Vietnamese picture books seek opportunities to "take off".

Picture books are gradually asserting their position in the spiritual lives of Vietnamese youth. The Vietnam Children's Picture Book Festival 2026, currently being held at the Ho Chi Minh City General Science Library, is an opportunity to define the value and establish a direction for this book genre.

Readers can explore publications at the Vietnam Children's Picture Book Festival 2026.

A persistent journey

Besides author meet-and-greets, book launches, and workshops, the Vietnam Children's Picture Book Festival 2026 also features an exhibition titled "100 Vietnamese Picture Books to Love and Remember," held in the Ho Chi Minh City General Science Library and the Ho Chi Minh City Book Street. The publications on display were published between 2006 and 2026, partly reflecting the enduring 20-year journey of picture books in Vietnam.

Ms. Nguyen Huu Quynh Huong, Head of the festival organizing committee and Director of Slowbooks - a company specializing in picture books, said that Vietnamese picture books appeared much later than in the rest of the world , and in the beginning were even misunderstood as a different genre of comics. "It wasn't until 2022 that Vietnamese picture books truly flourished when many companies invested in producing them, and the number of artists and authors participating gradually increased," Ms. Quynh Huong stated.

In the development of this book genre, a significant milestone has been the presence of Room to Read (RtR) Vietnam. For 25 years in Vietnam, besides building school libraries and supporting female students, RtR has persistently pursued the publication and dissemination of picture books for domestic readers. Prominent names in picture book publishing such as Huynh Kim Lien, Pham Quang Phuc, Thai My Phuong, and Vu Thi Thuy Dung… all began their careers by participating in picture book creation workshops organized by RtR.

Mr. Le Thien Tri, Director of RtR's Language Development Program in Vietnam, believes that picture books have a significant advantage in connecting generations of readers, serving as an effective tool for children to bond with their parents and other adults. It is estimated that 14 publishers nationwide are involved in producing picture books, and annual statistics from the publishing industry show that this genre is experiencing relatively stable growth. In particular, while previously picture books were primarily translated, in recent times, works by domestic authors, drawing on familiar cultural elements, daily life, and experiences, are increasingly gaining a foothold in the market.

Step out into the world

In 2015, the picture book "The First Journey" by Huynh Kim Lien and Phung Nguyen Quang won first prize at the Scholastic Picture Book Award (Asian Picture Book Award). This was the first time a domestic picture book had received international recognition, paving the way for many other publications to achieve greater success, such as: "The Way Home," "Mysterious Princesses," "Cinderella," "Chang the Wild Bear," "My Dad is a Runner," "I've Eaten It All," etc.

Sharing the difficulties faced by picture book creators, Ms. Nguyen Huu Quynh Huong said that most picture book authors are young people, belonging to Generation Z and beyond. The biggest challenge for them is not their skill level or opportunities to express themselves, but the resources needed to bring their works to a wider audience. “For picture books to develop and reach a better international audience, practical support from translation funds and national-level promotional programs is essential. The reality is that in Vietnam, picture books are still not given the recognition they deserve, despite bringing in many positive results,” Ms. Nguyen Huu Quynh Huong added.

According to Mr. Le Thien Tri, for Vietnamese picture books to have a worthy place on the international picture book map, domestic creative forces need to develop three capabilities simultaneously: telling stories with a Vietnamese identity while still touching on universal issues for young people; mastering the unique language of picture books, where images, text, and design all tell a story; and participating in more professional mechanisms such as creative workshops, guidance, copyright exchange, festivals, awards, and international publishing networks.

"We need to create opportunities for domestic works to appear more frequently at picture book festivals and book fairs around the world, thereby gaining greater recognition from international readers," added Mr. Le Thien Tri.

Picture books are a genre of books primarily aimed at children, featuring large illustrations combined with short, artistic, and educational text. This is quite different from comic books, which use panels, dialogue, and animation to tell long, complex storylines.

HO SON

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/sach-tranh-viet-tim-co-hoi-cat-canh-post855103.html