More than 20,000 books from 50 publishers were on exhibition at Thang Long Citadel. The highlight of the exhibition was the Knowledge Gate and a road made from books hung from the centre of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel. The heritage aspect was demonstrated through the performances of Vietnamese traditional music at the historical site.
"Hanoi is a city with very rich history and culture. The Imperial Citadel is recognised by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage. Therefore, we chose the theme books and heritage to introduce the image of Hanoi to people all over the world", said Phan Lan Tu, Director of Department of Information and Communications.
The book fair is also an opportunity for publishers to understand consumer taste better. Van Hau, local resident, said: "I’ve been waiting for this event and I came here right after it opened. This event is very meaningful because it nourishes the love for reading among people. Reading is suffering as other distractions, especially the internet, capture people’s attention. Reading helps people calm their mind, and therefore, think more deeply".
The exhibition was divided into three main sections: “The Communist Party and Uncle Ho”, “national sovereignty and islands” and “Hanoi- a city for peace”. More than 20 panel discussions will he held featuring writers, publishers, researchers and the audience. The event will run until Oct 5th.
