After more than a decade of organization, from Vietnam Book Day to the current Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day, we can affirm that this is one of the typical cultural events with widespread influence, contributing to nurturing and inspiring a love of books and building reading habits among all segments of the population. The event not only affirms the role and value of books in social life but also demonstrates the strategic vision of the Party and State in developing reading culture – a fundamental and crucial element for the sustainable development of the nation and people, enabling it to enter a new era of national progress.
To better understand the significance of Book Day and Reading Culture, Tri Thuc Magazine - Znews had an interview with Associate Professor Pham Minh Tuan - Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Communist Magazine , President of the Vietnam Publishers Association.
Instilling knowledge
- Sir, after more than 10 years of implementation, what impact has Vietnam's Book and Reading Culture Day left on people's lives?
- On February 24, 2014, the Prime Minister signed Decision No. 284/QD-TTg designating April 21st of each year as "Vietnam Book Day". This decision marks a milestone in the State's deep and consistent commitment to building a learning society, encouraging the reading movement, honoring those who work in the book industry, and promoting the development of the country's publishing industry. The event not only celebrates knowledge but also contributes to building a learning society, fostering a spirit of learning and creativity among all segments of the population.
The expansion into "Book and Reading Culture Day" (from 2022) reflects a long-term vision, in line with the new era – where reading culture becomes a bridge between traditional knowledge and modern technology, linked to the development of Vietnamese culture and people in the spirit of the Party's 13th National Congress Resolution.
Over the past 10 years, from a modestly sized cultural event, Vietnam's Book and Reading Culture Day has spread strongly throughout society, becoming a festival for book lovers, publishers, distributors, and the entire population, especially the younger generation. Activities in response to Book Day are not only held in major cities but have also spread to localities, remote areas, border regions, and islands – places where access to books was previously limited.
Associate Professor Pham Minh Tuan speaks at a gift-giving event for children in Thai Nguyen on the occasion of Tet 2025. Photo: Viet Linh. |
It is encouraging that the reading movement among students and young people has been clearly stimulated. Many school libraries have been improved, and many models of "friendly libraries," "mobile book carts," "classroom book shelves," and "community book shelves" have been widely implemented. Book introduction competitions, writing contests about books, forums, seminars, and author meet-and-greets have helped bring books closer to readers, becoming an essential part of the people's spiritual life.
In particular, through book street models, notably the Ho Chi Minh City Book Street and the Thu Duc City Book Street, reading culture has spread to the entire population.
Furthermore, publishers, distributors, and government agencies have continuously innovated their organizational methods and promoted the application of information technology to diversify access to books: from paper books to audiobooks, e-books, and digital libraries. This has ensured that reading culture is not only connected to physical spaces but also adapts to the digital context and the need for fast, multi-faceted access to information in modern society.
- Over the years, Book and Reading Culture Day has received support from many provinces and localities. In your opinion, what are the core elements that contribute to the enduring vitality of Book and Reading Culture Day?
- Vietnam's Book and Reading Culture Day has become a "cultural brand" with lasting vitality thanks to the attention of all levels and its widespread influence in society.
In terms of policy, over the years, the Party and State have implemented many major initiatives to create favorable conditions for the development of reading culture. In particular, the Prime Minister approved the "Development of Reading Culture in the Community until 2030" project, which clearly defines specific objectives such as: increasing the percentage of the population who regularly read books, building sustainable models for developing reading culture, and applying technology to popularize books and knowledge. The Propaganda Department (now the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department) has issued many appropriate and timely directives to promote reading culture. Most recently, the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department sent a document to agencies and units, requesting them to "continue to promote the organization and dissemination of Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day" with specific content.
The relevant ministries also consistently pay attention to promoting reading. For example, recently, through the SMS system, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism sent a message to the entire population to join hands in celebrating National Book and Reading Culture Day. Library systems under the Ministry also actively participate in organizing reading events.
Researcher Nguyen Dinh Tu, along with Mr. Tran Dinh Ba - Deputy Director and Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Ho Chi Minh City General Publishing House - received the A Prize at the National Book Awards. Photo: Viet Linh . |
Another important testament to the development of the reading movement and the quality of publishing is the success of the National Book Award – formerly the Vietnam Book Award. This prestigious award, held annually, honors valuable works and outstanding contributions from authors and publishers. Each year, the award expands in scale and diversity of genres, reflecting intellectual depth, cultural identity, and national spirit. Many award-winning works have become valuable resources for research and study, and a source of pride for the country's publishing industry.
The spirit of Book and Reading Culture Day has spread to many organizations and units. More and more localities, agencies, schools, and businesses are actively responding with activities such as book exhibitions, author meet-and-greets, and launching reading campaigns. Especially in the new era of digital transformation, the event has transcended its traditional boundaries, spreading strongly through digital platforms, reaching a diverse audience, especially young people.
- In the context of today's rapid development of artificial intelligence, what should the National Book and Reading Culture Day do to continue maintaining its position, especially with the younger generation who increasingly access information through digital platforms?
We live in an age of abundant information, which simultaneously presents challenges regarding the quality, direction, and selectivity of that information. In this context, developing a reading culture needs to be considered in a harmonious balance between the core value of knowledge and the user's need for flexible and convenient access.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Minh Tuan - President of the Vietnam Publishers Association
- Over the past year, we have seen a bright spot in the publishing industry: e-publications surged by 120.7%, reaching 4,050 titles, raising the proportion of e-publications to 8.9% of the total publishing structure. This demonstrates the strong digital transformation taking place, and activities within the framework of the Book and Reading Culture Day are also gradually changing to maintain their position and appeal, especially among the younger generation – a group of readers who increasingly access information primarily through digital platforms.
The National Book and Reading Culture Day needs to be organized more systematically and creatively, linked to major national events, while also facilitating broad community participation. The goal should not just be a festival, but a movement with profound and lasting influence, guiding society towards sustainable values of truth, goodness, and beauty.
We are living in an era where information is more abundant than ever before, but at the same time, it poses enormous challenges regarding the quality, direction, and selectivity of information. In this context, developing a reading culture needs to be placed in a harmonious relationship between tradition and modernity, between the core value of knowledge and the user's need for flexible and convenient access.
To deepen reading culture
- The National Book and Reading Culture Day is now seen as part of the national reading culture development strategy. What does this mean for the reading promotion movement?
- The significance of the event lies in the fact that it created a chain of simultaneous impacts: fostering a love of books in the community, evoking emotions and imagination in children, creating motivation for innovation from book publishers, libraries, and schools, and especially promoting the attention of all levels of government to reading culture.
When the Project for the Development of Community Reading Culture by 2030 was approved (Decision No. 329/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister), which identifies reading as a crucial part of education and holistic human development, Book and Reading Culture Day was seen as an effective means of implementing and concretizing the spirit of the policy into life. Here, books act as a catalyst for creating connections between people, between generations, and between traditional values and modern excellence.
Students participate in the 2025 Book and Reading Culture Day at Hanoi Book Street on December 19th. Photo: Viet Ha |
Works that were honored at the 2024 National Book Awards, such as "The Teacher" (General Nguyen Chi Vinh), "Nameless Summer" (Nguyen Nhat Anh), and "Vietnamese History in Pictures," when introduced, displayed, and celebrated at the Book and Reading Culture Day, have opened up new approaches for young readers, helping them to more deeply absorb the cultural and humanistic values hidden in each page of the book.
- In your opinion, what changes are necessary to improve reading culture ?
- First and foremost, it is essential to recognize that developing a reading culture cannot be a standalone or short-term task, but rather a comprehensive, long-term, and sustainable strategy closely linked to the cultural, educational, and social development goals set forth by the Party and the State.
Reading culture is a "spiritual shield" that enables people to select, verify, compare, and form a solid personal value system based on accurate knowledge.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Minh Tuan - President of the Vietnam Publishers Association
In the coming period, reading culture needs to be developed in conjunction with a shift in the approach to knowledge acquisition from "one-way transmission" to "activating independent, critical, and creative thinking," especially in the educational environment. This requires actively promoting reading culture in schools, not only through campaigns but also by integrating it into teaching content and developing students' reading comprehension, analytical, and evaluative skills from primary and secondary levels.
At the same time, it is necessary to promote the role of reading culture in building political fortitude, moral character, and a civilized and modern lifestyle for Vietnamese citizens in the digital age. We are facing the strong infiltration and influence of social media platforms and multi-faceted information – including a significant amount of harmful and deviant content. Reading culture is the "spiritual shield" that helps people to select, verify, compare, and form a solid personal value system based on correct knowledge.
On the other hand, it is necessary to recognize that developing a reading culture is also part of the process of building and spreading the nation's "soft power," especially in the current era of deep integration. A developed reading culture not only helps to raise the intellectual level of the people domestically, but also creates works and intellectual products capable of captivating international readers – thereby enhancing Vietnam's position, prestige, and image on the international stage.
From a government perspective, what are the key tasks in promoting a reading culture?
- In the field of state management, an indispensable task is to build a national database on reading culture, including specific indicators such as: the percentage of the population that reads regularly, the number of libraries and books, the publishing situation by genre, the level of access to books among different population groups, etc. These indicators will be an important basis for evaluating, formulating policies, and measuring the effectiveness of reading culture development programs in a scientific and sustainable manner.
Simultaneously, it is necessary to focus on training a team of staff working in libraries, publishing, distribution, and book communication. These are the "key individuals" who play a crucial role in spreading the value of books to the community. Investing in people is investing in the future of the country's reading culture.
Finally, I want to emphasize that for reading culture to truly take root and become the foundation of social knowledge, a responsible alliance is needed between the State, schools, families, society, and businesses. Each entity has an irreplaceable role. The State needs to play a policy-making and development-oriented role; schools and families are the direct sources of reading habits; and social organizations and businesses can collaborate in organizing events, sponsoring libraries, and disseminating effective reading models.
znews.vn
Source: https://znews.vn/phat-trien-van-hoa-doc-va-ky-nguyen-vuon-minh-cua-dan-toc-post1547669.html
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