VOL.75/2024.10

2017 Korea Book Fair in Vietnam

K-Books Secure $6.5 Million in Prospective Contracts in Vietnam

2017.8.18

South Korea's traveling book fair recently landed in Vietnam, where hallyu has been booming. The traveling book fair aims to support Korean books' exports overseas, boost copyright sales abroad and bolster the international competitiveness of Korean publishers. The following provides a look into the publishing exchanges between the two countries which marked 25 years of diplomatic ties this year.
From July 26 to 27, the Korea Book Fair washeld at the Lotte Hotel in Hanoi. This book fair, which was held in part by the cooperation of the Korea cultural center in Vietnam, achieved great success through seminars held for Korean and Vietnamese participants alike, addressing the publishing market in Vietnam and the publishing industry in South Korea.

Theopening ceremony for the 2017 Korea Book Fair in Vietnam

Publishing officials and executives from both South Korea and Vietnam were present at the book fair's opening ceremony. "The potential in the exchanges between South Korea and Vietnam for the publishing industry are endless," the standing deputy chairman of Vietnam's publishing association, Hoàng Phong Hà, said. "This book fair has great meaning, being held on the 25th anniversary of diplomatic ties between South Koerea and Vietnam. Let's strengthen publishing exchanges and work towards growing workers by sharing publishing experiences," he went on to say.

A view of the fair

An ongoing seminar

It was the first Korean book fair to be heldin Vietnam. From South Korea, 21 companies that publish physical books as well as e-books participated at the fair while 86 books were on display from 25 publishers that were not there in person. Also at the request of some Vietnamese businesses, South Korea's magazine association and Scoop were also at the fair with special booths. There was also a separate location where Vietnamese books were introduced to South Korean publishers, making cultural exchanges possible between the two countries.

A photograph commemorating a book donation event

This book fair also achieved $6.5 million worth in possible future contracts through a business matching service provided there, all thanks to the interest from Vietnamese publishers who were at the fair venue from early morning, even before opening time. KL Management's CEOJoseph Lee said advance fees are yet low in Vietnam but long-term, it is a country worth investing in. "In Vietnam, they want a large variety ofKorean books. With this book fair as a foothold, I hope publishing exchanges between the two countries become more active," he said. After the business matching services were complete, the books and magazines at the fair were donated to the cultural center.