Official suggests application for recognition of Ho Chi Minh City as world book capital
Thang made the proposal during a conference held by the Authority of Publication, Printing, and Distribution under the Ministry of Information and Communications in Ho Chi Minh City on Friday, hailing the city as an ‘exemplary model’ for the development of a reading culture nationwide. The title of WBC has been held each year since 2001 by a town or city committed to acting to create a culture of reading. It can provide an important impetus to experiment and innovate in the ways that literacy and reading are promoted, as well as to invest in key infrastructure, not least libraries. Madrid in Spain was named the first WBC city in 2001 and the 2023 holder is Accra of Ghana, while Strasbourg in France is the city last recognized as the 2024 WBC. UNESCO has launched the call for cities interested in holding the title in 2025, with applications due to be submitted no later than April 16. Delegates attend a conference held by the Authority of Publication, Printing, and Distrib