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.
Attending the Opening Ceremony, on the side of central government’s guests, were: Mr. Pham Quang Nghi, former Member of the Politburo, former Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee, former Minister of Culture and Information; Mr. Bui Hoai Son, Standing Member of the National Assembly’s Committee for Culture and Society; and Mr. Tong Van Thanh, Director General of the Department of Press and Publishing under the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Committee.
On the side of international guests, there were representatives from the embassies of: Argentina, Poland, India, Chile, Cuba, China, Hungary, and Italy; as well as international organizations in Viet Nam: the Wallonie-Bruxelles Delegation, the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), and the China Cultural Center….
Representing the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism were: Ms. Trinh Thi Thuy, Deputy Minister; Ms. Ninh Thi Thu Huong, Director General of the Department of Grassroots Culture, Family, and Libraries, along with leaders of Departments, Bureaus, and units under the MoCST.
The event also welcomed representatives from the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Committee, the National Assembly’s Committee for Culture and Society; the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, and professional associations; as well as leaders of libraries, information centers, publishing houses, bookstores, educational institutions, businesses, speakers, writers, poets, researchers, scientists, lecturers; press agencies, and a large number of readers and the public.
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.
Mr. Nguyen Xuan Dung – Director, Head of the Organizing Committee of the Viet Nam Book and Reading Culture Day 2026 – NLV
At the opening ceremony, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Dung, Director of the NLV and Head of the Organizing Committee, emphasized that in the context of strong digital transformation, books and reading culture serve not only as the foundation of knowledge but also as a driving force for creativity, independent thinking, and human adaptability. Therefore, reading is no longer just receiving information but a process of selection, analysis, and construction of new knowledge to enhance individual capacity…
Within the framework of the opening ceremony, the Organizing Committee donated over 5,000 books to public, university, and school libraries, as well as community reading culture libraries, aiming to improve spiritual life, gradually bridge the gap in knowledge access, and contribute to spreading reading culture in the community.
With the theme “Flows of Knowledge – From Book Pages to Digital Spaces” the activities were designed as a continuous stream, offering visitors and book lovers’ rich and impressive experiences:
1. Exhibition “From Book Pages to Digital Spaces”
As the inaugural event launching the 2026 Viet Nam Book and Reading Culture Day, the exhibition is structured into five thematic “Flows” - The Source, The Outreach, The Creativity, The Digital, and The Connection & Experience - enabling a systematic and seamless display of knowledge that is both innovative and creatively presented. More than just a showcase of publications and intellectual values, the exhibition strives to cultivate an interactive space where the community can engage with knowledge through diverse formats, thereby reaffirming the vital role of knowledge as a primary driver for human and social development while highlighting the inevitable digital transformation of knowledge in the future. To date, the exhibition attracted significant attention from a wide audience, including readers, the public, and book lovers.
2. Talkshow: "What do Young People read in the Digital Age?"
Taking place in an open and highly interactive atmosphere, the Talkshow evolved into an open dialogue where speakers from the School of Journalism and Communication (VNU-USSH), STEAM for Viet Nam, AI for Viet Nam, and Inbook shared multidimensional perspectives. Through a harmonious blend of theoretical foundations and vivid practical experiences, the program not only suggested new approaches to knowledge acquisition in the digital era but also bridged the gap between "speakers" and "audience." It was this profound discussion and natural interaction that created a special appeal, leaving a lasting impression and spreading meaningful values throughout the community of young book lovers in attendance.
3. English Storytelling Contest
The English Storytelling Contest, themed “Onward – More than a Book Story” left a profound impression through confident performances where competing teams skillfully blended linguistic flexibility with professional stage presence to breathe life into every story. Each performance did more than merely convey the content; it opened up diverse emotional spaces, full of charm and artistic merit, captivating the entire audience. Facing a field of consistently high-quality and impressive contestants, the Board of Judges worked with meticulous care and a high sense of responsibility to select the most outstanding representatives. Ultimately, the Organizing Committee decided to award the Special Prize to the team from Tay Son Primary School.
4. Awards Ceremony of the Digital Product Creation Contest: "Telling Stories with AI"
As the only competition organized in an online format for two age groups (13–17 and 18–24), "Telling Story with AI" attracted over 300 unique entries after nearly a month of launching, demonstrating a creative process where technology does not replace humans but rather serves as a "co-author" alongside young creator.
Adhering to a spirit of impartiality and a set of rigorous criteria, the Board of Judges selected 01 First Prize, 03 Second Prizes, 06 Third Prizes, 15 Consolation Prizes, and 03 Topical Prizes for products that were not only innovative in form but also preserved the "soul and essence" of the original stories. The awards ceremony, live streamed directly via the Fanpage Thư viện Quốc gia Việt Nam, served as an occasion to honor outstanding works and young faces who dared to experiment and innovate in their storytelling, ultimately garnering significant attention from both the physical audience at the event and the online community.
5. Book Cover Design Contest: "Colors of Technology and Life"
The atmosphere at the "Colors of Technology and Life" book cover design contest area became vibrant from the very first minutes, featuring nearly 300 entries created on-site where each artwork represented a unique "decoding" of technology through a youthful lens.
In this arena, contestants not only competed in graphic techniques but also demonstrated their prowess in conveying profound messages: ranging from brilliant future worlds to humanistic perspectives that place people at the heart of all development. Highly appreciating the breakthroughs in thinking and unique creative abilities, the Board of Judges decided to award 02 Special Prizes, 04 First Prizes, 06 Second Prizes, 06 Third Prizes, and 20 Promising Prizes to works characterized by tight compositions, clear concepts, and striking imagery.
6. STEM Activity - Model Design Contest: "Community Book Stations"
The "Community Book Stations"design contest served as both a creative playground and a thrilling race of practical thinking, where competing teams faced a dual challenge: creating an aesthetically pleasing reading space while ensuring operational feasibility and environmental sustainability.
Every detail, from material optimization to long-term maintenance strategies for the stations, was profoundly researched by the teams, resulting in models that are not only beautiful on paper but also ready to be implemented in real life to help shape practical and accessible knowledge hubs. Surpassing the rigorous criteria set by the Board of Judges, the team from Ngo Sy Lien Secondary School delivered an outstanding performance to claim the championship title.
7. Book Exchange Station: "Every Book – A New Journey"
Taking place throughout the entire event, the "Every Book – A New Journey" Book Exchange Station serves as a crossroads where old and new values intersect, breathing renewed vitality into every page. Each book handed over represents more than a mere physical transition; it marks the beginning of a continued journey of value where knowledge is shared in a deeply meaningful way. The space remains consistently vibrant and warm with every exchange, as participants not only seek out suitable titles for themselves but also share the personal stories and unique imprints associated with each book. It is this gentle yet profound interaction that contributes to creating a special "emotional touchpoint," where reading is no longer a personal experience but become a thread that binds the community together.
8. Experience Activity: "Tiny Threads of Connection"
"Tiny Threads of Connection" became one of the most popular attractions for young children. Under the dedicated and meticulous guidance of paper preservation technicians, the tiny threads seemed to be "awakened" by the skillful hands of the children. Each stitch and thread did more than just shape the final product; they wove together patience, focus, and the pure joy of creation. Each completed book bears a unique personal imprint, becoming a beautiful memory that the children can cherish long after leaving the program. Beyond the hands-on process of binding a book, the children also had the opportunity to engage with special publications and participate in the event’s interactive quizzes, creating a harmonious blend of activities that transformed reading from a solitary task into a natural and evocative part of their journey of discovery.
9. Book Booths
Featuring a wide array of genres—ranging from children’s literature and life skills to specialized research publications—each booth opened up a distinct and captivating world of knowledge. Within this space, many readers paused to carefully browse and cherish each page until they discovered a truly compatible companion for their intellectual journey. The favored publications carried home were not merely to satisfy a reading need but also encapsulated the joy of discovery and a profound resonance found in the pursuit of knowledge.
Although the 2026 Viet Nam Book and Reading Culture Day at the National Library of Viet Nam has officially concluded, the values resonated from this series of activities continue to spread, inspiring a passion for reading and binding the community together through a persistent and soulful flow of knowledge.
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News: Hong Van; Photos: Reference Division