(VOVWORLD) - In the 2025-2026 school year, Can Tho City has rolled out a plan to strengthen the reading culture in schools, aiming to raise students’ awareness of the importance of reading in a learning society while fostering self-study skills and the ability to master knowledge in the modern era.
 The mobile library attracts a lot of students in Can Tho. (Photo: Hong Phuong/VOV's correspondent in the Mekong Delta) |
Thi Tran Co Do 1 Primary School in Can Tho City is among the educational institutions that have actively responded to citywide initiatives. The school has worked to nurture a spirit of lifelong learning by combining existing models with newly introduced ones. Through these efforts, reading is gradually becoming a regular activity among students.
“Library corners have been set up in classrooms, with each class maintaining a bookcase and a mini reading nook that encourages students to read every day. Schools also organize thematic reading campaigns focusing on President Ho Chi Minh, history, traditions and local heritage, science, and life skills. Together, these initiatives create an engaging reading environment and help promote a strong reading culture across schools,” said principal Nguyen Van Bay.
 Initiatives are put forward to spread the reading culture within the community. (Photo: Hong Phuong/VOV’s correspondent in the Mekong Delta) |
Meanwhile, the Can Tho City Library has stepped up its provision of digital resources and e-library services. It has printed and distributed 200 QR codes, allowing teachers and students to quickly access e-books, newspapers and magazines, thematic collections, and databases that support research and learning.
The multimedia mobile library model has been rolled out widely, offering a range of engaging activities such as on-campus reading sessions, storytelling, knowledge quizzes, coloring, author-work matching, and interactive games.
During the 2024-2025 school year, the mobile library reached 63 primary schools across nine districts, exceeding its target by 5%. In total, the program engaged 32,000 teachers and students and enabled access to 160,000 information resources.
“This program has helped students strengthen their reading habits, contributing to the development of a reading culture in the community and creating favorable conditions for teachers and students to access and use quality resources that meet their needs for teaching, learning, and recreation,” said Ha Hong Ngoc, Deputy head of Can Tho City’s Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.
Starting this year, the municipal Library will continue to expand both its print and digital collections. “This year, approximately 18,000 new titles will be added, making it easier, especially for students in rural areas, to access a diverse range of books and further promote a culture of reading in schools,” said Ngoc.
 Can Tho City presents awards to students who won prizes in the preliminary round of the 2025 Reading Culture Ambassador Contest. (Photo: Hong Phuong/VOV’s correspondent in the Mekong Delta) |
Can Tho City has launched the Reading Culture Ambassador Contest in schools, which attracted more than 7,000 entries last year. Six outstanding works were selected for the national final round of the Reading Culture Ambassador Contest.
“The Reading Culture Ambassador Contest is truly meaningful as it has taught me valuable lessons about listening, sharing, and appreciating the positive values that books bring. Most importantly, I have come to see reading culture as a quiet companion that helps me grow each day. I hope this spirit will continue to spread, so that everyone can enter the world of books and find inspiration, motivation, and confidence in themselves,” said Phan Bao Phuc, one of the third prize winners.