HCM City expects to become World Book Capital in 2025
Ho Chi Minh City is planning to apply for the title of UNESCO World Book Capital (WBC) in 2025, according to Lam Dinh Thang, Director of the municipal Department of Information and Communications.
Chilren enjoy reading books on a book street in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA)✱ – Ho Chi Minh City is planning to apply for the title of UNESCO World Book Capital (WBC) in 2025, according to Lam Dinh Thang, Director ofthe municipal Department of Information and Communications.
He said that thecity has advantages and potential to develop the publishing industry andreading culture in the community. There are 39domestic and foreign publishers, more than 140 distribution units, and nearly1,000 private bookstores in the city. It also has 1,500 local libraries andmore than 1,100 school libraries, creating a favourable environment to meet thereading needs of all people. For years, thepublishing industry and reading culture in the city have been thrivingstrongly. From 2015-2020, the city published about 2 million copiesof books on average each year with an annual growth rate of 10%. Facing the strongdevelopment trend of digital technology, the electronic publishing market inthe city has grown tremendously. In 2022, the number of electronic publicationsin the city increased more than three times compared to 2021, with more than 4million users, equivalent to 3.4 million copies of books being read. Moreover, witheffective models implemented in recent years, for example, the book streets, thecity is considered the "bright spot" of the whole country in thedevelopment of reading culture.
The title of WBC has been held each year since 2001 by atown or city committed to acting to create a culture of reading. It can providean important impetus to experiment and innovate in the ways that literacy andreading are promoted, as well as to invest in key infrastructure, not least libraries.
ﷺ Madrid in Spain was named the first WBC in 2001, Accraof Ghana in 2023, Strasbourg in France in 2024. UNESCO has launched the callfor cities interested in holding the title in 2025, with applications due to besubmitted no later than April 16./.
Thousands of books are set to go on show at the annual book street festival which will take place in downtown Ho Chi Minh City from February 9 to February 15 in celebration of the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet) festival.
Ho Chi Minh City Book Street has become known among book lovers as an ideal reading space and a venue for activities spreading the love and habit of reading.
Several recent surveys on the reading habits of children have shown that children's books by Vietnamese authors have been favoured by both young readers and their parents, in comparison with foreign books.
The third HCM City Book Fair for Children to promote the habit of reading among children and teenagers opened on July 15 at the HCM City Book Pedestrian Street.
While technology moves forward, with some 70 percent of the population having access to the internet, Vietnamese readers are being left behind. Although the digital transformation plays an important role in promoting reading culture in the country, overall readership is still lacking, according to Director of the Authority of Publication, Printing and Distribution Nguyen Nguyen.
It is the first time that the country is to hold a G1-level tournament which is expected to lure more than 100 athletes of 15 countries and regions at Go Vap Gymnasium.
Nguyen Trong Nha Uyen has made history for Vietnam’s dancesport by clinching a bronze medal in the solo Latin category at the WDSF World Championship 2025 in Germany.
The ambassador noted that among the 300,000 Vietnamese residing in the RoK, around 3,000 are living in Pyeongtaek and contributing actively to the local economy. Ho expressed his hope that the local authorities will continue support the overseas Vietnamese community in the city.
This is the first time since the adoption of the Convention that a country has served two consecutive terms on the Committee. The outcome shows the trust and recognition that member states have given Vietnam for its efforts and achievements in carrying out and promoting the Convention, as well as for its active role, strong standing, and growing credibility at UNESCO.
Quang Duc pottery is known for its wide range of forms, including wine bottles, jars, lime pots, vases, plant pots, incense burners and candle stands. Decorative motifs are equally rich, featuring mythical creatures, pastoral scenes, floral patterns, deer, peacocks, bats and more.
Vietnam’s cinematic appeal lies in its diverse settings, from terraced mountains and limestone karsts to bustling markets and ancient towns. Its mix of ethnic vibes, buzzing street life, and old traditions gives directors a goldmine for storytelling.
The Vietnamese team will gather on June 26 in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, where they will train until July 14 before departing for Indonesia for the ASEAN U23 Championship 2025, which runs from July 15 to 29. Vietnam will face Laos on July 19 and Cambodia on July 22 in the group stage.
The exhibition showcases more than 100 valuable documents and artifacts, divided into two main parts: “Journalist Nguyen Ai Quoc – Ho Chi Minh” and “President Ho Chi Minh – Founder and Mentor of Vietnamese Revolutionary Press.” This is an opportunity to recall the late leader’s journalism journey and affirm his exceptional role in founding and guiding the revolutionary press in Vietnam.
For the first time, the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) has granted Vietnam hosting rights for the two championships, including the Asian women’s solo category, which debuts this year as an officially recognised event.
Eight teams will join the tournament, divided into two groups. Group A features Vietnam, the Philippines, Sichuan Club (China), and Australia, while Group B consists of Vietnam U21, Korabelka Club (Russia), Taiwan (China), and U21 Thailand.
Despite strong home support and high expectations, Vietnam were unable to overcome the defending champions, who secured their third consecutive win over Vietnam in a regional final, following previous victories in 2014 and 2023.
The event, part of Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy strategy through 2030, was jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela and USM’s Faculty of International Relations. It attracted thousands of students from universities across Venezuela.
For the first time, Vietnamese audiences will have the opportunity to experience the ballet masterpiece "Don Quixote" in its original version by renowned choreographer Marius Petipa.
The contest carried deep meaning as it was the first time the life of Vietnamese women abroad had been highlighted as the central theme, said poet and writer Nguyen Quang Thieu, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers’ Association.
The event formed part of Vietnam’s ongoing campaign to seek UNESCO World Heritage status for the complex at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, scheduled to take place in Paris in July.
Creative cultural festivals are fast emerging as a new catalyst for tourism development in Vietnam, as localities increasingly invest in these vibrant events on a more systematic and larger scale.
This marks the first time Vietnam has hosted a continental-level Muay event which will feature competitions across 28 weight categories in combat and eight performance categories.
Chilren enjoy reading books on a book street in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: VNA) 
