Refreshing the book fair

The first book fair has a media ambassador.

The Saigon Ward Book Fair, organized by the Vietnam Women's Publishing House Branch in Ho Chi Minh City, took place from September 5 to 14 at the branch headquarters (No. 16, Alexandre De Rhodes Street, Saigon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City).

Readers are excited to buy books at the Saigon Ward Book Fair.

In particular, this is the first time there has been the appearance of Media Ambassadors, who are influential people in the community such as translator Nguyen Bich Lan, the couple Nguyen Tung Duong - Ninh Anh Bui, singer Lamoon, author and CEO of The Forum Nguyen Hoang Huy... Before the book fair took place, these ambassadors actively spread information on their channels, to help the book fair become known to many people.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu, Director of the Vietnam Women's Publishing House Branch in Ho Chi Minh City, said that inviting speakers or influential young people in the community to take on the role of Communication Ambassadors is a way to join hands to help spread the reading culture. According to Ms. Thu, the habit of reading needs to be sown persistently and persistently, because this is very difficult, especially in the current technological age, when everyone is busy and short, hasty content is flooding the market. "When it comes to books and reading culture, speakers and young people are very enthusiastic in supporting, attending and sharing. Some people do not receive remuneration or receive it at a symbolic level, while others use it to buy books to give away," Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu shared.

Although she only finished 8th grade and has no professional qualifications, for the past 25 years, translator Nguyen Bich Lan has continuously strived to overcome her own limits to translate books. She is a familiar translator of the Vietnamese Women's Publishing House as well as with readers through many translations such as Heidi, Angele's Ashes, the series Children of the Noisy Village, Live Vigorously, Chernobyl Prayer... "With the advantage of connecting with more than 30,000 readers through my personal page, I am very happy to be the Media Ambassador for this book fair, with the aim of helping good books reach book lovers", translator Nguyen Bich Lan expressed.

Focus on content

In addition to book discounts for readers, the Saigon Ward Book Fair also focuses on building reading habits, encouraging generations of readers to sit together and share with a variety of activities such as: "Bringing books home", experiencing a series of talk shows on culture and knowledge "There is a Saigon in today's memory", "IELTS-biz and English", "Critical thinking and social networks", "Men and mental health", "Cyber violence"... Not only building a series of useful events, the book fair also has the participation of many prestigious names in the role of speakers such as author Vu The Thanh, journalist Cu Mai Cong, screenwriter Hanh Ngo, director Minh Cao, Dr. Tra Anh Duy, Dr. Nguyen Thi Minh, model Hoang Thuy...

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu, the highlight of this book fair is the activity "Sit down and read together", which is held throughout. This is a space for slow, quiet reading, where everyone can choose a book and sit down to read together. This activity is inspired by Singapore's initiative to build a reading culture, for every 10 people who complete reading in at least 15 minutes, the Vietnam Women's Publishing House Branch will donate 1 book to the Compassionate Bookcase and the House of Wisdom, bringing it to schools in disadvantaged areas and communities lacking learning conditions.

“When organizing the Saigon Book Fair, we do not expect to sell books. Organizing a series of events and activities to help people see the need to read books. If supported by everyone, we hope to organize the book fair every year or 2-3 times a year, thereby creating a habit of reading books and creating a space for people who love knowledge,” said Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu.

Compared to recently organized book fairs such as Da Nang Book Fair (taking place from September 6 to 14 in Da Nang City), Nha Nam Book Fair welcoming autumn 2025 (taking place from September 9 to 14 in Hanoi City), Saigon Ward Book Fair is positioning itself with a new and unique approach. Attending the Saigon Ward Book Fair from the very beginning, Mr. Khac Binh (residing in Tan Phu Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) shared: "At this book fair, I was able to attend many exchange events between authors, translators, TikTokers... on interesting and practical topics. I really hope there will be more book fairs like this, to create more space for connection between book lovers and the community."

HO SON

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/lam-moi-hoi-sach-post812666.html