Official suggests application for recognition of Ho Chi Minh City as world book capital

Thang made the proposal during a conference held by the Authority of Publication, Printing, and Distribution under the Ministry of Information and Communications in Ho Chi Minh City on Friday, hailing the city as an ‘exemplary model’ for the development of a reading culture nationwide.

The title of WBC has been held each year since 2001 by a town or city committed to acting to create a culture of reading. 

It can provide an important impetus to experiment and innovate in the ways that literacy and reading are promoted, as well as to invest in key infrastructure, not least libraries.

Madrid in Spain was named the first WBC city in 2001 and the 2023 holder is Accra of Ghana, while Strasbourg in France is the city last recognized as the 2024 WBC.

UNESCO has launched the call for cities interested in holding the title in 2025, with applications due to be submitted no later than April 16.

Delegates attend a conference held by the Authority of Publication, Printing, and Distribution under the Ministry of Information and Communications in Ho Chi Minh City on February 17, 2023. Photo: Tran Mac / Tuoi Tre

Ho Chi Minh City is home to Nguyen Van Binh Street, Vietnam’s first book street, which was opened in January 2016.

The book street welcomed nearly 600,000 visitors and book buyers during the recent spring festival from January 19 to 26, earning a revenue of over VND6 billion (US$251,900) from more than 41,000 books sold.

Reporting on the publishing performance in 2022 at Friday’s conference, Nguyen Nguyen, director of the Authority of Publication, Printing, and Distribution, said that the total industry revenue approached VND4 trillion ($168 million) in the year, contributing VND415 billion ($17.4 million) to the state budget and gaining an after-tax profit of VND429.5 billion ($18 million).

Among all publishing houses, five achieved over VND100 billion ($4.2 million) in revenue.

On average, 6.02 books were published per capita, the highest rate ever.

However, 3.04 of those 6.02 books were textbooks.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

Lam Dinh Thang, director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Information and Communications, has proposed the information ministry to prepare the southern metropolis’ bid for the title of UNESCO World Book Capital City (WBC) in 2025.

Thang made the proposal during a conference held by the Authority of Publication, Printing, and Distribution under the Ministry of Information and Communications in Ho Chi Minh City on Friday, hailing the city as an ‘exemplary model’ for the development of a reading culture nationwide.

The title of WBC has been held each year since 2001 by a town or city committed to acting to create a culture of reading. 

It can provide an important impetus to experiment and innovate in the ways that literacy and reading are promoted, as well as to invest in key infrastructure, not least libraries.

Madrid in Spain was named the first WBC city in 2001 and the 2023 holder is Accra of Ghana, while Strasbourg in France is the city last recognized as the 2024 WBC.

UNESCO has launched the call for cities interested in holding the title in 2025, with applications due to be submitted no later than April 16.

Delegates attend a conference held by the Authority of Publication, Printing, and Distribution under the Ministry of Information and Communications in Ho Chi Minh City on February 17, 2023. Photo: Tran Mac / Tuoi Tre

Ho Chi Minh City is home to Nguyen Van Binh Street, Vietnam’s first book street, which was opened in January 2016.

The book street welcomed nearly 600,000 visitors and book buyers during the recent spring festival from January 19 to 26, earning a revenue of over VND6 billion (US$251,900) from more than 41,000 books sold.

Reporting on the publishing performance in 2022 at Friday’s conference, Nguyen Nguyen, director of the Authority of Publication, Printing, and Distribution, said that the total industry revenue approached VND4 trillion ($168 million) in the year, contributing VND415 billion ($17.4 million) to the state budget and gaining an after-tax profit of VND429.5 billion ($18 million).

Among all publishing houses, five achieved over VND100 billion ($4.2 million) in revenue.

On average, 6.02 books were published per capita, the highest rate ever.

However, 3.04 of those 6.02 books were textbooks.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

The post Official suggests application for recognition of Ho Chi Minh City as world book capital appeared first on Vietexplorer.com.

View more from VietExplorer:

Vietnam Grand Prix ticket sales opened for two last stands at VinMart convenience stores
‘Rainbow in the Snow’ by Nguyen Quang Hai won the most iconic goal ever
How much does it cost to sponsor Valentine Rossi?
Nguyen Quang Hai’s goal has been selected as iconic strike at AFC U23 Champs
Four Vietnamese footballers named in Best 11 of SEA Games
Vietnam wrapped up 30th SEA Games with 98 golds
First look at the 2020 Vietnam Grand Prix Hanoi Street Circuit after extra corner added
Vietnam’s Vingroup motivates SEA Games medalists with lucrative rewards
Popular Lunar New Year traditions in Vietnam
HCM City’s Ba Hoa market enjoys brisk trade for Doan Ngo festival
Jarai’s unique Po Thi funeral custom
The Si La’s unique costume
What you need to know about the 7th full-moon day of the year in Vietnam
Water resource ceremony of the Ede
Harvesting weaver ant eggs in Bac Giang province
The last iron forger keeps the furnace’s flame burning on Hanoi’s old street
Mong “docked tail” dog believed to bring luck to owners
Co Lao ethnic group
100-Pillar House attracts visitors to Dong Thap province
Wedding rituals of the Bo Y