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.
The working session was chaired by Mr. Nguyen Xuan Dung, Director of the National Library of Viet Nam, with the participation of Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Anh, Deputy Director, along with representatives of managerial and professional staff from various divisions of the Library, and the two experts from the National Library of China, Mr. Rong Jie and Ms. Luo Chong.
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.
The Vietnamese and Chinese representatives engaged in an enthusiastic discussion on various models and solutions, and their potential application in each country. Both sides also agreed that the emergence of new technologies does not diminish the role of libraries; on the contrary, it drives libraries to continuously transform and upgrade. In this process, library staff will become architects of smart services, leaders in data intelligence, and key drivers for interdisciplinary cooperation. The discussions opened up many new possibilities for collaboration, particularly in developing smart library models, improving the quality of reader services through digital products and services, as well as in the preservation and digitization of documentary heritage.
The working visit of the NLC has contributed to strengthening the cooperation relation between the National Library of Viet Nam and the National Library of China, marking the first step in implementing the Cooperation Agreement signed by the two parties in April 2025. At the same time, the activity helps establish a foundation for promoting professional exchange programs, as well as more practical and effective cooperation in the future. These efforts aims toward building a modern library ecosystem that better meets the increasingly diverse needs of users in the digital era.
Photos from the event:
Overview of the meeting
Mr. Nguyen Xuan Dung, Director of the National Library of Viet Nam, chairing the meeting
Mr. Rong Jie presenting Innovative Information Technology Applications in reader services at the National Library of China
Ms. Luo Chong shared experience in developing the Smart Service Platform for Ancient Chinese Books
Discussions and exchanges on library products and services in the digital environment
Director of the National Library of Viet Nam and the Chinese experts exchanged commemorative gifts
National Library of Viet Nam leaders took a commemorative photo with the Chinese experts
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News: Duong Giang, Photos: Ngoc Phuong