Nurturing a reading culture from within the family

The family is where children first get acquainted with books and form their earliest habits. From reading with their children every evening to encouraging them to choose books independently and share what they have read, parental companionship helps nurture a love for books, enriching knowledge and positive life values in children. 

Encouraging children to turn to books on their own

Tran Phuong Kha Di, a student in class 5D19 at Phan Rang Primary School (Campus 3), is particularly fond of history books. Stories about the Trung Sisters, Tran Hung Dao, Vo Thi Sau, and General Vo Nguyen Giap help her better understand national history, patriotism, and the spirit of overcoming difficulties. Kha Di shared: "I often read books by myself, but I also enjoy reading with my parents. When there are things I don't understand, my parents explain them to me. Through each story, I learn to be grateful to previous generations, cherish a peaceful life, and take responsibility toward my family and community." Ms. Ngo Thi Thao Linh (Kha Di's mother) said: “The family is the first place that introduces children to books. I often read with my child, talk about the characters, the stories, and the lessons after each reading. I also encourage her to retell them in her own words, share her thoughts, and relate them to things happening in everyday life.” 

According to Ms. Linh, children today are easily drawn to smartphones, video games, and forms of entertainment with vivid visuals and sounds. Rather than imposing bans, she guides her child to use devices reasonably, balancing time between study, play, and reading. She also encourages her daughter to draw favorite characters, retell stories, or share useful knowledge with others to make reading more engaging. Her passion for reading has also motivated Kha Di to actively take part in knowledge-seeking activities and promote reading culture. In 2024, Kha Di won third prize in the "I Love History" contest organized by the Department of Education and Training of Khanh Hoa Province (formerly Ninh Thuan). In 2026, she won first prize in the Khanh Hoa Provincial Reading Culture Ambassador Contest and was recognized as a National Reading Culture Ambassador...

At an older age, Le Nguyen Uyen Nghi, an 8C1 student at Nha Trang Secondary School (main campus), loves life skills books. While she previously sought out books about celebrities and historical figures, her current favorite is "38 Letters from Rockefeller to His Son". Uyen Nghi shared: “Every letter contains lessons on life, studying, and overcoming difficulties. I like the relatable advice that helps me reflect on myself and gives me more motivation to strive.” 

From what she reads, Uyen Nghi learns to be persistent, value time, and take responsibility for her actions. She puts this into practice by making study plans and completing small tasks each day. When encountering a good sentence or content she does not understand, she discusses it with her mother to gain a clearer understanding. 

Ms. Nguyen Thuy Giang (Uyen Nghi's mother) said that the family usually spends about 15 - 20 minutes reading books every evening. Some days, mother and daughter read the same book together; other days, each picks a separate book and shares it with the other. She also takes her daughter to bookstores to choose books based on her interests. “I want my child to approach books with curiosity and passion. When she was little, I read stories to her; as she grew older, I let her choose her own books and spend time reading every day. I don't place heavy pressure on her reading a lot, but rather focus on her initiative,” shared Ms. Thuy Giang. 

To limit the allure of phones, her family has not yet allowed Uyen Nghi to own a phone. When she needs to communicate or look up information, she uses the family's shared computer; her time for entertainment and watching news on her parents' phones is limited to about 30 minutes a day. Not only reading to acquire knowledge, Uyen Nghi also records her voice to create clips for YouTube. She has won first prize in the Provincial Reading Culture Ambassador Contest for two consecutive years in 2025 and 2026, and was also recognized as a National Reading Culture Ambassador in 2026. 

Joining hands to spread reading culture 

Mr. Dinh Xuan Huong, Director of the Provincial Library, believes that the family plays an important role in shaping reading habits, as children not only learn from what their parents teach but are also influenced by adults' daily actions. He shared: "To make children love books, we must first help them feel the joy of reading. Parents should not view reading merely as an academic task, but should turn reading into a bonding time for family members." 

Along with families, the Provincial Library organizes activities for children, such as book introductions, storytelling based on books, thematic book exhibitions, and the Reading Culture Ambassador Contest. The library also rotates books to grassroots levels, coordinates with schools to organize reading and experiential activities, and develops book introduction content in the digital environment to make access more convenient for readers. In the coming time, the library will continue to strengthen reading promotion activities associated with families, schools, and the community.

According to Mr. Dinh Xuan Huong, each family can start by setting up a small reading corner, choosing suitable books for their children, and spending time reading with them every day. Reading culture is not formed overnight, but needs to be nurtured through regular actions. When parents set an example, children are encouraged to explore and have opportunities to share what they have read, and books will gradually become part of family life, contributing to building lifelong learning habits.

TRAN HANG