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."
His collection includes the book "Old King Cole" (1985, Gleniffer Press, Scotland), acquired in Germany. The Gutenberg Museum in Mainz, Germany, currently displays this world's smallest book.Measuring 1mm x 1mm, the book is made from special paper and printed with precision, housed in a glass box that doubles as a magnifying glass for readers.Though tiny, the book contains the complete text of the famous English nursery rhyme.
The book is not only a marvel of printing technology but also symbolizes advancements in book-making and miniaturization.
Dr. Nguyen Manh Hung also possesses "The Timechart of Biblical History," nearly 3 meters long, offering a comprehensive view of Biblical history. He acquired it in England over 10 years ago and showcased it at the 2024 Buddhist Summer Camp.He stumbled upon a leather-bound 16th-century book in Florence, Italy, while exploring the city's many historical sites. Initially, he wanted a very old item as a souvenir, and when he found the book, it felt like a kindred spirit, so he bought it immediately. "The book's preservation over centuries motivates us to publish and create special, limited editions," he shared.Dr. Hung also collected two gold-leafed books in France. The books remain shiny even after centuries, thanks to the intricate gilding techniques of European publishers, especially in France. Despite researching to gold-leaf his own publications, he has yet to succeed but is determined to learn from Europe until he does.His collection includes a set of ancient books in Han Nom script, published in Vietnam, which he purchased in Tien Giang province. Photo credit: Nguyen Manh Hung's book collectionTinh Le