At the opening ceremony on 26/6, Tran The Thuan, Director of the Department of Culture and Sports Ho Chi Minh City, stated that a distinctive feature this year is the expanded space. Beyond traditional venues like libraries and book streets, the book fair is reaching young readers in residential areas, social housing, worker dormitories, hospitals, and disadvantaged communities.

"This demonstrates the city's determination to ensure all children have the opportunity to access knowledge", he stated.

A cultural performance opens the 6th Ho Chi Minh City Children's Book Fair on 26/6. Photo: Duy Hieu

According to the organizing unit, over six editions, the book fair has become a familiar summer destination for children. The program helps spread a love for books and fosters reading habits among children. This year, in anticipation of the 50th anniversary of Saigon - Gia Dinh being renamed Ho Chi Minh City (2/7/1976 - 2/7/2026), the book fair is organized as a major cultural activity with the theme "I enjoy reading books, learning many good things."

The event runs from 26/6 to 2/7 at three main locations: the General Science Library Ho Chi Minh City, the Sora Gardens complex (Binh Duong ward), and Vung Tau book street. Over 50 units and 48 stalls are participating, offering more than 150 activities including interactions, experiences, creative workshops, and skill-building education, providing children with additional spaces for learning and play.

During the fair, Ho Chi Minh City book street features a free reading area for children and families, with over 100 national award-winning books. Young readers can explore 50 works about Saigon - Gia Dinh and Ho Chi Minh City, along with numerous books on local history, culture, and people.

Young readers try out creative technology models at the General Science Library Ho Chi Minh City on 26/6. Photo: Duy Hieu

This year's program dedicates significant space to STEM (a method for developing skills related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), robotics, and creative technology. Children can participate in fun science activities, robot maze challenges, robot soccer, and smart home models. A highlight is an interactive science exhibition organized by the General Science Library in collaboration with the Goethe Institute, introducing topics such as the universe, human history, the human brain, the Anthropocene era, and artificial intelligence (AI).

Throughout the seven days, the book fair offers many activities: storytelling based on books, interactions with Cultural Reading Ambassadors, art competitions, book cover design, and comic creation. Over 100 children will experience making Dong Ho paintings with artisans. They will also meet authors, poets, and artists in discussion sessions with author Pham Thi Thuy, author Hoang Thuy Nguyen, author Thien An, poet-artist Song Pham, and reading specialist Thai Song Khe.

Cultural Reading Ambassador Nguyen Hoa Kim Thai will participate in inspiring activities under the theme "With books, go further on the path of learning." Additionally, several seminars for parents will discuss topics like building reading habits at home, choosing between physical books and digital devices, and how to help children love books in the AI era.

Tran The Thuan, Director of the Department of Culture and Sports Ho Chi Minh City, at the opening ceremony. Photo: Duy Hieu

At the opening ceremony, the organizing committee presented letters of appreciation and commemorative plaques to 35 organizations and individuals who have supported reading promotion and established community reading models in Ho Chi Minh City. Department representatives expressed hope that educational agencies, publishing units, and book distributors would accelerate digital transformation and implement mechanisms and policies to encourage authors and artists to create more valuable works for children.

"I hope parents and teachers continue to accompany children, so that books truly become friends on each child's journey of growth", Tran The Thuan said.

Mai Nhat