The festival showcases tens of thousands of books in an area spanning 1,000 square metres with more than 150 stalls in genres such as fiction, children's books, science books and life skills.
It also features audio and visual products presented by publishers from home and abroad and some rare and ancient books are on display.
Speaking at the opening, information and communications deputy minister Truong Minh Tuan affirmed that in an age of computers and the internet, the electronic library hasn’t replaced the book.
“Books remain a spiritual food indispensable in the cultural life of every person,” Tuan added.
“I wouldn’t miss the fair for anything,” said Le Quynh Mai, a second year university student. It has a spectacular cultural atmosphere and all the books that young people love to immerse themselves in.
Mostly young people are coming to the event she said, adding that she thinks the culture of reading among youth is still going up.
The event, co-organised by the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Hanoi municipal People’s Committee, and the Vietnam Publishers Association, is part of activities to celebrate the 2nd annual Vietnam Book Day (April 21).
The festival runs until April 21.
Some photos of the event:
