The HCM City Department of Information and Communication plans to open more “book streets” to meet local residents’ reading and entertainment demand.

HCM City plans to launch more “book streets” after the success of Nguyen Van Binh Book Street in District 1. 

Vu Van Long, deputy head of the department, said the city’s People’s Committee had originally wanted to open one book street in each district, but due to limited time and budget, the book streets will serve two to three districts each.

Eventually, each of the city’s 24 districts will have a book street, but opening dates have yet to be set.

Trinh Huu Anh, an official from the department, said depending on the demographics of each district, each book street will have distinctive designs and book titles.

For instance, while Thu Duc District will feature more books suited to teenagers and university students, Tan Phu District will display more books for factory workers in the area.

The department is still looking for appropriate locations before submitting its plan to the city’s People’s Committee for approval.

The Nguyen Van Binh Book Street in District 1 has become a popular destination among locals and tourists, attracting 4,000 – 5,000 visitors daily.

Since opening about a year ago, 500,000 books have been sold, with a total revenue of VNĐ27 billion (US$1.19 million). 

VNS