Social networks are more attractive to readers than book publications
On the afternoon of October 10, in Hanoi, on the occasion of the 73rd anniversary of the Traditional Day of the Vietnam Publishing, Printing and Book Distribution Industry (October 10, 1982 - October 10, 2025), the Truth National Political Publishing House coordinated with the Vietnam Publishing Association and the Academy of Journalism and Communication to organize a National Scientific Conference "orientation for developing Vietnamese publishing in the digital era".
Speaking at the workshop, Associate Professor, Dr. Vu Trong Lam, Director - Editor-in-Chief of the National Political Publishing House Truth - said that the digital age marks a comprehensive revolution in the way people connect, create and operate society.
In addition to opportunities and advantages, the digital age also poses many intertwined challenges for the publishing industry, changing the reading habits, distribution methods as well as readers' tastes.
According to Associate Professor, Dr. Vu Trong Lam, social networks and other forms of entertainment on the internet platform are more attractive and appealing to people, especially young people, than books (both traditional paper books and electronic books).
According to this person, cyberspace has also been a "fertile land" where copyright violations, smuggled and counterfeit printed books are rampant. It is not difficult to see that on social networks and in groups, there are many posts selling books, liquidating, moving stores, releasing warehouses... with book prices much cheaper than real book prices.
"There are many reasons to give cheap books, especially good books, hot books sold at just 1/3 of the cover price, a very convincing way for "real" books to compete.
The situation of copyright violations, smuggled and fake printed books is not only an economic problem for publishers and distributors, but also directly affects intellectual property rights, eliminates creativity, and violates the legitimate rights and interests of authors" - Associate Professor, Dr. Vu Trong Lam stated.
Innovation to become a creative industry of the digital age
In his opening speech, Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Minh Tuan - Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Communist Magazine, Chairman of the Vietnam Publishing Association - stated that the workshop was organized to summarize the practical implementation of Directive 44, while identifying new development trends of the publishing industry in the context of comprehensive digital transformation.
This is an important opportunity to evaluate achievements, frankly acknowledge difficulties, propose feasible solutions, and contribute to turning the publishing industry into a modern cultural industry, regional and international.
According to Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Minh Tuan, Vietnam has never had such a position, prestige and development aspiration as today. In that journey, publishing must take the lead in the process of innovating thinking and creating culture, must be the beacon of knowledge, a pioneer force on the cultural - ideological front of the Party.
"Vietnamese publishing today is not only a communication industry of knowledge, but also a creative industry of the digital age - a convergence of technology, knowledge, culture and people" - Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Minh Tuan emphasized.
According to Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Minh Tuan, the transition from traditional publishing to digital publishing is not only a technical change, but a fundamental change in professional thinking: From "publishment production" to "content creation"; From "one-line publishing" to "developing the open knowledge ecosystem"; From "one-way tradition" to "multi-dimensional interaction" between publishers, authors and readers.
In which, technology is the driving force - people are the center - knowledge and political courage is the foundation.
