The opening ceremony was attended by Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports Director Tran The Thuan, Deputy Head of the HCMC Party Committee’s Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission Nguyen Thi Kim Nguyen, and Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ho Chi Minh City Phan Hong An, along with many parents and children.
Held from June 26 to July 2 under the theme “Children Enjoy Reading, Learning Many Good Things,” the festival takes place simultaneously at three main venues, including the Ho Chi Minh City General Sciences Library, Aeon Mall – Sora Gardens in Binh Duong Ward, and the Revolutionary Tradition House in Vung Tau Ward.
Additional activities are also organized at the Ho Chi Minh City Book Street, Thu Duc Book Street and the Cu Chi Book Space.
This year’s festival brings together more than 50 organizations, 48 book booths, and over 150 programs, including author–reader exchanges, creative playgrounds, STEM experiences, arts activities, life skills training and cultural exploration.
A highlight of the event is a special exhibition marking the 50th anniversary of the renaming of Saigon–Gia Dinh to Ho Chi Minh City (July 2, 1976 – July 2, 2026).
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports Director Tran The Thuan said that this year’s festival is the largest ever in scale, expanding beyond traditional cultural spaces such as libraries and book streets to reach children in residential areas, social housing, worker dormitories, hospitals and disadvantaged communities.
He also noted that this is the first edition held after the expansion of Ho Chi Minh City’s development space, giving children more opportunities to connect, exchange, and learn about the history, culture, and development achievements of the region.
Every book that reaches children today helps nurture their minds, enrich their knowledge, and inspire ambition and creativity, Director Tran The Thuan said.
