Opening Ceremony of the Book and Reading Culture Day 2025
On the morning of April 19, 2025, the National Library of Viet Nam (NLV) in collaboration with relevant agencies solemnly organized the opening of activities to celebrate the fourth Viet Nam Book and Reading Culture Day 2025. This is not only a meaningful cultural event, but also an opportunity to look back on the journey of developing the reading culture - a sustainable fundamental value contributing to the development of people and society in the new era.
Cultural Performance to celebrate the Book and Reading Culture Day 2025
Attending the Book and Reading Culture Day 2025, on the side of the Central guests were: Mr. Pham Quang Nghi - former member of the Politburo, former Secretary of the Ha Noi Party Committee, former Minister of Culture and Information; Mr. Phan Viet Luong - Vice Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee for Culture and Social Affairs; Mr. Phan Khac Hai - former Deputy Minister of Culture and Information; Mr. Tran Van Tung - former Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, Chairman of the National Association for Science and Technology Information; Mr. Tong Van Thanh - Director of the Department of Press and Publishing, Ms. Tran Thi Phuong Lan - Director of the Department of Culture, Arts and Literature, Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission; Mr. Nguyen Thai Binh - Deputy Director of the Truth National Political Publishing House.
On the international guest side, there were: Ambassadors, Deputy Ambassadors, Country Representatives, Cultural Attachés and officials from the Embassies of Poland, Chile, Cuba, Indonesia, Laos, Panama, and the Wallonie-Bruxelles Delegation in Viet Nam.
On the side of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MoCST), there were: Ms. Trinh Thi Thuy - Deputy Minister; Mr. Nguyen Xuan Dung - Director of the National Library of Viet Nam, Head of the Organizing Committee of the Book and Reading Culture Day 2025; Mr. Nguyen Nguyen - Director General of the Department of Publishing, Printing and Distribution; Mr. Dang Ha Viet - Director of the Department of Science, Training and Environment.
Also attending the event were representatives of the departments and offices of the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission, the National Assembly's Committee for Culture and Social Affairs; representatives of leaders and former leaders of Party agencies, Youth Union, departments, offices, units, professional associations under the management of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Education and Training, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of National Defense; representatives of libraries and information centers, publishers, bookstores, educational institutions, businesses, speakers, writers, poets, researchers, critics, scientists, managers, lecturers; organizations, individuals, news agency and press, and a large number of readers and the public...
Overview of Book and Reading Culture Day 2025
Mr. Nguyen Xuan Dung - Director of the National Library of Viet Nam, Head of the Organizing Committee of the Book and Reading Culture Day 2025 delivered the opening speech
As every year, the Book and Reading Culture Day 2025 is organized to affirm the position and role of books in social life; encourage and develop the reading movement in the community; raise people's awareness of the great significance and importance of reading in improving knowledge and skills, develop thinking, educate and train human personality; build reading habits in families, schools, institutions, organizations and communities; at the same time honor those who write books, make books, preserve and promote books, connect domestic and foreign readers, create positive effects, build a learning society, contribute to the development of Vietnamese culture and people towards the goal of sustainable development of the country.
Ms. Trinh Thi Thuy - Deputy Minister of the MoCST presented books to beneficiaries
Ribbon cutting to open Book and Reading Culture Day 2025
Outstanding activities creating the attraction of Book and Reading Culture Day 2025
Responding to the theme "Entering the era of national growth with Books", "Reading culture - Connecting the community", "Reading books - Enriching knowledge, Nurturing aspirations, Promoting innovation and creativity" of the Viet Nam Book and Reading Culture Day 2025 launched by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and at the same time aiming at the great celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification, the National Library of Viet Nam wishes to convey the message"Reading books - Reflecting - Acting - Spreading"through a series of profound, creative and humanistic activities.
1. Book exhibition: The Great Victory of Spring 1975 through the pages of books
The exhibition introduces and displays 800 books, organized according to 4 main contents including (1) The strategic vision of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and President Ho Chi Minh in the resistance war against American imperialism; (2) The great victory of Spring 1975 - The power of Vietnamese intelligence and the desire for peace; (3) The people who made history; (4) The country full of joy and achievements after 50 years of liberation. The exhibition provides a lot of useful information about the Vietnamese people's long-term resistance war against American imperialism; affirms the correct line, wise and talented leadership of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and President Ho Chi Minh, while honoring the spirit of solidarity, indomitable will and noble sacrifice of the entire nation under the slogan "All for the beloved South"... The exhibition is not only a display space but also a vivid journey, where history is recreated through each page and each story.
2. Discussion, author and work exchange
The program introduces two typical works of the People's Army Publishing House: "Mưa đỏ” (Red Rain) by writer Chu Lai and "Trong cơn gió lốc” (In the Whirlwind) by writer Khuat Quang Thuy with the participation ofwriters, literary critics, screenwriters and historical witnesses of the resistance war against the U.S. to save the country.
"Mưa đỏ" by writer Chu Lai is a tragic epic about the fight to protect Quang Tri Citadel, where life and death are close together, where ideals and beliefs are tested to the utmost. Meanwhile, "Trong cơn gió lốc" by writer Khuat Quang Thuy is an emotional novel, exploiting psychological developments, the struggles between ideals, life instincts and the harshness of war. Two works,although havingtwo separate styles, converge in humanistic depth, in genuine stirring, vividly depicting the image of soldiers during the years of resistance, resilient, brave but also very ordinary.
The exchange took place in an emotional, solemn but equally attractive atmosphere, taking participants on a journey back to the past to better understand the value of literature in preserving national memory.
3. Painting through books Contest themed “Country Full of Joy”
In the jubilant atmosphere of the historic April days, amidst a colorful space, the Painting Competition with the theme "Country Full of Joy" took place in a very exciting and meaningful way. Each painting is a separate world, where the love for the homeland is expressed by the students in a unique and emotional way. The competition is not only a playground for students to show off their painting talents, but also an opportunity to arouse national pride, love for traditional cultural values and belief in a bright future of the country. The colorful works and creative ideas have truly brought an atmosphere of "full of joy", spreading the love and pride for the Fatherland to everyone.
The 2025 Painting Competition was organizedin two forms: Individual Painting and Group Painting, attracting the participation of nearly 200 students from primary and secondary schools.With the quality of the entries being quite even, reflecting the theme of the competition, the Jury had to consider carefully and encountered many difficulties in the evaluation process to select the best works.
After 03 rounds of judging, with fairness and responsibility, the Organizing Committee awarded 02 First prizes, 02 Second prizes, 02 Third prizes, 09 Encouragement prizes to the groups and 02 First prizes, 04 Second prizes, 04 Third prizes, 10 Consolation prizes to the most outstanding individuals of the 02 competition blocks: Primary and Secondary School.
4. Storytelling Contest themed: "Viet Nam in my mind is"
Towards the 50th Anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification, the Storytelling Contest with the open theme "Viet Nam in my mind is" took place with great emotion and pride, attracting more than 200 young readers from primary schools in Ha Noi.
Each performance has its own unique and special mark, leading the audience to explore the heroic historical stories and unique cultural features of the country. From familiar book pages, the children have breathed life into them, incorporating genuine thoughts and feelings about their homeland and country. Each story not only demonstrates talent, creativity and unique ideas, creating a vibrant atmosphere, leaving a deep impression in the hearts of the audience, but also shows pride in the achievements that our ancestors have worked hard to build. Faced with the richness and brilliance of the performances, the Jury had to consider many factors from storytelling techniques, emotions when conveying the story’s content, to creativity and meaningful messages, in order to make the most fair and worthy decision. And finally, the Special Prize of the Competition was awarded to the team from Tay Son Primary School with the performance “Người mẹ cầm súng” (The mother holding a gun).
5. Thematic Reading Activity: “Stories of Heroes”
In a space filled with laughter and excitement at the Children's Cultural Library, preschool children listened to the librarians tell "Stories of Heroes". The stories opened up a world full of brave and kind characters. With emotional voices and realistic illustrations, the images of heroes appeared so close and admirable, sowing the seeds of patriotism and gratitude in the children's young souls, while helping them develop language and imagination, evoking beautiful emotions, nurturing noble qualities from the first years of life. Participating in this activity, children not only listened to the librarians read books but also participated in funny scenes, transforming into characters in the book... With their intelligence, agility, and good interactions, many children received awards from the Organizing Committee of theprogram.
6. Game show: Journey to follow the footsteps
The intellectual and physical Game show attracted students from high schools and universities in Ha Noi to actively participate in. The participants were divided into 05 teams, each team consisted of 05 members, going through 3 exciting and challenging rounds: Time Decoding; Secret Message Communication and The Last Book.
The rules of the game require that in addition to being agile, the participants must also have a solid knowledge of historical events, have the ability to reason, have the skills to communicate information and be creative to decode the secret messages hidden in the books placed in different library locations and quickly bring bonus points to their team. This is a highly educational activity, not only bringing joy, strengthening solidarity, practicing information analysis and synthesis skills but also creating conditions for players to have the opportunity to learn more about an important historical period of the nation. After a period of intense pursuit between the rounds, the contestants showed admirable courage and perseverance. And the final victory was named Team 01, including young people from the Academy of Cryptography, the Academy of Finance and Ha Noi National University of Education.
7. Experiential Activity “Memory Book - Soldier's Story”
In a space that recreates the forest where the soldiers passed through, the librarians guide the children to fold each page, meticulously sew each stitch, and make a special notebook by hand. This experiential activity is not only a simple craft lesson, but also a quiet journey to connect with the sacred memories of the soldiers of the past. Each fold, each stitch is like a deep note, recalling the arduous but heroic years of the nation. This small notebook, when completed, will not only preserve the written pages, but also be a symbol of respect and deep gratitude to those who sacrificed their blood and bones to protect the Fatherland. Each step, from choosing paper to decorating the cover, contains the passion and desire to record and spread stories and precious memories of a bygone era, so that generations of today and future will forever remember the merits of their ancestors.
Along with that, the display of simulated wartime diaries in this space is also a rich learning experience, providing children with historical knowledge and many memorable memories.
8. "Books-Clean-Green" Campaign
Accompanying this year's Book and Reading Culture Day is the "Books - Clean - Green" Campaign, a meaningful initiative to combine reading culture with a sustainable green lifestyle, demonstrating a commitment to building a civilized community that loves knowledge and is responsible for the environment.
With the slogan "Recycle Waste-Bring Books Home", the Campaign will take place for 21 days, from April 1-21, 2025. During this period,the NLV has promoted the campaign to the community through social networking platforms and organized the collection and receipt of more than 1,000 kg of paper and recyclable materials, and at the same time, given to book-loving readers more than 300 books, with rich content, beautiful form, suitable for their needs.
In conjunction with the Campaign, NLV’s staff directly guided the children to cut, paste, and decorate to create products made from recycled materials. This activity attracted a large number of children to participate in. Each of them brought unique ideas, contribute to creating unique and interesting products. The activity not only helped create beautiful products but also raised awareness about environmental protection.
Also within the framework of this event, the NLV continues to be a trusted address to receive and share book and equipment donations from organizations and individuals to libraries in remote and disadvantaged areas across the country.
The theme of Book and Reading Culture Day 2025 at the National Library of Viet Nam "Each page of a book - A source of pride" is not just a slogan. It is an affirmation that knowledge is an indispensable part of national identity. Every page turned, every book given, will inspire a soul, awaken a mind, and begin a new journey of discovery.
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News, photos: Reference Division