The main program for the 6th Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) children's book fair will run from 26/6 to 2/7, centered on the theme "Children enjoy reading, learning many good things". According to a representative from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports, the organizing unit, this event is a key cultural highlight for the city this summer, contributing to the development of creative thinking and fostering sustainable reading habits among children.

Young readers in Binh Duong ward visit a recently donated community bookshelf. *Phuong Huyen*

The book fair will be held at three main locations: the Ho Chi Minh City General Science Library, the Sora Gardens complex in Binh Duong ward, and Vung Tau book street. Many publishers, book distributors, universities, and libraries will participate, offering thousands of book titles to meet children's learning and entertainment needs.

Several activities will also extend to the Ho Chi Minh City book street, Thu Duc City book street, as well as residential areas, apartment complexes, and worker dormitories in remote areas. The organizers state this expansion aims to spread reading habits to less privileged communities, ensuring all children have the opportunity to participate. This model helps establish reading points directly within residential areas.

Some locations will host author exchanges, reading promotion talks, creative workshops, and community book donations. Additionally, many experiential activities will take place at shelters, social protection facilities, and centers for children with disabilities.

This year's book fair dedicates significant space to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), robotics, and creative technology. Children can engage 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, exploring topics such as the universe, human history, the human brain, the Anthropocene era, and artificial intelligence (AI).

Pilot reading promotion book fair event at an apartment complex in Cat Lai ward, Ho Chi Minh City. *Ho Chi Minh City*

Throughout the seven days, the book fair will feature over 100 activities, including: storytelling from books, cultural reading ambassador exchanges, art competitions, book cover design, and comic creation. Over 100 children will experience making Dong Ho paintings with artisans. They will also meet writers, poets, and artists during discussions with writer 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 lead inspiring activities under the theme "Going further on the learning path with books."

Beyond activities for children, the book fair also includes programs for parents. Several talks will address topics such as building reading habits at home, the merits of physical books versus digital devices, and how to help children love books in the AI era. According to the organizers, the book fair conveys a message emphasizing the importance of children's education, because "each child today is the future of the city tomorrow."

Mai Nhat