Forum "Hanoi Students and Reading Culture"

On October 8, 2008, the forum "Hanoi Students and Reading Culture," organized by the Hanoi City Student Association, took place at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

The forum's purpose was to provide an opportunity for young people and students to share their needs and experiences, and exchange views on reading, thereby helping to improve the quality of reading, enrich knowledge in many fields, and contribute to improving the quality of students' learning. A large number of students from Vietnam National University, Hanoi and several other universities in Hanoi participated in the forum.

The main topics discussed at the forum related to reading culture included: the role of reading in enhancing individual knowledge; the current state of reading among students and young people; reading as a cultural aspect of Hanoi residents; choosing good books for effective reading; and effective reading methods and skills.

Many opinions expressed at the discussion strongly opposed the current misconception of overemphasizing visual and auditory culture while neglecting reading. This is becoming increasingly common among young people, leading to a knowledge gap among students and negatively impacting the entire education system. Delegates cited several reasons, including the inherent passivity and laziness of some young people, and more importantly, shortcomings in education, such as the continued use of uncreative and rigid learning methods for students from their primary and secondary school years.

Furthermore, young people often make a very basic mistake: they read books but lack the right attitude and method, making reading ineffective. Commonly, they skim, read quickly, or read for entertainment without reflection, leading to a failure to fully grasp the knowledge in the book. According to Dr. Le Van Cau – a guest speaker at the forum – when reading, one should think, experience, and apply what they understand to their daily lives, behavior, and thinking, thereby making their lives more beautiful and fulfilling. That is the true meaning of reading.

At the forum, many effective reading skills were introduced to help young people explore and master different reading levels, from elementary reading and systematic skimming to controlled reading and speed reading. These reading levels are applied to different reading purposes, helping readers learn how to approach and grasp all types of texts, whether literary works, scientific books, mathematics, philosophy, or history. More importantly, knowing how to read effectively will foster a passion for exploring books in the reader.