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National Reading Day in Vietnam: Origins and Significance

April 21st marks Vietnam's Book and Reading Culture Day, a celebration aimed at fostering a love for reading. This year, in 2023, Vietnam celebrates its 9th annual Book Day, a testament to the nation's growing appreciation for literature and knowledge.

Administrator

10 July, 2024

April 21st is annually observed as Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day. This is a time when promotional activities and campaigns to encourage reading are enthusiastically conducted. Let’s explore the origins and significance of this day in the article below!

1 What is Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day?

Books are an invaluable treasure trove of human knowledge. However, the reading culture is diminishing among the younger generation. On February 24, 2014, the Prime Minister signed a decision to designate April 21st of every year as Vietnam Book Day to encourage reading and raise awareness about the importance of reading.

To take the reading culture to new heights, on November 4, 2021, the Prime Minister decided to organize Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day, replacing the previous Vietnam Book Day, still held annually on April 21st.

In 2023, Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day was held from Friday, April 21, 2023.

April 21st is chosen as Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day

2 Origin and Significance of Vietnam Book Day

Origin of Vietnam Book Day

Books hold immense spiritual value in people’s lives, offering infinite knowledge and illuminating the path toward the future. Fostering a reading culture is essential for sustainable development and preserving our precious traditions.

Recognizing its importance, on February 24, 2014, the Prime Minister decided to establish April 21st as Vietnam Book Day. This decision carries profound significance, empowering people to harness the full potential of knowledge and skills while upholding our nation’s long-standing tradition of valuing education.

Vietnam Book Day aims to promote the beauty of our national culture

Significance of Vietnam Book Day

Vietnam Book Day on April 21st holds tremendous significance. It is not just a cultural event that encourages reading but also contributes to building a progressive Vietnamese culture while preserving our national identity.

Additionally, April 21st marks the anniversary of the publication of the classic work “The Revolutionary Path” by President Ho Chi Minh, which was the first book printed by Vietnamese printers.

April 21st commemorates the classic work “The Revolutionary Path”

3 Theme of Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day

Theme for Vietnam Book Day 2023

Following the decision to organize Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day in 2021, in 2023, the Ministry of Information issued a plan for the second celebration of Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day, held from April 15, 2023, to May 1, 2023, with the theme “Books: Awareness – Innovation – Creativity” – “Books for Me, for You.”

Theme: “Books: Awareness – Innovation – Creativity” – “Books for Me, for You”

Themes of Vietnam Book Day in Previous Years

2015: Theme “Books – Cultural Intersection”
2016: Theme “Books – Integration, Innovation, and Development”
2017: Theme “Books – Knowledge and Social Development”
2018: Theme “Learn, Learn More, and Keep Learning”
2019: Theme “Books – Connecting Knowledge and Development”
2020: Theme “Reading Books, Enhancing Intelligence, and Overcoming Pandemic Worries”
2021: Theme “Books – The Mission of Developing a Reading Culture”
2022: Theme “Revitalizing Culture and Promoting a Reading Culture”
2023: Theme “Books: Awareness – Innovation – Creativity” – “Books for Me, for You”

The themes of Vietnam Book Day over the years have been associated with meaningful activities

4 Activities to Celebrate Vietnam Book Day

The annual commemoration of Vietnam Book Day features a range of meaningful activities:

Organizing an opening ceremony each year.
Promoting, encouraging, and motivating people to read at community libraries.
Providing guidance and assistance in searching for and selecting information from electronic book platforms.
Launching competitions related to books and knowledge-seeking, including contests for the community and parents of students.
Collaborating with universities, high schools, and elementary schools to participate in the week-long celebration of Vietnam Book Day.

Activities to celebrate Vietnam Book Day

The above information sheds light on the origins, significance, and activities of Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day on April 21st. We hope this article has been informative and useful for you.

Frequently asked questions

National Reading Day in Vietnam is observed annually on April 21st. It was established in 2014 by the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism to encourage reading and promote a love of books among the Vietnamese people.

April 21st was chosen to commemorate the birth anniversary of Vietnamese poet and scholar Nguyen Du, who is considered one of the greatest literary figures in Vietnamese history.

National Reading Day aims to raise awareness about the importance of reading and to foster a culture of learning and intellectual curiosity in Vietnam. It also seeks to honor the country’s rich literary heritage and encourage the development of local literature and publishing industries.

National Reading Day is marked by various events and activities across Vietnam, including book fairs, reading competitions, literary conferences, and book donation drives. Many people also take the opportunity to visit libraries and bookshops, and to exchange books and recommendations with friends and family.

National Reading Day can be promoted through social media campaigns, public service announcements, and collaborations with schools, libraries, and community organizations. Supporting local authors and publishers, as well as donating books to underserved communities, are also great ways to show support for this important initiative.