Hanoi (VNA) – The 2017Book Festival officially opened at the National Library of Vietnam in Hanoi onApril 20 as part of activities to mark the Vietnam Book Day (April 21) and theWorld Book and Copyright Day (April 23).

The event, themed “Books –Knowledge and Social Development”, is jointly organised by the Ministry ofCulture, Sports and Tourism, the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Informationand Education, the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Ministry ofEducation and Training, and the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh CommunistYouth Union.

Director of the library Kieu ThuyNga said the book festival aims to reiterate the value, role and importance ofbooks in the society. It also honours those who collect, compile, publish,print and distribute books, and encourages book reading in the community.

Through the event, organisers wishto raise the responsibility of relevant bodies, social organisations and thewhole community for building and developing the reading culture in Vietnam, Ngaadded.

The festival features numerousactivities, including an exhibition introducing materials on the essence ofhuman knowledge, cultures and civilisations around the world, and the nation’sachievements in socio-economy, science-technology, education, health care,security and defence.

A book fair offering a wide range of books and discounts is taking place untilApril 23 as part of the festival.


Visitors to the event will have achance to exchange with renowned speakers such as historian Duong Trung Quoc, Secretary Generalof the Vietnam Association of Historical Sciences, and Vice President ofthe Vietnam Publishers Association Nguyen Kiem.


In addition, contest to tellstories in English, identify outstanding authors and books, and draw pictureswill be also organised.
The festival also raises fund and collects books for libraries in remoteareas.-VNA