HÀ NỘI — The Hà Nội Book Fair 2016 will feature an exhibit introducing the relationship between Hà Nội and Việt Nam with ASEAN countries.

The book fair, hosted by the capital’s Department of Information and Communications, kicks off today, themed ‘Books and Integration’.

Various publications reflecting the culture and history of ASEAN countries are on display as the book fair celebrates one year of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).

The event is a festival for book lovers, an occasion to honour reading culture and a chance for cultural exchange between ASEAN countries.

The organising board worked with embassies of ASEAN countries to arrange booths introducing the culture and publications of each country.

Documentaries introducing the capital will be screened with the theme of Hà Nội in Foreigners’ Eyes, with English subtitles available.

Books, photos and documents on national sovereignty are displayed at an indoor space entitled Việt Nam’s Sea and Islands. The exhibition also showcases books and photos on the culture and society of the Trường Sa (Spratlys) Archipelago.

The book fair comprises 170 booths of 46 domestic and 20 foreign publishers. They present books in various genres including children’s books, literature, economy, science, books in foreign languages and e-books.

This is the first time foreign publishing houses will buy and sell copyrights at the book fair through the Hà Nội-based Squirrel Rights Agency. It’s expected that many contracts for translating and publishing books between Việt Nam and foreign publishers will be signed at the fair, according to Tuyết Nhung, from the Squirrel Rights Agency.

The book fair gathers famous publishers such as Graph Art Publishing House (Hungary), Glenat Publishing House (France), Kobunsha Publishing Company (Japan) and Pelangi Publishing Group (Malaysia).

“It’s also a chance for us to introduce publications, e-books and digital products of Việt Nam to foreign partners,” said Nhung.

Claudia Kaiser, vice chairwoman of the Frankfurt Book Fair, will exchange with local publishers and talk about the world publishing industry in a workshop.

Beside books for sale, visitors will have a chance to talk with authors and discuss best-sellers.

Remarkable subjects include love stories in The Sound of Colours by Taiwanese illustrator Jimmy Liao; how a father deals with naughty kids in a book by famous director/actor Trần Lực; Young Samurai by Chris Bradford, translated by Hoàng Hương Trang; and depictions of the LGBT community in a book series published by Huy Hoàng Company.

Children and parents can join painting activities inspired by books of the Kim Đồng Publishing House.

The book fair runs through next Monday to celebrate the 62nd Liberation Day of Hà Nội (October 10). It is open from 8am to 9pm, at Thăng Long Royal Citadel, 19C Hoàng Diệu Street, Hà Nội, with entrance free. — VNS