Dr. Nguyen Manh Hung, CEO of Thai Ha Books, has built a remarkable collection of rare and unique books that reflect his belief in the power of knowledge over material wealth.
Dr. Nguyen Manh Hung, CEO of Thai Ha Books, has curated a special collection of books, ranging from one smaller than a pea to another over a meter long, reflecting his life philosophy: "Enlightenment brings more happiness than a million-dollar fortune."
Dr. Nguyen Manh Hung grew up in poverty with a passion for books. He once set his house on fire twice because he was too engrossed in reading while cooking. He read everything with words, even old newspaper scraps, memorizing them after reading repeatedly.
In 1989, Dr. Hung returned from Russia with hundreds of books and vinyl records. He continues to collect books during his business trips, building a collection that includes many rare and hard-to-find books in Vietnam.
While he cannot explain his passion for books, he insists that book collecting is not as costly as hobbies like cars, watches, or luxury brands. Every October, he explores rare and unique books at the world's largest book fair in Frankfurt, Germany, and other countries.
Dr. Hung hopes to collaborate soon with the National Library of Vietnam and other organizations to exhibit these valuable books, as "it would be too wasteful for only myself and colleagues and friends to enjoy them! Books are a shared asset of humanity."