Ho Chi Minh City: Creating a breakthrough in reading culture through digital transformation and inter-regional linkages.

Reading culture has gradually become a familiar activity in community life in Ho Chi Minh City.

After 5 years of implementing the "Developing Reading Culture" project for the period 2021-2025, Ho Chi Minh City has recorded many outstanding results, especially strong digital transformation, expansion of inter-regional reading spaces, and diversification of service models, bringing reading culture closer to the community.

Over time, reading culture has gradually become a familiar activity in community life, especially among students and young people. Many creative models and activities, along with innovations in service methods, have helped spread reading more widely, not only in schools but also in residential areas, industrial zones, and rural areas.

One of the highlights of the 2021–2025 period is the strong progress in the digital transformation of the library sector. In the first six months of 2025 alone, the city's library system recorded over 13.8 million online visits; approximately 6 million pages of documents were digitized. Amenities such as electronic reader cards, QR code scanning, audiobooks, and materials to support the visually impaired have been put into operation, contributing to creating a more open, convenient, and equitable reading environment for the people.

In addition, reading promotion models such as S.Hub, S.Hub Kids, mobile libraries, community bookcases, and the "Schools Come to the Library" program continue to be effective. Libraries are not only places for reading but also become spaces for creativity and experience with STEM activities, robotics, art, and soft skills, attracting a large number of students, parents, and teachers to participate.

Children participate in the book festival.

Notably, Ho Chi Minh City has expanded its library management and service scope beyond its traditional administrative boundaries by linking with the former Ba Ria - Vung Tau and Binh Duong regions. This connection has formed a multi-tiered, multi-target inter-regional library system, considered a rare model at the local level nationwide. Currently, three provincial-level libraries play a core role: the Ho Chi Minh City General Science Library – a strong center for digital transformation; the Ba Ria - Vung Tau Provincial Museum and Library with a widespread network of local libraries reaching even the islands; and the Binh Duong Provincial Library, which has effectively developed a model serving workers and young laborers in industrial zones.

The interconnectedness between units facilitates the sharing of resources, management experience, and professional personnel, gradually forming a rich and modern library ecosystem that serves the diverse learning, research, and entertainment needs of the people.

Alongside the positive results, the conference also frankly pointed out some limitations such as the lack of sustainable reading habits among some people; the dilapidated condition of library facilities at the grassroots level; uneven investment resources; and the shortage and weakness of information technology personnel in the library sector.

Based on this, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports has determined that the period from 2026 to 2030 will continue to prioritize digital transformation as the cornerstone of reading culture development. The city aims to improve the quality of digitized documents, apply artificial intelligence in management and reader services, and build inter-regional digital libraries according to international standards; while also expanding reading models suitable for different target groups, from children and workers to vulnerable people.

Promoting social participation, increasing the involvement of businesses and the community, and fostering close coordination between libraries, schools, and organizations are expected to foster sustainable reading habits, making reading culture a crucial foundation of a learning society. Ho Chi Minh City is continuing to develop its reading culture in a modern, open, and sustainable direction, contributing to improving the spiritual lives of its citizens and spreading knowledge to future generations.

Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/tp-ho-chi-minh-tao-dot-pha-van-hoa-doc-bang-chuyen-doi-so-lien-ket-lien-vung-10400356.html