From reading culture to the aspiration for creating knowledge in Vietnam.

Alongside the task of promoting reading culture, Directive No. 04-CT/TW of the Party Central Committee emphasizes the importance of investing in publishing content. Focusing on developing a team of Vietnamese authors will contribute to unleashing creativity, preserving national identity, and enhancing national competitiveness in the new era.

Building the nation's "house of knowledge".

For many years, the development of a reading culture has been consistently mentioned as a crucial task in building a learning society and fostering human development. Large book fairs, community libraries, and reading spaces opened in schools, residential areas, and cafes demonstrate a growing societal awareness of the importance of books and knowledge.

However, alongside the discussion of "promoting reading," the issue of "promoting writing" is also being raised. A strong culture is not only measured by the number of people who read books, but also by its ability to produce valuable books. A nation possessing many works that contribute to human civilization also means that the nation has a solid foundation for innovation and development.

Each book is like a "brick" contributing to the construction of the nation's shared "house of knowledge".

In the context of the digital economy , the most important resource is not just land, minerals, or investment capital, but human intellect and creativity. According to Professor Phan Van Truong, founder of the Foundation Cultivation Ecosystem, books are also a repository and promoter of national identity. He believes that Vietnam is a country with a rich cultural heritage spanning thousands of years, diverse in regions and ethnic groups, with countless layers of historical sediment that need to be retold, explained, and continued. Each book written and reaching the public, in a sense, is a "brick" contributing to the construction of the nation's shared "house of knowledge."

A society with both a large readership and a large number of authors will create a continuous flow of ideas. In such a society, each individual is not only a recipient of information but also has the ability to participate in the process of knowledge creation. From research papers and scientific works to literary and artistic creations, all contribute to enriching the spiritual life and intellectual capacity of society.

Building a foundation of Vietnamese knowledge.

The development of a skilled writing workforce is a key focus in the publishing industry. At the 8th National Book Awards, the award structure was divided into two distinct categories: translated books and books written by Vietnamese authors.

According to Nguyen Nguyen, Director of the Department of Publishing, Printing and Distribution, this adjustment stems from the fact that for many years, translated books have often accounted for a fairly high percentage of awards, sometimes exceeding 50% of the honored works. This highlights the need to create a fairer playing field for domestic authors.

The separation of the two categories is not intended to "favor" one side, but rather to ensure equitable recognition while simultaneously promoting indigenous creativity. It is noteworthy that in the very first year of implementing the new mechanism, the number of works by Vietnamese authors increased significantly, both in quantity and quality. Many works were meticulously researched, possessing deep academic depth and high practical value.

Besides the issue of "promoting reading," the issue of "promoting writing" is also being raised.

Overall, this adjustment contributes to creating a reasonable balance between translated books and books in Vietnamese, while also sending the message that the development of Vietnamese publishing must be based on two parallel pillars - selectively absorbing the best of the world and sustainably supporting domestic creativity.

Many publishing houses are demonstrating efforts to invest in and encourage domestic creative teams. Kim Dong Publishing House recently launched the Kim Dong Literary Award Book Collection, comprising 11 winning works from the first writing competition (2023-2025). In the academic research sector, Omega Plus is building the Contemporary Vietnamese Researchers Book Collection, part of the Vietnamese History Book Collection, to introduce in-depth research works by reputable domestic scholars...

Directive No. 04-CT/TW dated March 17, 2026, of the Party Central Committee on strengthening the Party's leadership over publishing activities in the new situation, orients: "Focus investment on publishing content, making it a core product for developing the cultural industry; expand genres and new topics with ideological, scientific, and aesthetic value." In addition, commissioning valuable scientific works and literary and artistic works is considered an important task to meet the people's need for knowledge and healthy entertainment.

As Vietnam is actively developing its cultural industry, many believe that to sustainably develop a domestic author base, a robust creative ecosystem is needed to provide writers with the conditions to live, work, and pursue their careers long-term. This support should not only be material but also involve creating a favorable environment for creativity through funds supporting young authors, residency programs, commissioning mechanisms, prestigious professional awards, and networks connecting authors with schools, libraries, and the reading community.

In many countries, the writing profession is supported by a relatively complete system, including transparent copyright protection mechanisms, national funds for creative writing, and a network of professional author representatives. These are also valuable lessons to learn from in developing the creative life and building a modern publishing industry in Vietnam.

Developing a team of Vietnamese authors is not simply about increasing the number of high-quality books or seeking out acclaimed works. More than that, it's an investment in national creative capacity, preserving and disseminating Vietnamese cultural values ​​across generations. It's also the foundation for enriching cultural strength, shaping intellectual power, and ultimately affirming Vietnam's position and stature on its journey of integration and breakthrough.

Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/tu-van-hoa-doc-den-khat-vong-sang-tao-tri-thuc-viet-10418739.html