Vietnamese cultural space leaves deep impression at International Book Festival in Guangdong, China

Không gian văn hóa Việt Nam gây ấn tượng sâu sắc ở Lễ hội sách quốc tế tại Quảng Đông, Trung Quốc

View of 'Vietnam House' at the Book Festival 'Nam Quoc Thu Huong 2025 - Reading the world '.

From August 15-19, the Consulate General of Vietnam in Guangzhou coordinated with South Media Group (Nanfang Daily) to build 'Vietnam House' and organize a series of events to introduce books, fashion - culture - cuisine shows, learn about the history of China - Vietnam relations and promote Vietnamese tourism within the framework of the International Book Festival 'Nam Quoc Thu Huong 2025 - Reading the world'.

The “Southern Country Book Fragrance” International Book Festival has a history of more than 30 years and is one of the largest Chinese book festivals in the world, attracting more than one million visitors every year.

This year's book festival was held at the Canton Fair Exhibition Center (Guangzhou), attracting the participation of 23 countries and territories, with more than 20,000 published publications introduced and many spaces displaying and promoting unique cultures of regions around the world.

Area to experience Vietnamese culture and cuisine .

In 2025, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-China diplomatic relations and the Year of Humanitarian Exchange between the two countries, Vietnam became the Guest of Honor of the event and built the "Vietnam House" with the theme: "Preserving culture, Connecting literature".

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Consul General Nguyen Viet Dung assessed that this is a practical activity of the two sides to implement one of the "6 more" orientations to promote Vietnam-China relations, which is to build a "more solid social foundation".

Opening of the Book Festival 'Nam Quoc Thu Huong 2025: Reading the world'.

The Consul General expressed that through organizing cultural exchange and experience activities at this Book Festival, the Vietnamese Consulate General in Guangzhou wishes to promote its role as a bridge, continue to consolidate and foster the good traditional friendship between the people of Vietnam and China in general and between the people of Vietnam and the people of Guangdong province in particular.

The timing of the Book Festival is also very special, as it has been exactly one year since General Secretary and President To Lam visited China, with the first stop being Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province. This has demonstrated the affection and respect of the Vietnamese Party and State leaders for the Party Committee, government and people of Guangdong Province.

Consul General Nguyen Viet Dung speaks at the opening ceremony.

The event received deep attention from the leaders of Guangdong Province. Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the Propaganda Department of Guangdong Province Hu Jingjun and Deputy Director of the Information Office of the Guangdong Provincial People's Government Deng Hong spent a lot of time visiting the "Vietnam House".

The leaders of Guangdong Province highly appreciated the cooperation between the Consulate General of Vietnam and the Guangdong Museum of Revolutionary History to bring the thematic exhibition “Comrade Ho Chi Minh in Guangzhou” to the Book Festival. These valuable historical documents help the people of Guangdong Province, especially the young generation, to learn about and cherish the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Guangdong.

Standing Committee Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the Propaganda Department of Guangdong Province Hu Jingjun visited the Vietnam House.

Deputy Director of the Guangdong Provincial People's Government Information Office Dang Hong visited the exhibition "Comrade Ho Chi Minh in Guangzhou".

Besides the story of history, the Consulate General continues to tell the story of the present through a short video clip introducing the achievements in economic-trade cooperation and people-to-people exchange between the two countries.

Delegates watched a video clip introducing Vietnam-China cooperation relations produced by the Consulate General.

At the Book Festival, designer Tuan Sanh brought the "Sao Khue" Ao Dai collection with sophisticated hand-embroidered motifs to display and perform at the event. Typical cultural images of Vietnam and China such as lotus flowers, peonies, Thang Long Imperial Citadel, and Forbidden City were elaborately hand-embroidered on the Ao Dai flaps, both to convey the message of Vietnam-China friendship and the similarities in the cultures of the two countries, and to contribute to honoring the hand-embroidered art of Vietnamese artisans. The fashion show created a wide spread, attracting the attention of many visitors.

Ao Dai fashion show at the Book Festival.

A highlight of the event was the work "Hidden Oil Painting on Silk" by artist Tuan Sanh. When viewed from the front, the work stands out with lotus and kapok flowers (moc mien) - symbols of Guangzhou city, the capital of Guangdong province. When exposed to light, another painting will appear, which is Khue Van Cac - an iconic architectural work of Vietnam, next to the Guangzhou Tower - an image representing the dynamic development of Guangdong province.

Hidden painting by designer Tuan Sanh.

At Vietnam House, visitors can enjoy dishes and drinks with a strong Vietnamese culinary imprint such as bread, spring rolls, and filter coffee. The image of a long line of people waiting to experience is vivid proof of the appeal of Vietnamese cuisine to the Cantonese public and international friends.

Vietnamese culinary experience area.

During the Book Festival, the Consulate General coordinated with South Media Group (Nanfang Daily) to organize a series of cultural exchange activities, including: Discussions by famous scholars and Chinese researchers who have spent many years researching President Ho Chi Minh; sharing session by translator, Director of Publishing House Nguyen Le Chi "Looking back at 10 years of Chinese literature in Vietnam"; introduction of the book "Vất qua nhung ngan may" and Vietnamese reading culture and tea culture by writer Do Quang Tuan Hoang; discussion on coffee and traditional Vietnamese cuisine with the participation of cultural researcher Vu The Long - representative of Trung Nguyen Coffee Group and founder of Banh Mi Phung Tuan brand - Ms. Nguyen Minh.

Discussion program on the topic "Comrade Ho Chi Minh in Guangzhou".

Discussion about coffee and traditional Vietnamese cuisine.

Translator and Director of Publishing House Nguyen Le Chi shared "Looking back at 10 years of Chinese literature in Vietnam".

Writer Do Quang Tuan Hoang introduces the book "Vat qua nhung ngan may" and Vietnam's reading culture and tea culture.

On this occasion, the Consulate General coordinated with localities such as Hanoi, Lang Son, Da Nang, Ninh Binh to prepare video clips and propaganda publications to promote Vietnam tourism. The delegation of Lang Son province led by Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs Trinh Tuyet Mai participated in introducing cultural products, tourism, and regional specialties at the event, receiving the attention of many Chinese visitors.

Delegation of Lang Son province attended the event.

Entering the Vietnam House, visitors can admire the harmonious design space between tradition and modernity, honoring the national cultural identity. The entrance gate is inspired by Khue Van Cac - a typical architectural symbol, imbued with the spirit of learning and reading culture of the Vietnamese people.

Publications on the occasion of 75 years of Vietnam-China diplomatic relations by The Gioi and Viet Nam Newspaper and tourism publications of localities were displayed at the event.

Local tourism publications on display at the event.

The World and Vietnam Newspaper's publications received attention.

The exhibition and cultural experience areas are elaborately invested with hanging curtains bearing brocade motifs of Vietnamese ethnic minorities, embroidered silk scarves, and handicrafts made by experienced artisans.

Handicraft display corner.

Also here, more than 100 excellent Vietnamese publications were displayed and introduced, including literary works by Vietnamese writers, Vietnamese translations of Chinese literary works, and academic studies by international scholars on Vietnamese culture and history. Many of these books were introduced to Guangdong readers for the first time.

Book introduction space at Vietnam House.

Walking around the Vietnam House, visitors can explore the history of Vietnam-China friendship, experience a modern, vibrant Vietnam and immerse themselves in a colorful cultural journey with unique exhibition spaces, stories and interactive activities.

The creative reading space and a series of events promoting Vietnamese culture, tourism, fashion, cuisine, and literature have attracted widespread attention from local media. Many major press agencies in Guangdong Province such as the Provincial Radio and Television Station, South Media Group, Guangzhou Television, Yangcheng Evening News, etc. have continuously published news, articles, and reports reflecting on the Vietnam House.