During summertime, the children’s reading space at the Provincial Library comes alive. Daily, dozens of students arrive to read books, join intellectual games, participate in experiential activities, and interact with friends. Scientifically arranged bookshelves, a friendly reading environment, and numerous creative experiential corners have generated a special attraction for young visitors.

Each summer break, Lê Hoàng Bách, a 6th-grade student at Thịnh Quang Primary School in Hanoi, travels to Điện Biên with his family to visit his grandparents. Instead of spending extended hours on smartphones or electronic devices, Bách chooses the provincial Library as his familiar daily destination. Here, he reads captivating book titles and explores new facets of the world, gaining deeper insights into cultures and customs across various nations while expanding his knowledge base and igniting a passion for reading.

Lê Hoàng Bách shared: “Visiting Điện Biên with my grandparents, I often come here to read books and play recreational games. I spend time reading, accumulating knowledge about cultures and customs of many countries around the world, while staying away from and minimizing the use of electronic devices, TVs, and phones.”

During summer days, Hoàng Đức Gia Bình, a student at Bế Văn Đàn Primary School in Điện Biên Phủ ward, has also become a familiar “child reader” at the Điện Biên Provincial Library. While his parents are at work, the library provides a safe venue for Bình to read books and play with friends.

Hoàng Đức Gia Bình happily expressed: “There are many comic books, good books, and fun games here. I like coming to the library because I get to read books and meet friends.”

The quiet, cool environment alongside thousands of age-appropriate book titles offers students a meaningful activity spot throughout their summer vacation. Through seemingly simple activities like reading stories, participating in intellectual games, or discussing favorite books together, children gradually develop communication skills, teamwork, and a spirit of sharing.

For many students, the provincial Library has turned into an effective space for reading and learning. Lê Hà Anh, a student at Tân Bình Junior High School in Điện Biên Phủ ward, regularly visits the library to complete homework, search for reference materials, and join experiential activities.

Lê Hà Anh expressed: “It is very quiet at the library, so I often come here to read books, do homework, and search for extra study materials. I also get to participate in many interesting activities, making my summer vacation much more meaningful.”

The Điện Biên provincial Library currently houses nearly 200,000 book titles, with children’s literature alone accounting for approximately 50,000 titles. The book stock is regularly replenished across rich genres - including study reference materials, children’s stories, life skills, general science, history, culture, nature exploration, and various educational books tailored to different age groups. This rich repository and friendly reading space allow students easy access to knowledge, contributing to building a reading habit within the community.

To enhance appeal during summer, the provincial Library has innovated its organizational methods by blending reading with practical experiences. Rather than sitting and reading in the traditional manner, children directly participate in interactive, creative, and knowledge-discovery activities through vivid formats.

Lê Thị Hồng Ngọc, Deputy Director of the Điện Biên provincial Library, stated: “Our unit proactively built a series of three specialized thematic activities specifically for children, including ‘Children and the Environment,’ ‘Vibrant Summer Through Book Pages,’ and ‘Children and the Điện Biên Homeland.’ All programs are designed with an innovative approach, helping children read, experience, and develop skills simultaneously.”

Beside vivid book display areas and interactive reading sessions, children directly participate in drawing, origami art, and knowledge quizzes linked to the works they have read. The products made by the children themselves serve as vivid tangible realizations of book contents.

Through this series of summer activities, the provincial Library aims to bring children a healthy, rewarding cultural playground that nurtures creative thinking, teamwork skills, and environmental protection awareness, while spreading reading culture across families, schools, and society.

Integrating experiential activities with book contents has driven a distinct shift in how children approach knowledge. Through each book, children absorb knowledge while promoting creative capability, logical thinking, and practical skills. Thematic sessions help students become bolder in communication, confident in presenting ideas, and cooperative with peers to complete shared projects. Thematics covering the environment, history, and local culture also educate on nature preservation, preserving ethnic cultural identity, and nurturing love for the Điện Biên homeland among the younger generation.

Establishing a reading space combined with experiential learning at the Điện Biên provincial Library has provided children with an additional safe play destination during the summer. More importantly, the library acts as a bridge bringing knowledge closer to students, inspiring a love for reading, creativity, and a spirit of lifelong learning.