Lâm Đình Thắng, director of the Department of Information and Communication, presents free books as gifts for the Lunar New Year to readers at the HCM City Tết Book Fair (from February 7-14). Photo vnexpress.net

HCM CITY — More than 16,000 books were given as Lunar New Year gifts to readers who attended the HCM City Tết (Lunar New Year) Book Fair.

The fair, taking place from February 7-14 in District 1, offered a series of activities to promote reading culture.

The event, with the theme “Xuân Yêu Thương – Tết Sum Vầy” (Spring of Love – Tết Gathering), is organised by the city Department of Information and Communications to create an entertaining and cultural activity for residents and visitors during the country’s biggest holiday.

The fair featured around 3,000 book titles of various topics from the city’s major publishers and book distributors such as Trẻ (Youth) Publishing House, Phương Nam Books, and HCM City General Publishing House.

An exhibition zone highlighted publications and poets celebrating Tết, news articles written by late President Hồ Chí Minh from 1954 to 1964, and publications by Party and State leaders.

In addition, the showcase also included documents, photos, and publications to mark the 70th anniversary of the Điện Biên Phủ Victory (May 7, 1954 – 2024), and the 80th anniversary of the Việt Nam People's Army.

Photos and publications on HCM City’s achievements in different fields were also featured.

The HCM City Journalists Association displayed over 100 special publications to welcome Tết from the city’s major newspapers and magazines such as Tuổi Trẻ (Youth), Thanh Niên (Young People) and Sài Gòn Giải Phóng (Liberated Sài Gòn).

The publishers this year also introduced hundreds of e-books and audio books at the event, which also featured several talks by authors and cultural experts and visitors, book introductions, and musical performances. A kid’s zone and a reading space were set up as well.

The fair attracted around 1 million visitors, a rise of 800,000 from last year’s event.

Lâm Đình Thắng, director of the Department of Information and Communications, said gifting books during Tết is not only a traditional ritual but also signifies the value of knowledge and hope for a new year.

Renowned writer Đông Vy said the culture of gifting books holds significant meaning in Vietnamese life, with the act symbolising emotion, joy, and love.

The annual event, first held in 2011, aims to promote reading culture and provide an enjoyable space for leisure and entertainment during the Tết holiday. — VNS