On the evening of April 19, at Kim Dong Flower Garden, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism solemnly opened Hai Phong Book Street 2025 under the theme “Reading books — the road to success.” The program welcomed the 70th anniversary of Hai Phong Liberation Day and responded to the Red Flamboyant Festival — Hai Phong 2025. The central-level delegate was Ms. Doan Quynh Dung, Deputy Director of the Department of Grassroots Culture, Family and Libraries under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. City delegates included Mr. Le Anh Quan, Standing Vice Chairman of the Hai Phong People’s Committee; Mr. Nguyen Dinh Chuyen, Chairman of the City Party Committee’s Inspection Commission; Mr. Le Tri Vu, Head of the City Party Committee’s Organization Commission; Mr. Hoang Minh Cuong, Vice Chairman of the City People’s Committee; Ms. Tran Thi Hoang Mai, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Ms. Vuong Toan Thu Thuy, Deputy Head of the City Party Committee’s Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission; representatives of departments, sectors, agencies and localities; and large numbers of residents and visitors from inside and outside the city.
Delegates attend the program.
Book Street was the first activity held in Hai Phong as the city marked the 70th anniversary of its liberation, the 2025 Red Flamboyant Festival and Vietnamese Book Day on April 21. This cultural event lasted for a full month on the grounds of Kim Dong Flower Garden, one of the most beautiful gardens in the city center, and can be considered a new “reading culture specialty” of the city.
Ms. Tran Thi Hoang Mai, City Party Committee member and Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, delivers the opening remarks.
With 16 stalls, Hai Phong Book Street 2025 brought together 15 major domestic publishers and book distributors, presenting more than 10,000 titles in fields including children’s books, social sciences, natural sciences, literature and arts, and history and geography. The modern, welcoming stalls created a comfortable space for readers to explore knowledge and interact with people who make books. The event also displayed classic publications, readers’ favorite books and new titles following domestic and international market trends.
Mr. Le Anh Quan and Mr. Hoang Minh Cuong present flowers in appreciation of bookstores and publishers for their contributions to Hai Phong Book Street.
Beyond displaying and selling books, Hai Phong Book Street 2025 offered the public a rich experience space. The digital library and audiobook area attracted many young people interested in experiencing modern ways of accessing knowledge.
Mr. Nguyen Dinh Chuyen honors six students who were the city’s 2024 Reading Culture Ambassadors.
Throughout the event, many engaging activities took place, including author-reader exchanges, thematic seminars, inspirational talk shows, creative science programs for children, and lively street music performances that attracted residents and visitors.
Mr. Le Tri Vu and Ms. Tran Thi Hoang Mai present books to libraries and schools in the city.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ms. Tran Thi Hoang Mai, Director of the Hai Phong Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said: “Book Street is not only a place to honor reading culture, but also a space where publishing and book distribution organizations can meet, exchange experiences and expand cooperation opportunities. It is also an opportunity to promote and spread Vietnamese book brands to readers inside and outside the city.”
Performances at the opening ceremony’s arts program.
The event ran for one month, from April 19 to May 20, 2025. It was not only an ideal meeting place for book lovers but also helped shape reading habits in the community, especially among young people. As digital technology develops rapidly, the presence of Book Street affirms that printed books retain their core value as humanity’s enduring storehouse of knowledge.
Hai Phong Book Street 2025 is a new “reading culture specialty” of the red-flamboyant city. With thorough investment and creative programming, the event is expected to become a meaningful annual activity, helping build the image of a dynamic Hai Phong rich in cultural identity and continuously learning and advancing.
The program attracts large numbers of residents and visitors.
At the opening ceremony, participating bookstores and organizations — including the Hai Phong Museum and Library, AZ Vietnam Culture and Communications Company, Dan Tri Publishing House, Minh Long Bookstore, Tien Tho Bookstore, Tien Phong Bookstore, Fahasa Bookstore and Phuong Nam Bookstore — donated 1,173 books worth nearly VND 63 million to libraries, schools and several clubs, supporting students facing difficult circumstances in the city.
The “Books — a gateway to the future” tableau.
The opening program featured special performances by artists from the Hai Phong Traditional Theatre and students from the city’s Children’s Cultural Palace for the audience, especially young people, pupils, students and Hai Phong residents. The program included the songs “The Book I Love,” composed by Le Minh Phuc and performed by Khanh Chi and dancers; “The Pink Book I Love,” composed by Le Anh Ha and performed by Khanh An, Thu Ha and Ngoc Tram; and “Kim Dong,” performed by the Children’s Cultural Palace choir and dance group. It also featured the tableau “Books — a gateway to the future,” written and edited by Duong Dung, directed by Duong Dung and Quoc Kien, and performed by the Hai Phong Traditional Theatre.
On this occasion, the program also presented gifts to honor the six students who were named the city’s 2024 Reading Culture Ambassadors.
Source: Hai Phong Security Newspaper