Allure of 2026 Reading Culture Ambassador Contest

Some entries for the 2026 Dong Nai City Reading Culture Ambassador Contest.

The 2026 contest continued to attract strong participation, with thousands of carefully prepared, creative, and emotionally engaging entries. The contest has helped spread a love of reading and foster a reading culture in schools, families, and the wider community.

Pages nurturing dreams

The 2026 Dong Nai City Reading Culture Ambassador Contest was open to students from grades 1 to 12 and focused on themes: Books and the Dreams of Reaching Further, Reading Culture in the Digital and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Era, and Preserving National Cultural Identity. Going beyond reflections on books, many entries became heartfelt stories reflecting aspirations for learning, love for the homeland, gratitude for history, and the responsibilities of young people toward the community.

Nearly three months after its launch, the contest received more than 2,000 entries from students representing 118 educational institutions across the city. The submissions were distributed relatively evenly among the three educational levels, including 797 from primary schools, 525 from secondary schools, and 724 from high schools. Following a thorough review and classification in accordance with the contest regulations, the Organizing Committee selected 428 entries, including 371 written submissions and 57 video clips, that met the requirements for evaluation by the Judging Panel.

One notable feature of this year's contest was that students devoted greater effort to both the content and presentation of their entries. In addition to traditional written essays, many contestants created illustrative models, designed graphics, produced videos, and incorporated digital technology and AI to make their entries more engaging and visually appealing. Behind each entry was an inspiring story of the student’s journey with books.

For Sam Thi Quynh Chi, a student in Class 3A3 at Le Loi Primary School in Da Kia Commune, books are the keys to the world. Her reflection on Bup sen xanh (The Green Lotus Bud) by writer Son Tung has inspired her to strive in her studies and personal development while following President Ho Chi Minh's morality and lifestyle.

"Reading is not just a hobby; it also helps me sharpen my thinking, broaden my knowledge, and nurture my dreams. Every book offers valuable lessons about life, compassion, and the determination to overcome challenges. If I become a Reading Culture Ambassador, I hope to inspire more friends to love books because when more people enjoy reading, the community becomes a better place," said Quynh Chi.

Meanwhile, Huynh Bao Ngoc, a student in Class 7A8 at Tan Phu Secondary School in Dong Phu Ward, described reading as an indispensable part of her daily life. "No matter how busy I am with school, I always make time to read. To me, a book is like a companion that helps me understand life better. I always remember my favorite quotes from books, such as, “A good book gives us something good, a good friend gives us something great,” and “Books open new horizons before my eyes.” Those are the things that make me love reading even more," said Bao Ngoc.

Tran Thao Uyen, a student in Class 4/7, Trang Dai Primary School:

Books serve as companions on the journey of growing up

For me, every book opens new horizons, helping me discover the world and learn more about the heroic figures of the Vietnamese nation. Among the books I have read, Tranh truyen lich su Viet Nam – Dinh Bo Linh (The Illustrated History of Vietnam – Dinh Bo Linh) has left the deepest impression on me. It has helped me better understand courage, the determination to overcome difficulties, and the spirit of unity in nation-building. The book has awakened in me a sense of responsibility and motivated me to study and train diligently so that I can contribute to building a more prosperous and happier homeland in the future.

Nguyen Ngoc Thu An, a student in Class 8/9, Asia Bilingual College, Tran Bien Ward:

Reading nurtures the aspiration for a meaningful life

There are books that, once read, are simply placed back on the shelf. But there are also books that are like seeds, quietly planting thoughts, questions, and aspirations for a beautiful life in the reader's heart. For me, Mai mai tuoi hai muoi (Forever Twenty) by martyr Nguyen Van Thac is one such book. Through its honest and emotionally rich pages, the book has helped me gain a deeper understanding of the value of youth, patriotism, the spirit of dedication, and the responsibility of every individual toward the homeland and the country.

At the high school level, many entries demonstrated greater maturity in the selection of books. Nguyen Thi Lam Thai, a student in Class 10A5 at Tri An High School in Tri An Ward, introduced Lich su nuoc ta (History of Our Country) by President Ho Chi Minh. According to Lam Thai, the book helped her gain a deeper understanding of the nation's history while fostering pride in her roots, a love for the Vietnamese language, and a sense of responsibility among young people toward the country in the new era.

Promoting reading culture through diverse approaches

In addition to the increase in the number of submissions, this year’s contest also saw significant improvements in the overall quality of entries, according to the Organizing Committee and the Judging Panel. Having accompanied the contest for three consecutive editions, Dang Lan Anh, a literature teacher at Luong The Vinh High School for the Gifted in Tam Hiep Ward, said students demonstrated greater effort and seriousness throughout the process, from selecting books to presenting their works.

"Many entries this year made use of a wide range of images, reference materials, and creative presentation techniques while maintaining authenticity. They went beyond simply reviewing books by connecting them with real-life experiences and the cultural traditions of the Dong Nai region following the expansion of administrative boundaries. In particular, many students proposed meaningful solutions to promote reading culture within the community. This demonstrates that they read more carefully, think more deeply, and know how to apply the knowledge they have gained from books to everyday life," said Lan Anh.

Deputy Director of the Dong Nai Library Vo Xuan Le said, "In 2026, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism did not organize national-level judging for the Reading Culture Ambassador Contest but only held a recognition ceremony. Based on the results of the local contest, Dong Nai selected and submitted the three most outstanding students, representing the primary, secondary, and high school levels, to the ministry for recognition and commendation."

According to Deputy Director of the Dong Nai Library Vo Xuan Le, the 2026 Dong Nai City Reading Culture Ambassador Contest expanded in scale, with more schools participating. The entries reflected a genuine love of books through careful research and a respectful attitude toward knowledge, demonstrating an ability to explore the historical, cultural, and humanistic values of literary works rather than simply retelling their content. The introduction of diverse competition formats, including essays, video clips, and illustrative models, provided students with greater opportunities to express their love of reading in creative and accessible ways.

"In the coming period, the Dong Nai Library will continue to expand the contest's reach through digital platforms while coordinating with schools so that more students, especially those in remote, border, and ethnic minority areas, can learn about and participate in the contest. The awards ceremony is expected to be held in early August 2026, before students begin the new school year, allowing students to attend more conveniently," said Le.