Organised by the Hanoi Youth Union at Hanoi Book Street in Cua Nam Ward, the 2026 festival brought together youth union members, students, children and local residents.
A highlight was the launch of a youth reading campaign and the 2026 Young Reading Culture Ambassador badge, recognising outstanding efforts to promote reading in the community.
The campaign is expected to conclude with an awards ceremony in December.
Speaking at the event, Dao Duc Viet, deputy secretary of the Hanoi Youth Union, said reading remained essential as digital technology, social media and artificial intelligence transformed the way people access information.
While technology enables faster access to information, reading habits and critical reflection help young people evaluate and understand knowledge, he said.
Viet called on youth organisations to make reading a regular activity, establish suitable reading spaces in schools and communities, and combine books with practical experiences, cultural education and digital technology.
The festival featured a discussion on Hanoi's history and heritage with journalist Phung Huy Thinh, a veteran of the fighting at Quang Tri Citadel, who shared wartime stories with young participants.
A separate discussion on reading culture brought together children's author Le Phuong Lien, military writer Nguyen Xuan Thuy and representatives of Kim Dong Publishing House.
Lien, who has worked in children's literature for more than 50 years, recalled how a library card had been one of her most treasured possessions during childhood, when books were scarce.
She said a love of reading was essential for developing creativity, enriching personal experiences and nurturing young minds.
Thuy said young people today faced a different challenge from previous generations: an abundance of information but difficulty finding worthwhile content.
He warned that social media and smartphones could undermine concentration and reduce time spent reading.
Books, he said, encourage deeper thinking, imagination and empathy by requiring readers to create their own mental images rather than relying on ready-made visuals.
The festival also offered interactive activities at four themed book stations.
Nine publishers and bookshops along Hanoi Book Street provided special offers on 132 book titles covering literature, history, life skills, digital transformation and technology.
Organisers said the event aimed to encourage independent learning and make reading a regular habit among young people in the digital age.