The Vietnam Book Day will be celebrated for the first time this year with many organisations and businesses nationwide expected to join in activities promoting the habit of reading.

Chu Van Hoa, Director of the Department of Publication under the Ministry of Information and Communications, said at a meeting on March 17 that a range of activities have been planned for the day, from book exhibitions, fairs and forums to book collection for disadvantaged children and rural libraries.

April 21 was designated as the Vietnam Book Day under Decision 284/QD-TTg issued by the Prime Minister on February 24 this year.

The annual event aims to encourage and develop reading in the community, while raising the public’s awareness of the significance of books as not only a source of knowledge but as a way to develop one’s thought and personality.

The event is also a chance to appreciate the efforts of those who are involved in book publishing such as book collectors, writers, publishers and distributors, the decision said.

The observance of the day will contribute to raising the responsibility of ministries, sectors and social organisations towards the building and promotion of the reading culture in Vietnam.-VNA