Frankfurt Book Fair - a journey of connection and vision for Vietnam to 2030

In 2025, at the 77th Frankfurt Book Fair, Vietnam continued to affirm its position with a 100m² book space, located in Hall 5.1 - a convenient central location in the exhibition area. More than 20 publishers and cultural organizations attended, bringing more than 1,200 books in many fields.

Vietnamese delegation at the 77th Frankfurt Book Fair, 2025.

The Frankfurt Book Fair - "The Capital of the World Publishing Industry" - has long been a place of convergence of human knowledge and culture. With a history of more than half a millennium, this annual event is not only the largest copyright market on the planet but also a global forum for exchange, creativity and dialogue of publishers, authors, translators and readers from more than 100 countries.

For Vietnam, the journey of presence in Frankfurt in recent years has been a persistent and steadfast process, from the role of a country coming to observe and learn to the position of active participation, proactively introducing, connecting and contributing to the world reading culture space. Each book fair season is a small but sure step forward on the path to bringing Vietnamese books closer to international readers.

In particular, 2023 marks a turning point when Vietnam becomes one of about 40 countries with a "geographical" indication at the Frankfurt Book Fair, with a fixed position and national brand recognition in the exhibition space. This is an international recognition of the continuous, systematic and professional efforts of the Vietnamese publishing industry over the years.

In 2019, Vietnam's booth with the theme "Hanoi - City for Peace " made a strong impression, introducing more than 1,000 books and images of friendly and humane Vietnamese people to friends around the world. When the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, the book fair had to switch to online format, but Vietnamese publishing units still proactively participated, tested the electronic copyright transaction model, learned how to make digital books and audiobooks - opening a new stage of technological integration.

Many exciting activities were exchanged and responded to by publishers in Vietnam.

In 2022, the theme "Translation - Translation in all dimensions" affirms the bridging role of language, and at the same time suggests a sustainable direction for Vietnam: if Vietnamese books want to reach the world, it is necessary to invest in translation, copyright and editing according to international standards. Since then, many domestic publishers have begun to implement plans for translation, bilingual printing and annual copyright exchanges.

2023 is an important milestone. The Frankfurt Book Fair celebrates its 75th anniversary, and Vietnam is officially recognized on the world pavilion map. The Vietnamese delegation is the largest ever: nearly 100 delegates, 4 exhibition booths, thousands of books from publishers Kim Dong, Tre, National Politics Truth; many famous companies and bookstores, such as Thai Ha, Nha Nam, Dong A and major publishers such as Fahasa, Phuong Nam...

In addition to the exhibition, Vietnam also had many meetings with partners such as Oxford, Cambridge, Springer... opening up international academic and copyright cooperation. Also in this year, Ho Chi Minh City invited the Frankfurt Organizing Committee to attend the Book Street Festival, showing the spirit of expanding cultural cooperation between Vietnamese localities and the world's leading publishing center.

Kim Dong Publishing House is one of the units actively participating in the Book Fair.

In 2024, Vietnam will return with the theme "Books - The Bridge of Culture", bringing more than 1,000 books from 23 publishers. The exhibition booth is designed with a strong Vietnamese character, blending tradition and modernity, attracting a large number of visitors. Notably, Vietnam and the Frankfurt Organizing Committee signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), laying the foundation for becoming a Guest of Honor by 2030 - a goal that demonstrates the strategic vision of the Vietnamese publishing industry.

In 2025, at the 77th Frankfurt Book Fair, Vietnam continued to affirm its position. The opening ceremony of the Vietnam Book Space took place on October 15 with the participation of leaders of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Vietnam Publishing Association, the Department of Publishing, Printing and Distribution, the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports and the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports, and representatives of international and ASEAN publishing organizations.

This year's Vietnam Book Space has an area of ​​100m², located in Hall 5.1 - a convenient central location in the exhibition area. More than 20 publishers and cultural organizations participated, bringing more than 1,200 books in many fields: literature, history, culture, children, science, digital books and audiobooks.

Nearly 100 Vietnamese delegates were present, demonstrating a proactive spirit and aspiration for integration. Speaking at the opening ceremony, the leader of the Vietnamese delegation emphasized the spirit of dialogue, cooperation and creativity, considering the Book Fair a symbol of creativity, dialogue and cultural cooperation, where cultures meet, listen and enrich each other, and at the same time, express the aspiration to bring Vietnamese books closer to global readers.

The Frankfurt Book Fair 2025 has the Philippines as Guest of Honor under the theme “The imagination peoples the air.” The Philippines pavilion is designed as a “cultural archipelago,” a metaphor for Southeast Asia’s linguistic diversity, identity, and creative vitality.

Part of the exhibition space of Vietnam.

Several new programs were introduced, including "Book-to-Screen Day" connecting books with cinema; "Children's Books in a Fragile World" discussing the role of children's books in a changing world; audiobook and podcast experiences, and author stages open to the public.

The prominent participation of Asian countries, including Vietnam, shows that this region is becoming the "new knowledge center" of the publishing world. Vietnam, with its recognized position at Frankfurt, is gradually asserting itself as a notable cultural destination, with a long history of reading, youthful creativity, and is moving forward with methodical strategies.

To realize the goal of becoming a guest of honor by 2030, the Vietnamese publishing industry needs to make comprehensive preparations. First of all, it is necessary to build a national strategy on international publishing, select typical works for translation and promotion; establish a fund for translation and promotion of Vietnamese books to support projects of translation, printing, and dissemination abroad; at the same time, encourage back translation, bring world works to Vietnam, create a parallel environment between receiving and spreading knowledge.

Along with that, it is necessary to focus on training human resources for international publishing: a team of translators, editors, copyright experts and professional media. Cooperation with universities, cultural institutes and European publishing associations will help Vietnam form a new generation of bookmakers - understanding Vietnamese culture, good at international languages ​​and having a global mindset.

The field of Vietnamese history books attracts international readers.

Digital transformation is also an indispensable factor. It is necessary to build a national electronic copyright platform, develop e-books, audiobooks, smart reading applications, and combine new technologies such as AR/VR in booth design to turn books into attractive cultural experiences.

International communications also need to be heavily invested in. A national promotional campaign, with the slogan "Vietnam - The Land of Stories", could become a brand mark for Vietnam in Frankfurt, demonstrating the spirit of storytelling, creativity and national identity in the digital age.

Looking back on the journey from 2019 to 2025, Vietnam has clearly transformed itself, from a sideline observer to an active member with substantial contributions to the flow of international publishing culture. When the door to Frankfurt opens in 2030, Vietnam will bring books and, more specifically, stories about people, culture, knowledge and the desire to integrate. It is the journey of a nation that loves letters, values ​​learning and knows how to spread knowledge - a Vietnam that is getting closer to the world with its own identity and intelligence.

Nguyen Nguyen - Director of the Department of Publishing, Printing and Distribution

Source: https://nhandan.vn/hoi-sach-frankfurt-hanh-trinh-ket-noi-va-tam-nhin-viet-nam-den-nam-2030-post918394.html