns, long-term columns and continue to launch books that have been and are being made in the past, as well as promote promotional activities, both online and through book launches, exchanges, and coordination with the Youth Union, Student Association, Young Entrepreneurs Association, etc. to spread and reach readers.

Reading books helps me understand myself better.

According to Miss Luong Thuy Linh, many young people are increasingly interested in many different types of books such as skill development, inspiration or career development. However, the habit of reading deeply and reading slowly to contemplate still needs to be nurtured more. For her, reading is not only to acquire knowledge, but also a way for each person to dialogue with themselves, to understand themselves better in a world of constant change.

Luong Thuy Linh believes that the launch of Thanh Nien Bookcase has a positive and humane meaning. This is not only a space to display works through writing competitions, special topics, and writing campaigns, but also a place to spread the spirit of reading to the community, especially young people. Books are present in open, close and accessible spaces, making reading more natural. Luong Thuy Linh believes that spaces like this will contribute to rekindling the inspiration for reading, so that books become familiar companions in daily life.

According to Miss Luong Thuy Linh, the digital age brings opportunities for quick access to information but also poses significant challenges to today's reading culture. Maintaining the habit of reading books, especially printed books, becomes a proactive choice, helping each person "slow down" to think more deeply, selecting sustainable values among the many contents of social networks.

"I hope that in the future, Thanh Nien Bookcase can incorporate more activities such as author exchanges, book reading sessions, sharing about reading habits or inspirational stories revolving around books. When books are associated with experiences, emotions and connections, I believe that reading culture will not only be preserved but also develop more strongly and sustainably in the hearts of readers," the beauty queen expressed.

Journalist Trung Nghia - Ambassador of reading culture of Ho Chi Minh City:

Thanh Nien Books - a new "book touchpoint" for readers

We are living in an era of information explosion, social networks, short videos, online games and entertainment platforms that have penetrated our lives. However, reading is still a sustainable path of knowledge that helps shape personality, develop individuals and form the spirit of "lifelong learning". In my opinion, the Thanh Nien Bookcase has met those requirements well, becoming a practical solution to help young people maintain and develop reading habits in the technology era.

Thanh Nien Bookshelf brings many good and valuable books closer to readers, becoming a new "book touchpoint" for readers in daily life. In addition to traditional paper books, I also suggest that bookshelf should apply technology to support reading, because technology is not a rival of books but an "extension" to help read publications on platforms: eBooks, audiobooks and use AI to track reading progress, quickly look up new concepts..., at the same time, increase the interaction between book authors and book readers through many online forums, share feelings through social networks.

Thanh Nien Bookcase also creates excitement for reading by actively organizing connecting activities: book review contests, 30-day reading challenges, discussions with authors, and thematic workshops. A reader can easily give up, but reading in the community is always more interesting and gives deeper understanding. Every young person who shares their feelings on social networks is immediately an ambassador spreading books. Turn Thanh Nien Bookcase into the center of all book-related activities - a place where all young people can come to exchange, learn and spread the spirit of reading, bringing good things and truths into real life. The combination of reading - practice - sharing will create motivation and real needs for young people in acquiring and enjoying knowledge through books.

Thanh Nien Bookcase was born in the digital transformation era, where reading is no longer limited by paper. But no matter what form it takes, the core value of books remains unchanged: helping us understand ourselves, others and the world. The reading culture of young people will thus develop thanks to the joint efforts of the community.

Le Cong Son (recorded)

Exchange and launch of Thanh Nien Bookshelf

The event to exchange and launch Thanh Nien Bookcase - Thanh Nien Books took place at 9am on December 10 at Ho Chi Minh City Book Street, with the participation of the Editorial Board of Thanh Nien Newspaper, representatives of the leaders of the Vietnam Publishing Association, the Vietnam Journalists Association, the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Committee of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Information, and invited guests who are ambassadors of reading culture: journalist Le Hoang, writer Nguyen Nhat Anh, Miss Luong Thuy Linh (Miss World Vietnam 2012), MC Phuong Huyen. The speakers and readers "discussed" spreading reading culture in the digital age, with the participation of two artists Hoang Trang - Nguyen Dong.

Thanh Nien Bookshelf has a wide selection of topics: economics, culture, history, education, health, science, press reports, good short stories from special pages and columns published in Thanh Nien Newspaper and award-winning articles in writing competitions organized by Thanh Nien . On this launch occasion, there are 5 books released including: Continuing life with children, Living beautifully - The miracle of kindness, The city I love, Collection of good short stories by Thanh Nien Newspaper and Vietnam's Aspiration (photo) .

Thien Anh

Thanh Nien Newspaper would like to express its sincere gratitude to the sponsors and partners of Thanh Nien Books : Phuong Trang Passenger Transport Joint Stock Company, ABC Edu Education System (Dong Nai), and Ho Chi Minh City Book Street Company.