40 publishers participate in the National Book Fair online.

Since the outbreak and spread of the Covid-19 pandemic worldwide, many social and economic activities have been disrupted. The publishing industry is no exception to these difficulties. According to information from the Department of Publishing, Printing and Distribution, the book industry has been significantly affected by Covid-19. In March, the revenue of some publishers, book companies, and distributors decreased by about 30-40%, and is expected to decline even further in April. Many companies and publishers have had to resort to temporary measures such as cutting working hours, reducing salaries and benefits. Many traditional bookstores have been forced to close.

In contrast to the traditional book market, the online book publishing market has experienced growth recently. Some online booksellers have achieved growth of 20-30%, with some even reaching 70%. While revenue from online sales is not yet enough to offset the decline in traditional sales, viewed positively, it remains the most suitable opportunity and direction to take.

Amidst the challenges facing the book industry and the widespread anxieties of the public, a major book fair has been organized on a digital platform. The first national online book fair, at book365.vn, is scheduled to open on April 19th and run until mid-May, with the theme "Reading, enhancing intelligence, overcoming the anxieties of the pandemic."

This is the first national online book fair decided by the Minister of Information and Communications, the Publishing, Printing and Distribution Department (Publishing Department), the Information & Communications Publishing House, and supported by several technology companies. The book fair features the participation of nearly 40 publishers and distributors. The selection is extensive, with thousands of titles. The books participating in the fair are of good quality, with attractive printing, and guaranteed copyright. Participating units also commit to discounts of up to 25% off the cover price.

Held on the website book365.vn, the 2020 National Online Book Fair features a user-friendly interface, supporting readers in easily and quickly searching for and purchasing books. Furthermore, thanks to the application of advanced technologies, the online book fair has optimized the experience for participants. To best serve readers, the organizers prioritize technology, integrating multiple interactive trading channels such as: web chat, a hotline, sharing, and commenting… To address one of the concerns of book buyers during the pandemic – shipping methods – the book fair organizers decided to offer free shipping for 20,000 orders with the sponsorship of Vnpost.

Amidst the widespread anxiety caused by Covid-19, the 2020 National Online Book Fair was organized to help alleviate people's confusion and boredom. It served as a channel to introduce readers to a source of knowledge and promote insightful reading. Beyond just a marketplace, the online book fair also featured many meaningful cultural programs. Over the course of a month, the fair included online panel discussions between authors, celebrities, and readers via technology and social media. Articles, book reviews, and reading guides from authors and readers helped buyers find valuable and worthwhile books. A book review, introduction, and reading competition was also held, with numerous honor roll and rankings offering attractive prizes.

My Tong