On the morning of April 4, at Ho Chi Minh City Book Street, Phanbook hosted the official launch of the publication alongside an exhibition of sketches bearing the same title. Lam Yen is the pen name of journalist and architect Nguyen Tap.

The book was translated into English by Dinh Quoc Anh Thu and marks the first English-language title in a series introducing Vietnamese culture by the publisher.

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Authors whose artworks are featured were present at the book launch.

Unlike conventional travel publications, “50 Spaces: Hanoi - Hue - Saigon” grew out of a habit of “documenting through drawing” in the sketchbooks of 52 artists, most of whom are architects. Their works capture personal impressions of architectural spaces, as well as cultural and historical symbols across the three cities.

Published by The Gioi Publishing House, the book brings together color sketches accompanied by concise texts on 50 representative sites. These range from Long Bien Bridge, Dong Xuan Market, One Pillar Pagoda, Hoan Kiem Lake, and the Temple of Literature in Hanoi; to Dong Ba Market, Truong Tien Bridge, and Kien Trung Palace in Hue; and Notre-Dame Cathedral, Ben Thanh Market, the Central Post Office, and Ba Thien Hau Pagoda in Saigon.

In addition to Lam Yen, more than 15 artists from Vietnam and abroad contributed to the book, including Tran Xuan Hong, Hoang Dung, Phan Dinh Trung, Pham Minh Duc, Vincent Monluc, and Sutien Lokulprakit.

Lam Yen is also known to readers through two travel memoirs, “Dam duong lang thang” (2006) and “Tu rung tham Amazon den que huong bolero” (2017).

Alongside the book launch, an exhibition featuring 32 sketches and watercolor paintings by 16 artists is taking place from April 4 to April 9, 2026, at Ho Chi Minh City Book Street.

All proceeds from the sale of artworks during the exhibition, along with 35 percent of book sales on the launch day, will be donated to support the visually impaired.

Explaining this decision, Lam Yen shared: “After several efforts to support the visually impaired during and after the Covid-19 pandemic, the Nu Cuoi 2,000 VND meal shop continues to receive messages and calls from associations for the blind in Ho Chi Minh City. The need remains significant, while financial resources are limited. There have been times when we could only offer words of comfort - or simply feel helpless.”

Huy Minh