The 2016 Ho Chi Minh City Book Fair will kick off its ninth edition on Monday, with organizers claiming they are preparing for the biggest-ever launch of the biennial event.

More than 30,000 books titles, equivalent to 30 million copies, will be sold at the fair running for the whole week at Le Van Tam Park in District 1, according to organizers.

Nearly 200 book publishers, including 36 foreign houses, are expected to run more than 700 booths at the event.

The ninth edition of the book fair is therefore considered the largest-ever in all terms, Le Thai Hy, director of the municipal Department of Information and Communications, told reporters on Tuesday.

It will lay the ground for the tenth edition to be elevated into a national-level book event, Hy, who is also deputy head of the organizing board, added.

The organizers this year have also eased its regulation on discount for the first time, allowing participating booths to offer discount up to 20 percent during the first four days.

In the last three days, participating publishers can freely slash prices, so long as the discounts are in accordance with current laws.

The event will open from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm every day.

The American Center of the U.S. Consulate General will also participate in this year’s book fair, it said in a press release on Thursday.

U.S. Consul General Rena Bitter will also attend the fair.

Themed “The New Journey – Innovation and Education,” the American Center’s Booth (B107-B112) will feature daylong, diverse activities about America, its culture and its people.

Activities will include film screenings, book clubs, speaker programs, cultural programs, mini innovation fairs, maker events, alumni talks, quizzes, games, and much more.

At the fair, Consular Officers and Education USA advisors will talk about how to apply for a U.S. student visa and highlight the diverse range of education options available in the United States, as well as financial aid and scholarship opportunities for international students.

This is the second straight time the American Center has participated in the Ho Chi Minh City Book Fair.

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