The biennial festival has become an iconic cultural event. Many publishers see it as an opportunity to learn more about readers’ interests. This year it will feature more than 500 book booths alongside zones for exhibitions, seminars and talks, book launches and entertainment. 
The event was organised by the city’s Department of Information and Communications; Saigon Cultural Products Corporation; the book store chain Fasaha; and Tre, Tong Hop and Van Hoa Van Nghe publishing houses. The city’s eighth Book Festival was held between March 24 and 30 in 2014, displaying more than 200,000 books. Ho Chi Minh opened its Book Street on Nguyen Van Binh Street, District 1 in January to promote reading.