Pursuant to Decision No. 875/QD-BVHTTDL dated 17 April 2026, issued by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the National Library of Viet Nam (NLV) held the Conference–Seminar entitled “Vietnamese libraries in the digital age: Shared data – Synergistic value” on 29 October 2026 in Can Tho City. The event provided a forum for management authorities, libraries, educational institutions, experts, researchers and technology enterprises to exchange views on the current situation, development orientations and solutions for advancing shared library data in the digital environment. The Conference was attended by Ms. Doan Quynh Dung, Deputy Director of the Authority of Publishing and Libraries; Mr. Nguyen Huu Gioi, President of the Viet Nam Library Association; Ms. Dao Thi Thanh Thuy, Deputy Director of the Can Tho City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism; experts and researchers; leaders and library professionals from provincial and municipal libraries, special libraries, university libraries, armed forces libraries and library and information science training institutions nationwide; as well as representatives of technology enterprises.

From October 11 to 19, 2026, the Silk Road International Library Alliance (SRILA) Workshop was held in Xi’an, China, under the theme “Digital Intelligence empowerment and Silk Road Co-construction: Smart library theory and innovative practice”. The event brought together representatives from 10 major Chinese libraries and 16 international library institutions, including the National Library of Viet Nam (NLV), providing a forum for exchanging experience, sharing knowledge, and strengthening cooperation among libraries in the context of digital transformation. To advance this shared vision, the workshop discussions highlighted the growing trend of applying digital technologies in library operations, especially artificial intelligence (AI), Big data, and the Internet of Things (IoT). One topic that received particular attention was the conceptual shift in the role of libraries from “knowledge intermediaries” to “cognitive intermediaries”—a core foundation of the library of the future. Under this approach, libraries not only perform the functions of collecting, organizing and providing information resources, but also help users discover, connect, and make more effective use of knowledge. In addition, the application of Generative AI in combination with the BIBFRAME bibliographic framework is opening up new opportunities for automating library workflows, personalizing user experiences, and optimizing information retrieval services.

On the afternoon of October 6, 2026, the National Library of Viet Nam (NLV) received a delegation of U.S. librarians led by Dr. Peter Hepburn, former Head Librarian of the College of the Canyons (Santa Clarita, California) for a study visit . The delegation comprised six professionals from U.S. libraries and educational institutions, accompanied by representatives from Phenikaa University in Hanoi. Mr. Nguyen Xuan Dung, Director of the NLV, chaired the reception. The meeting was also attended by several heads of the library’s professional divisions. In his opening remarks, Director Nguyen Xuan Dung warmly welcomed the delegation of U.S. librarians to the NLV and provided an overview of the library’s establishment and development, its functions, responsibilities, and organizational structure. He also highlighted some of the library’s key activities and notable achievements in recent years, with a particular focus on the collection, preservation, organization, and provision of information resources to meet users’ needs for learning, research, and information access.

The cooperative relationship between the National Library of Viet Nam (NLV) and Spanish libraries and cultural institutions has been maintained for many years, with the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain in Viet Nam. On the morning of August 24, 2026, in Hanoi, Ambassador Carmen Cano de Lasala paid a working visit to the NLV. The NLV's Director Nguyen Xuan Dung hosted the meeting, with the participation of officials from the Embassy and the NLV. Introducing the NLV, Director Nguyen Xuan Dung gave an overview of the Library's history, functions, responsibilities, and position within the Viet Nam's library system. He also highlighted several notable activities in preserving, promoting, and disseminating cultural and historical values, contributing to bringing Viet Nam's heritage and knowledge to readers both at home and abroad. The relationship between the NLV and the National Library of Spain (NLS) was formalized through a cooperation agreement signed in 2005, with the active support and facilitation of the Spanish Embassy in Viet Nam. Over the years, the Embassy has presented the NLV with hundreds of valuable books on numerous occasions, enriching the Library's collections on the history, culture, country, and people of Spain and meeting the needs of Vietnamese readers interested in learning more about Spain.

2026 marks the 90th WLIC and the second time South Korea has hosted the Congress since 2006. Attracting nearly 3,200 delegates from 111 countries and territories - with first-time attendees making up 50% - this year’s convention unites national library leaders, global libraries and information communities representatives, researchers, educators, librarians, interns and publishers, and library equipment venders. The opening ceremony kicked off with a welcoming message from the First Lady of South Korea, followed by addresses from the Mayor of Busan Metropolitan City Chun Jae-soo and the IFLA WLIC 2026 Organizing Committee. The event also featured cultural performances that seamlessly blended tradition and modernity, deeply reflecting the host nation’s rich cultural identity. At the Congress, South Korean member of the National Assembly Jiho Cha delivered a speech on the topic “Universal AI Society – Reshaping the intellectual infrastructure for a sustainable future”...

Pursuant to Decision No. 476/QD-BVHTTDL of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the National Library of Viet Nam organized a training course entitled "Library Communication in the Digital Age" throughout June and July 2026. The program aims to enhance the communication competencies of library professionals across the country in the context of intensive digital transformation. The curriculum focuses on updating knowledge on modern media trends, while imparting skills to integrate digital platforms, social networks, and artificial intelligence into library operations. Furthermore, the training course provides a forum for participants to exchange practical experiences, share successful communication models, and discuss effective solutions, thereby enhancing operational quality and strengthening the connection between libraries and the community. In the context of intensive digital transformation across all sectors, library activities also face the need for innovation in management thinking, service methods, and communication approaches as libraries are no longer just places for storing and providing materials, but are gradually becoming creative spaces connecting communities and spreading knowledge through digital platforms.

The 2026 Asia-Pacific Public Library Forum (APPLF 2026) was held in Taichung City, Taiwan (China) on May 14, 2026 under the theme "Strategies, Innovation, and Future of Reading Promotion." The event was hosted by the National Library of Public Information (Taiwan) in collaboration with several major public libraries in Taiwan. The forum brought together more than 150 participants, including library managers, experts, scholars, and librarians from eight countries and territories across the Asia-Pacific region: Australia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan (China), and Viet Nam. The National Library of Viet Nam sent two representatives to attend and present papers at the Forum. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the APPLF 2026, representatives of Ministry of Education and the National Library of Public Information of Taiwan emphasized the role of libraries as an indicator of a nation’s soft power, and expressed their hope that the forumwould help identify key factors for the transformation of library in a rapidly changing era.

On the occasion of the Europe Day (May 9) and in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Wallonie-Bruxelles Delegation in Viet Nam, on the afternoon of May 8, 2026, the National Library of Viet Nam, in collaboration with the Wallonie-Bruxelles Delegation in Viet Nam, held the opening ceremony of the exhibition “Journey into the Ninth Space – The Art of Wallonie-Bruxelles Comics.”. The event was also attended by representatives of various agencies, organizations, and professional associations; leaders of libraries across Hanoi; as well as a large number of visitors and readers passionate about comic art. The exhibition showcases nearly 60 typical authors, artists, and scriptwriters representing different generations of French-speaking Belgian comic art. Through works spanning various genres such as adventure, history, humor, fantasy, realism, and experimental graphic novels, the exhibition vividly reflects social life, history, and contemporary creative trends.

On the morning of April 18, 2026, the opening ceremony of the 5th Viet Nam Book and Reading Culture Day 2026, themed “Flows of Knowledge – From Book Pages to Digital Spaces,” officially took place at the National Library of Viet Nam (NLV), kicking off a diverse series of activities lasting until May 5, 2026. The event was held under the direction of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MoCST), organized by the National Library of Viet Nam in collaboration with the Department of Grassroots Culture, Family, and Libraries.  The Opening Ceremony of the Book and Reading Culture Day kicked off with an energetic Flashmob Read performance set to the song “Nhung trang sach cho con” (Pages Books for Children) by the band Da LAB, performed collaboratively by primary pupils, university students and staff of the NLV. Moving beyond traditional activities, the event opened up an open, interactive space where reading was harmoniously connected with music and movement. In this shared rhythm, each book page was not only cherished but also became a vivid source of inspiration, contributing to the spread of reading culture and sparking a love for books in the community.

From November 26 to 29, 2025, at the invitation of the National Library of Viet Nam (NLV), a delegation of experts from the National Library of China (NLC) paid a working visit to the NLV in Hanoi. The delegation included Mr. Rong Jie, Director of Stack Management and Reader Services Department, and Ms. Luo Chong, Deputy Director of the Coordination and Operation Management Division. Within the framework of the meeting at the NLV, the two sides exchanged professional expertise to enhance mutual understanding, connectivity, and expand cooperation between the two national libraries. The discussions focused on the theme “Library products and services in the digital environment,” a key element in the digital transformation process of modern libraries. The Chinese experts provided an overview of reader services of the NLC based on their latest smart library initiatives. Notable models and solutions included: (1) The application of the Internet of Things (IoT) in library services: Utilizing indoor positioning systems, RFID technology, and smart bookshelves to optimize stack management and support users in quickly locating materials; (2) Immersive interactive technologies: Leveraging Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) to enhance the reading and learning experience; (3) Introduction of the National Smart Library System of China, with particular emphasis on the Smart Service Platform for Ancient Chinese Books, launched in April 2025. The platform was developed with the participation of the NLC and more than 180 institutions across 31 provinces and cities, providing “one-stop” access to 13,000 titles comprising over 140,000 volumes of rare ancient books.