The annual Vietnamese Book Day will open on April 18 in Ho Chi MinhCity, featuring a book fair and exhibition as well as talk shows.

Thefour-day event “Tu Hao Lich Su – Vung Buoc Tuong Lai” (Being Proud ofVietnamese History – Stepping Forward to the Future) celebrates the 40thanniversary of Reunification Day (April 30), and the 70th anniversaryof National Day (September 2).

The Vietnam Publishers Associationwill work with major publishers and distributors such as Kim Dong,Phuong Nam, and Nha Nam to offer their latest books.

The GeneralSciences Library of HCM City will present an exhibition displaying morethan 1,600 titles on the resistance war against the US, late PresidentHo Chi Minh, Vietnamese heroes, and the country's development. Therewill be talk shows between readers and authors, as well as discussionson reading habits and skills.

A fair offering old books isexpected to be a place where visitors can find their favourites, both inVietnamese and foreign languages.

Le Thai Hy, Director of thecity's Department of Information and Communications, said the event aimsto honour and promote the reading habit, and encourage culturalagencies and organisations to focus on developing the habit among youngpeople.

The event will be held in front of the Post Office, District 1.-VNA