Book Camp ties Vietnamese diaspora to heritage in Gifu Prefecture

Book Camp brings Vietnamese diaspora together in Gifu

“Maintaining a connection to Vietnamese culture remains a vital priority regardless of where children grow up.”

That conviction drew children across Gifu Prefecture to the third Book Camp, an initiative organized to tie the Vietnamese diaspora to its heritage while aiding local integration. Sponsored by the Vietnamese Association in Japan, the gathering blended quiet reading and storytelling with high-energy traditional games, including sack races and kite flying.

Combating digital distraction with literature

Behind the activities lies a deliberate pushback against modern screen culture.

To counter this, Khanh designed the camp to instill an early love for books as a way to broaden horizons and build concentration. Huong, a participating parent, echoed this sentiment regarding the importance of keeping roots intact abroad.

Organizing families and the road to Japan

The adults steering the event brought professional backgrounds to the grounds, counting IT professionals, PhD students, and University of Tokyo graduates among the committee members and parents.

One mother shared her experience watching her young son Rio enjoy the atmosphere, confirming her decision to attend. For Khanh—who arrived in Japan in 2014 on a Gifu University scholarship—the camp grew from his own questions about how his children could adapt to Japanese society while retaining their native language and community ties.

Scaling the summer reading model nationwide

Following successful events in Aichi and Gifu prefectures that connected with 20 families, organizers hope to extend the Book Camp model to Kyoto, Osaka, and Fukuoka.