As a book enthusiast and a fervent admirer of the culture of the Doai region, Mr. Nguyen Manh Hung has devoted his passion to establishing “Doai Region Books” in Phung Town, Dan Phuong district, Hanoi. This place houses thousands of books about the distinguished figures of the Doai region, crafted by local authors, serving readers for free. Many liken it to a “Cultural Museum” of the Doai Region. Going beyond this, he has designed bookshelves for easy transportation, forming “mobile reading stations.”
Despite the arrival of Tet (Lunar New Year), Mr. Nguyen Manh Hung remains occupied with books. He personally designs these “new-style” bookshelves. Typically, they are book display shelves measuring 80cm x 120cm, but they can be transported in their entirety for exhibitions and introductions when needed. Mr. Hung organizes books by theme, making it easy to arrange them without much hassle. He refers to these as “mobile reading stations,” enabling him to showcase and introduce books at festivals, conferences, and seminars, or share them with university students and high school students.
Known affectionately by friends as “Old Book Hung” or “Doai Region Book Hung,” Mr. Hung’s life has been intertwined with books for many years, especially old books. His connection with books is not coincidental. Born in the land of Doai region, a region that has produced numerous notable figures throughout the ages, the Doai region is also a land of poetry. In modern times, Doai region has been the home to many prominent literary figures such as Tan Da, Quang Dung, Ho Phuong, and more. Growing up in such a poetic environment, since he was in the first grade, Nguyen Manh Hung fell in love with reading. Living near a bookstore at the Tram Troi intersection, he often spent his lunch breaks gazing at books through the window and occasionally skipped breakfast to save money to buy novels. As he grew older, he realized that the villages and rural areas in his homeland were where these notable figures emerged and became part of history. When he came to Hanoi for university, he immersed himself in the world of books. Hanoi not only boasts numerous libraries and bookstores but is also home to many book collectors with precious collections. At that time, without the means to collect valuable books, he still explored renowned second-hand bookstores such as Phan Trac Canh’s bookstore on Bat Dan street, Luong Ngoc Du’s bookstore on Ba Trieu street, and Vu Kim Dien’s bookstore on Thuy Khue street.
Students flock to the “Doai region Cultural Hub” for a cultural learning experience.
The life of Mr. Nguyen Manh Hung is deeply intertwined with the military industry. While serving at the Weapons Institute (Ministry of National Defencee), his passion for books has never waned over the decades. Whether spending personal funds or mobilizing support, his book collection has grown substantially. To him, each book is like a person, with a name, an age, and memories embedded through the hands of readers, leaving imprints as they jot down their thoughts. Naturally, older books are more precious, carrying the marks of time. Mr. Hung dedicates much time to collecting old books, sometimes accumulating them through persistent efforts. Notably, his collection includes the pre-1954 edition of “Tan Da’s Literary Works.”
Proud of his homeland, Doai region, Mr. Hung passionately collects books and stories from Doai region’s authors. When “Doai Region Books” commenced operations in 2015, Mr. Hung conceived the idea of spreading the specialized values of books regarding Doai region’s authors and works to the community. “Doai Region Books” was established at his residence in Phung town, where anyone could come to read, study, and share knowledge with the owner, who possesses a collection of over 2000 books, with a focus on works by Doai region’s authors. “Doai Region Books” swiftly attracted a diverse readership, from research professionals to students. Many affectionately refer to “Doai Region Books” as the “Doai Region Cultural Hub.” While not an official name, it has gained popularity among many.
“I understand the value of books and the culture of the Doai region, so I always want to spread those values. Therefore, in addition to people coming to the ‘Doai region Cultural Hub,’ I want to bring books to everyone. That’s why I designed these mobile reading stations,” explained Mr. Nguyen Manh Hung. He asserted that with just a few motorcycle trips, he could set up a “mobile library” for readers, and he is ready to do so. At the “Doai Region Cultural Hub,” to allow people to enjoy the Doai region’s culture in different ways, he has designed an antique sound system connected to a computer system, enabling viewers to find and enjoy the poetic and musical works of the Doai region’s literary figures.
Despite attracting a considerable number of literature and art enthusiasts, Mr. Hung still dreams of establishing the Doai Region Cultural Museum to preserve and better serve the increasing demands of the public. He has prepared the groundwork for constructing two areas, namely the “Doai Region Poetry Hub” and the “Doai Region Literary Hub.” He is in the process of obtaining the necessary approvals to establish the “Doai Region Cultural Museum.”