Digital transformation in the publishing sector

​(News Portal – Dong Nai) – The current trend of reading culture is not only on paper, as the industry 4.0 provides various tools that can meet this diverse need. The use of ebooks, audio books... has been increasingly popular, which leads to digital transformation becomes an inevitable trend in the publishing industry.

However, in Dong Nai province, the e-publishing scene is still quiet because there are still many barriers that need to be overcome in order to operate professionally and keep up with the trend.

Electronic publishing trend

Director of the Department of Publication, Printing and Distribution of Viet Nam Nguyen Nguyen said that in 2023, the entire publishing sector's revenue earned 99,700 billion VND (a 2% drop compared to 2022), the total amount paid to the state budget is estimated to reach 3,378 billion VND. (down 8% compared to 2022). The number of printed publications is 33 thousand publications with 450 million copies (down 11% in publications and 23% in copies compared to the same period in 2022). The audiobook market revenue scale in 2023 reached 80 billion VND; while the number of listening to audiobooks was 40 million (an increase of 25% compared to 2022).

The National Political Publishing House has made a strong move when investing in a technology platform to spearhead the development of e-books. The websites Stbook.vn, thuviencoso.vn, and the Stbook mobile application have become important channels providing hundreds of valuable electronic publications, with official information sources for readers. Kim Dong Publishing House has recently cooperated with audiobook units such as Voiz FM - Audiobooks and Podcasts and Fonos Joint Stock Company, releasing audiobooks on the Fonos application - with many outstanding features bringing new and interesting reading experiences to young readers. 

At Dong Nai Publishing House, the policy of digital transformation in publishing is currently being implemented. According to Mr. Truong Van Tuan - Deputy Director of Dong Nai Publishing House, digital transformation in publishing has been studied and planned, as well as practical solutions for digital transformation and the growth of reading culture. From concretizing digital transformation programs and projects of the Ministry of Information and Communications, Dong Nai Publishing House will prioritize digitalization of infrastructure and publications.

Ebooks listed on Dong Nai Publishing House's website 

“In order to serve digitalization activities, Dong Nai Publishing House focuses on improving the quality of books and cultural products in both content and form, meeting the increasing needs of readers. In the implementation of digital transformation on books, Dong Nai Publishing House will prioritize books ordered from the provincial budget. This is a book segment of great value, outstanding in all aspects..., serving well for research and learning activities about the culture and history of the province" - Mr. Tuan shared.

Opportunity for a breakthrough

Currently, in addition to the fanpage, Dong Nai Publishing House also builds a website to regularly update about events' information and newly published books. Dong Nai Publishing House coordinated with writers, poets, and Dong Nai Children's House to produce audiobooks posted on the Facebook page of the Provincial Youth Council and the Facebook pages of units and localities, attracting thousands of audiences and readers. Up to now, there are multiple audiobooks such as: the comic book series Famous People of Dong Nai; Forward Together; The everlasting student uniform... is still being widely introduced on social networks, serving the reading needs of children inside and outside the province.

Dong Nai Publishing House and Dong Nai Children's House coordinated with relevant units to produce audiobooks and release them on social networks. ​

Affirming that digital transformation is a trend not only of publishing but also of the current library system, Provincial Library Director Nguyen Ngoc Thanh said that, despite many difficulties and challenges, Dong Nai Library had been advising the Provincial People's Committee to implement the Digital Transformation Program of Dong Nai province's library sector to 2025, with a vision to 2030 with specific steps and solutions. The synchronous and enthusiastic participation is expected to create an important step in forming a modern library network, providing readers with an effective and convenient way to access reading materials on digital platforms.

Currently, on, Dong Nai Library has made hundred videos of reading and introducing good books posted on YouTube and Facebook. Dong Nai Library's YouTube channel includes 2 categories: reading books with friends and telling stories to children. Among them, the books produced are mainly children's books, books about the sea and islands, and Dong Nai culture and history books. Typical examples include: Nguyen Huu Canh – the general who found the Southern region; Emperor Le Thanh Tong, stories and anecdotes; Thu Huong built a raft house on the river; An overview of the Spratly Islands…

Along with efforts from industries, units and localities, raising people's awareness and responsibility in digitally transforming in the publishing sector and directing readers to electronic publishing needs to be promoted in order to bring about breakthroughs in this field. ​