A series of book events have been held recently in the capital city, namely book festivals, book days, spring book streets, and so on. Hanoi now even has a street for books: the Book Street.
Hanoi’s Book Street attracts crowds of all ages
The Book Street is the first street in Hanoi dedicated to books. It is a space to introduce old and new books of several types, a place where readers have the opportunity to access a wide variety of books and to participate in talking sessions about books with domestic and foreign authors. The modern and creative space of Hanoi’s Book Street covers a wide area of 3,000 m2 on the 19-12 street, as wide as the love for books. The space is indeed evidence of a loyal and deep love for books of readers. But the street is not only about reading. It is a place for showcase of a beautiful cultural trait not only of Hanoians, but also of the Vietnamese people in general.
A book cafe on the Book Street
The Book Street was designed and built in harmony with the landscape and architecture of the surrounding area and was aimed at creating a civilized and friendly space for the people, one that could ensure maximum exploitation of information and access to use for people with disabilities, children, and the elderly. On the two sides of the street are 16 bookstalls of prestigious publishers and book companies in the country. The space between every two book stalls has trees and rows of chairs for people to relax. A small square in the middle of the Book Street is dedicated for organizing exchange events, talking sessions, and book introduction events. At the two ends of the street are statues of the book street symbol and two public electronic information search stations to help readers and visitors learn about Hanoi’s history, culture, and tourism as well as to provide them with access to e-books. Two drinking water stations, two vending machines, book coffees, flower stalls, and souvenirs are also provided.
The entire Book Street is provided with free Wi-Fi (from 8 a.m. to 10 pm. daily) to help introduce and promote the activities held on the Book Street and facility the release of e-books. The city has planted 25 trees for shade and turned median strips into flower gardens in order to create a space close to nature and convenient to people. With an aim to spread the reading culture, Hanoi’s Book Street was officially open in May 1, 2017. Since its opening days, the site has become an attractive destination with a special appeal to the citizens of the capital city.
Outdoor reading area
A huge number of people, regardless of age, are eager to visit the Book Street, both to admire the new cultural space and to look for interesting and useful books from prestigious publishers, namely National Political – Truth Publishing House; Kim Dong Publishing House, Hanoi Publishing House, Women’s Publishing House, Publisher of Pedagogical University Publishing House, and others.
Along with purchasing books, readers also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of related events, such as exchange events, talking sessions, book introduction events, book signing events on weekends and holidays as well as specialized book exhibitions associated with major anniversaries and holidays (Vietnamese Book Day, World Book and Copyright Day, International Children’s Day, International Women’s Day, School Year Start Day, etc.). Public book exchange stations are also in plan to create opportunities for readers to exchange books among themselves;
We believe that Hanoi’s Book Street will become a familiar cultural destination for the citizens of the capital city.
Ha Thu