Hanoi Book Fair 2026: Integrating reading culture with the capital's cultural development

Vice Chairwoman of Hanoi People's Committee Vu Thu Ha speaks at the opening ceremony of the 11th Hanoi Book Fair 2026. (Photo: Duy Khanh)

On October 2, at the Hoan Kiem pedestrian space, the 11th Hanoi Book Fair 2026 opened with the theme “Books Open Knowledge – Technology Leads the Future”.

Attending the opening ceremony were Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda Department Nguyen Van Chien; Vice Chairwoman of Hanoi People's Committee Vu Thu Ha; Deputy Standing Head of the Propaganda Department of Hanoi Party Committee Vu Ha; Director of Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Pham Tuan Long.

The Book Fair takes place from October 1-4, is directed by the Hanoi People's Committee and organised by the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and features 31 reputable domestic publishing and distribution units.

This annual reading culture event is a meaningful celebration of the 72nd anniversary of the Capital's Liberation Day (October 10, 1954 - October 10, 2026) and the 74th anniversary of the Vietnamese Publishing, Printing, and Distribution Industry (October 10, 1952 - October 10, 2026). It helps promote the historical, cultural, and revolutionary traditions of the Capital and the nation, igniting pride in the thousand-year-old Thang Long - Hanoi.

Through the Book Fair, Hanoi continues to promote a reading culture, aiming to build a learning society and cultivate elegant, civilised Hanoians; simultaneously integrating reading culture with science, technology, innovation, digital transformation, and the development of the Capital's cultural industry.

Delegates visit the publications exhibition space at the Book Fair. (Source: Organising Committee)

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi People's Committee Vu Thu Ha emphasised that in the era of technology and digital transformation, books and reading culture remain crucial resources for nurturing knowledge and developing Hanoi's culture and people.

In line with Resolution No. 80-NQ/TW dated January 7, 2026, of the Politburo on the development of Vietnamese culture, Hanoi city is determined to develop the Capital's culture with the orientation of “Civilisation - Identity - Creativity - Integration - Connection”.

As the Capital, home to many publishing houses, distribution companies, and publishing links, this is one of the favourable conditions for enhancing spiritual quality and meeting people's reading culture needs.

The highlight of the Book Fair is two thematic exhibition spaces: “Civilization of Thang Long - Hanoi” and “Books Open Knowledge - Technology Leads the Future”, showcasing hundreds of notable publications, including those from the “Thang Long Thousand-Year Civilization” bookshelf, the “Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam Electronic Bookshelf”, and the “Science, Technology, Innovation, and Transformation Bookshelf”.

According to Ms Vu Thu Ha, the Hanoi Book Fair is not only a place for readers to find great books but also a space that inspires the spirit of reading, where cultural values are connected with modern knowledge through future technologies, spreading the love of books and the Capital's cultural values.

After 10 editions, the 11th Hanoi Book Fair 2026 features the participation of over 30 reputable publishers and book distributors nationwide, with two thematic book exhibition spaces showcasing hundreds of notable titles. Notably, these include titles from the Thang Long Thousand-Year Civilisation Bookshelf, the Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam Electronic Bookshelf, and the Science, Technology, Innovation, and Transformation Bookshelf.

Additionally, publishing and distribution units offer a wide range of book genres, along with promotional programs, catering to readers' needs for learning, exploration, and entertainment.

Many young people attend the Hanoi Book Fair. (Photo: Moc Mien)

Within the framework of the Hanoi Book Fair 2026, a series of exchange events, seminars, and introductions to new publications on topics of history, culture, life, and people of Hanoi make for an attractive cultural weekend destination for the Capital's readers.

Notable events include the seminar “Dreaming of the Light of Kinh Ky” combined with the book launch “Fingerprint of the Street” by writer Nguyen Truong Quy; the program “Flavors of Hanoi's Old Quarter - Sketches and Essays” by the Hanoi Urban Sketching Group; the exchange “Hanoi - City, Faces, People” with classic works by Thach Lam, Hoang Dao Thuy, Doan Ke Thien, To Hoai (Kim Dong Publishing House); and the introduction of the publication “The Next Day: Transition, Change, and Moving Forward” by author Melinda French Gates organized by the Women's Publishing House.

Moreover, cultural activities such as calligraphy, rubbing the patterns on doctoral steles, the “Hand-Pasting the Globe” activity, and many attractive promotions from publishers also take place at the booths.

With diverse content and formats, the 11th Hanoi Book Fair 2026 aims to promote a reading habit within the community, encourage lifelong learning, and strengthen the connection between reading culture and science, technology, innovation, digital transformation, and the development of the Capital's cultural industry.

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