Under the permission of the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, on November 4 - 5, 2022, the National Library of Viet Nam (NLV) coordinated with the Library Department and related units to organize the Conference-Workshop "Application of information technology in professional activities of Vietnamese libraries (2017 - 2022)". The Conference-Workshop listened to 20 reports and several lively, serious and frank discussions on the implementation situation and results of information technology application in the construction and development of electronic/digital libraries and digital transformation at libraries and information centers; advantages, disadvantages, and challenges in the process of applying information technology and digital transformation (development policies, infrastructure aspect, data, budget, human resources, etc.); activities of creation, administration, preservation, and distribution of digital collections; mechanisms, policies and requirements for information technology application and digital transformation activities in libraries and information centers in the future; proposed models, technological solutions, utility software, lessons learned, initiatives to effectively apply information technology and digital transformation of Vietnamese and international library activities; activities of cooperation, linkage and sharing of information resources at home and abroad; plans and projects to promote the application of information technology in professional activities at libraries.

The 28th Conference of Directors of National Libraries in Asia and Oceania (28th CDNL-AO) hosted by Indonesia with the theme “Library Service Impacts on Community: Sustainability, Inclusion, and Innovation” took place from October 24-27, 2022 in Jakarta, Indonesia. There were representatives of over 30 member national libraries in Asia and Oceania attending the conference both in-person and online mode. At the welcome remark, Ms. Vicki Mc Donald – President of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) mentioned the mission and vision of IFLA related to the development of libraries and librarians in the future. In addition, the conference also welcomed invited speaker, Ms. Lin Li Soh – Director of the IFLA Asia and Oceania region. The National Library of Viet Nam (NLV) delegation consisting of 2 delegates led by Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Anh – Deputy Director attended the conference in-person and presented paper on “Inclusive library services – an important transition step to build a learning society in Viet Nam”. Focusing on three main themes “Sustainability”, “Inclusion”, and “Innovation”, besides the presentation of the NLV, the delegates also listened to presentations of the national libraries of Indonesia, Iran, the Philippines, Singapore, Qatar and China. All presentations discussed about the transformation of libraries based on social inclusion and the role of libraries in supporting achievement of sustainable development goals.

On the afternoon of October 26, 2022, a delegation of officials from the Department of Literature and Publication – Distribution, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism of Laos led by Ms. Chăm phệt Khăm Phong, Director of the Department, paid a working visit to the National Library of Viet Nam. Ms. Kieu Thuy Nga, Director of the National Library of Viet Nam received the delegation. Ms. Doan Quynh Dung, Deputy Director of the Library Department also attended the meeting. At the meeting, the Director expressed her pleasure to welcome the delegation of Department of Literature and Publication – Distribution of Laos and spent time to briefly introduce the establishment and development history of the NLV over the last century, its main roles and mission, the information resources, especially ancient and rare collections, the library products and services, activities of building digital library, promoting reading culture, fostering and providing professional guidance; projects and international cooperation activities; as well as future development orientation of the NLV.

On the afternoon of October 25, 2022, the National Library of Viet Nam (NLV) hosted a seminar on "French and Vietnamese detective literature through the perspective of famous writers" in partnership with the French Institute in Viet Nam and Nha Nam Culture and Communication Company. Within the framework of the discussion, Ambassador Nicolas Warnery - author of Epitaphe pour un traître (Tentatively translated as "Inscription for Traitors") and La nuit du hussard (Tentatively translated as "Night of the Cavalry"); Writer Michel Bussi; and female writer Di Li - dubbed the "Queen of Vietnamese detective genre" - discussed the two countries' detective literature, similarities and differences, opportunities and challenges for anybody interested in pursuing a career in writing, particularly writing in the detective genre. The speakers also discussed the principles and methods of writing detective stories to strictly ensure logic, rationality, drama, and surprise; especially, the ability to think about the vast amount of knowledge and information that the author must be able to use as material for the work, thereby ensuring that detective remains a literary genre that attracts a large number of readers.

On October 20, 2022, as part of a series of activities commemorating the opening of the Francophone Book Space, the National Library of Viet Nam (NLV) collaborated with the International Organization of La Francophonie to organize a seminar on Francophone Literature. The seminar is led by Dr. Tran Van Cong, Dean of the French Faculty at Hanoi University, President of the Association of Schools Teaching Francophone Literature and Humanities, and Chairman of the Jury for the Five Continents Prize of the Francophonie in Viet Nam. Topics covered by the speaker include: French Literature and Francophone Literature, as well as Typical Francophone Literature and Vietnamese Francophone Literature. France is a country rich in literature, the birthplace of many world-famous authors such as Molière, La Fontaine, Voltaire, Victor Hugo, Balzac, and Zola... with romantic and realistic literary styles. Throughout its history, French literature has been renowned and recognized all over the world. Not only do we look at the novel, but also works in other genres such as theatre, poetry, allegory, memoir, and so on. Furthermore, Francophone literature is also the literature of other French-speaking such as Belgium, Canada, Tunisia, and Viet Nam…

To carry out the Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism's Decision No. 2590/QD-BVHTTDL, dated September 16, 2020 on the approval of the Project “Francophone Book Space”; after a period of carrying out the work of signing MoU, receiving and performing technical processing for the donated books, on the morning of October 12, 2022, the National Library of Viet Nam (NLV) and the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) officially opened the Francophone Book Space at the NLV to meet the increasing demand for learning and researching materials in French of the community. The Francophone Book Space at the NLV was established with the support of OIF with an initial collection of more than 600 books in French. 50% of the collection are in the fields of social sciences economics, education, linguistic, applied sciences, health, agriculture, arts, sports, literature, and reference books; the remaining 50% are children books. Among them, there are such valuable books as: La Théo des fleuves by author Jean-Marc Turine, won the Five Continents Prize of the Francophonie (Vietnamese version is called “Người đàn bà Di gan” has been published in Viet Nam), or the comic series loved by many generations of children: Les Schtroumpfs, Spirou et Fantasio, Une aventure d'Astérix,…

Following the training course to be held in Sa Pa town, Lao Cai province for libraries in Northern region, on October 5, 2022, in Rach Gia city, Kien Giang province, the National Library of Viet Nam (NLV) organized closing ceremony of the training course “Digital Transformation Program of the library sector to 2025 with a vision to 2030” for libraries from Da Nang to Southern region. This is the last training course, held from October 4 to 5, 2022 and is a part of the digitization training program for public libraries, university libraries, special libraries and armed forces libraries nationwide. Speaking at the conclusion and closing of the training course, Ms. Kieu Thuy Nga – Director of the National Library of Viet Nam highly appreciated the trainees’ serious learning process. Although trainees have to familiarize themselves with new techniques, they have grasped the lecture content relatively quick and convenient. Besides listening to the lecturers introducing basic and important contents about digitizing library materials, many trainees had profound discussions and exchanges, creating a lively, positive learning atmosphere, helping the acquisition of knowledge about digitization of library materials get the best results...

To carry out the Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism's Decision No. 2175/QD-BVHTTDL, dated July 23, 2021 on the implementation of the Plan “Digital Transformation Program of the library sector to 2025 with a vision to 2030”, from September 29 to 30, 2022, in Sa Pa town, Lao Cai province, the National Library of Viet Nam organized a training course on “Digitization of library materials serving digital transformation”. Currently, digital transformation is taking place at high speech, opening the door for countries to promote innovation and improve national competitiveness. In Viet Nam, the Digital National Transformation Program approved by the Prime Minister set the goals with a 10-year vision will comprehensively change the country. In library activities, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 206/QD-TTg dated February 11, 2021 on “Digital Transformation Program of the library sector to 2025 with a vision to 2030”. The program has strongly promoted awareness about the role and value of digital transformation.

On the morning of September 20, 2022, a delegation of 10 comradesfrom the Lao Military Library, led by Lieutenant Colonel Khun Thong Tham Ma Vong – Deputy Director, paid a working visit and exchange experiences with the National Library of Viet Nam (NLV). Accompanying the delegation were representatives of the Viet Nam Military Library, Ms. Do Phuong Linh – Deputy Director. Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Anh – DeputyDirector of the National Library of Viet Namreceived the delegation. At the meeting, Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Anh expressed her pleasure to welcome the Lao Military Library delegation and spent time to briefly introduce the establishment and development history of the NLV over the last century, its main roles and mission, the information resources as well as the reading rooms system and information technology infrastructure.

On the morning of September 15, 2022, the Ambassador of the Republic of Argentinato Viet Nam, Mr. Luis Pablo María Beltramino paid a working visit to the National Library of Viet Nam (NLV). Ms. Kieu Thuy Nga, Director of the NLV received the delegation. Ambassador Luis Pablo María Beltramino proposed a cooperative program between the Argentine Embassy and the National Library of Viet Nam in the near future in two main areas:  First, regarding library activities, the Ambassador proposed the possibility of bilateral cooperation between the National Library of Viet Nam and the National Library of Argentina. The Ambassador expressed his desire to act as a bridge for the two libraries to contact and exchange, and if possible, to sign a cooperation agreement as a basis for implementing cooperative activities in the future. Secondly, the Embassy of the Republic of Argentina would like that the National Library of Viet Nam, with its experience and on the basis of the existing cooperative tie with the Argentine Embassy, could collaborate with the Embassy to organize some cultural activities in the series of joint activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Argentina in 2023.