Nothing beats the ritual of opening a new book, holding the cover with your palms, and putting your nose in between the crisp pages (which gives off the scent of freshly baked bread). So, even with the convenience and accessibility of reading books on devices or gadgets, there are perks when reading a physical book — less distraction, a deeper experience with the printed word, and a more profound connection with the author and the characters. There’s also a feeling of contentment when turning each page to move the story forward, and a sense of accomplishment upon reaching the last page.
This blue arch serves as entrance to the Book Street. (All photos by the author)
Sad to say, books are not “popular” in our country — reading is also not a popular pastime. Through the years, bookstores have had dwindling spaces for books, and it’s seldom that a book becomes a cultural phenomenon. So, it was quite a pleasant surprise for me to see an entire street dedicated to books when I visited Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s largest city.
It was a weekend afternoon when I was there and was more surprised that it was filled with people from all walks of life — young and old, those in casual clothes and some in ao dai (Vietnam’s national costume), locals and foreigners like me. It was not hard to find this “Book Street” as it is really named as such when you refer to Google Maps. It is also just beside the Notre Dame Cathedral (currently undergoing renovation) and near the Ho Chi Minh Central Post Office, a beautiful landmark in this city full of French colonial architectural wonders.
Vietnamese women wear ao dai and pose for pictures in front of the bookstores.
This “Book Street” is actually Nguyen Van Binh Street, which stretches almost a hundred meters from Hai Ba Trung Street to Notre Dame Cathedral. This street is known as the place where book publishers in Vietnam have boutique stores, selling all types of printed products — from books, magazines, newspapers, stationeries, art stuff, etc. Although most titles are in Vietnamese, I was able to find some books in other languages as well.
During that visit, I also found out that there is a shop for book exchange and even an exhibition area for artists and photographers. Events related to books are also held regularly here.
If you are not into books, you will appreciate the unique designs of each bookstore.
If you are not into books, you could appreciate other attractions, such as the unique designs of each bookstore, or how a local artist paints a portrait. Be prepared to bump into some visitors who are taking selfies or photos for their IG stories. Every nook and cranny of this Book Street is a visual delight, elevated further by the colorful display of book covers, movie posters, photo prints, and all kinds of paper paraphernalia.
If you are a bonafide book lover, you will find a title or two to purchase and bring home back to the Philippines. But before that, you can open your newly purchased book inside one of the quaint sidewalk cafes of Ho Chi Minh City and savor the reading experience with your co-book lovers.
Books, old and new, are sold in the shops, including stationeries, cards, and art prints.
Enjoy the scenery as the city embraces the night, eavesdrop to the chitchat of locals (which you can’t understand) while enjoying bánh mì and Vietnamese coconut coffee, and hope that someday soon, our own cities and citizens here in the Philippines will turn a new page and welcome the reality of having a street filled with books.