The 'three-legged stool' for the development of the book industry.

Lessons from the Philippines show that, in order to develop the publishing industry, it is essential to strengthen the role of associations.

Professional and social organizations create a "buffer zone" between the State and the private sector, forming a "three-legged stool" that helps the economy develop harmoniously. These organizations also have the potential to undertake many tasks that are beyond the capacity of a single business entity.

However, the potential of professional associations can only be realized when the law clearly defines their roles and functions. Currently, the Vietnam Publishers Association is only mentioned in decisions issued by the Ministry of Interior , based on government decrees regulating the organization, operation, and management of associations. The role of the Vietnam Publishers Association is not yet defined in the current Publishing Law.

This has prevented the Publishers Association from fully realizing its potential as a socio-professional organization. Its role has been limited to "assistance," whereas a professional association could potentially have a much greater influence on the economy and the overall standing of the industry.

Lessons from publishing associations in the Philippines

In 2025, the Philippines will be the guest of honor at the Frankfurt Book Fair – the world's largest book fair. This success stems from the Philippines' multi-year strategy, which includes the invaluable efforts of the country's publishing associations.

The largest publishing association in the Philippines is the BDAP (Book Development Association of the Philippines). The BDAP has spent years advocating for policy, arguing that publishing is a driver of national development and that the publishing industry deserves its own legislation.

In 1995, the Publishing Industry Development Act was enacted, giving birth to the National Book Development Commission of the Philippines. This commission comprises 11 members, including 5 representatives from government agencies and 6 representatives from the private sector and associations. Thus, right from the law, the Philippines clearly stipulated the participation of non-state resources such as businesses and organizations.

Thanks to the opening of the law, Philippine associations have demonstrated dynamism in forecasting and leading the market. Recognizing the potential of the graphic novel/comic/webtoon market, BDAP has proactively organized awards and workshops specifically for this market. The association has transformed the graphic novel market into one of the leading sectors of Philippine publishing, both domestically and internationally.

The Philippines is the guest of honor at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2025. Photo: The Manila Times.

BDAP also made significant contributions to helping the Philippines become the guest of honor at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2025. For about 10 years, the Association and the National Book Development Committee have encouraged the country's publishers to participate in international fairs as a unified group rather than individually; and have mobilized resources to translate works into German.

Thus, the market flexibility of professional associations, combined with comprehensive government management, has helped the Philippine publishing industry achieve significant success and expand globally in just the last decade.

The role of the Vietnam Publishers Association needs to be codified into law.

According to Mr. Do Quang Dung, Vice President of the Vietnam Publishers Association, the two major problems currently facing the association are "no one listens" and "lack of funding".

"No one listens" is due to the fact that the role of the Association has not been officially defined in the Publishing Law. Mr. Do Quang Dung believes that it is very difficult to enhance the role of the Publishing Association in the industry if this role is not specifically codified in law.

Mr. Do Quang Dung - Vice President of the Vietnam Publishers Association. Photo: Dinh Ha.

"The work that is 'allowed to be done' is different from the work that is 'required to be done'. If the Association's tasks are stipulated in the law, the Association will have more basis and legitimacy to carry out those tasks, and others will be more likely to listen to what we say. Without specific regulations, no one will listen," said Mr. Do Quang Dung.

Legalizing the role of the Vietnam Publishers Association also helps the Association carry out its work more easily, provides a basis for mobilizing more resources, and overcomes the problem of insufficient funding.

Based on lessons learned from the Philippines and many other countries around the world, professional associations derive their revenue from three main sources: general services for the entire industry (data provision, event organization, etc.); representation on copyright issues; and bidding on government public projects.

Legalization will partly help the Association to quickly realize many activities and ideas; utilize the public-private partnership model; and thereby also address the financial bottleneck.

The National Book Awards are jointly organized by the Vietnam Publishers Association and the Department of Publishing, Printing and Distribution (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism). Photo: Viet Linh.

For many years, the Vietnam Publishers Association has made efforts to organize the National Book Award, events related to Book Day and Reading Culture, and many activities aimed at bringing books to disadvantaged provinces and creating equity in access to books in society.

However, these tasks are currently being carried out thanks to "dedication," shouldering responsibilities that the Association has not been officially assigned. Without official regulations in the law, it is difficult to establish a mechanism for commensurate rewards, and it is also difficult to have a legal basis for the Association to implement projects, or if it is implemented, it will be difficult to sustain in the long term.

When the Association has not yet fully utilized its potential, businesses and publishers are forced to "stretch themselves" even more in tasks that require the combined strength of many individuals and groups.

Directive 04-CT/TW of the Party Central Committee outlined the role of the Vietnam Publishers Association in developing the industry and reading culture. However, without clear laws and mechanisms to pave the way for the Association's activities, it will remain stuck in the role of "wanting a lot but not accomplishing much."

Source: https://znews.vn/the-kieng-ba-chan-phat-develop-the-book-industry-post1654333.html