On 3 March 2026, Thai Ha Books officially launched its Human Library, an innovative initiative that places people, rather than printed or digital texts, at the heart of the reading experience. The concept for this distinctive library was first conceived several years ago by Dr Nguyen Manh Hung, founder and chairman of Thai Ha Books, who had long intended to establish such a project when inaugurating the Book and Reading Culture Museum in Hà Nội five years ago.

The first two “human books” available for readers were Dr Nguyen Manh Hung himself and Donald Stark, Director of DEE Publishing from New Zealand, who flew directly to Việt Nam on the morning of 3 March 2026. Both are also authors: Dr Hùng has written 16 books, while Mr Stark has authored around 60 titles.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dr Hung explained that the Human Library is a unique model in which the “books” are not printed works, e-books, or audiobooks, but real people with real-life stories. Visitors may “borrow” a person and spend a set period of time in conversation, listening to that individual’s experiences. Dr Hung noted that he personally prefers to call it a “Living Books Library.”

According to the founder, the Human Library is fundamentally a community project designed to foster direct dialogue between people, helping individuals better understand and empathise with one another. It also has the potential to reduce prejudice and social stigma. Within this library, the “books” are volunteers who share their life stories and respond to readers’ questions. The readers, in turn, are those who come to listen and engage. A typical “reading session” lasts between 20 and 30 minutes and takes the form of an open conversation.

Initially, Dr Hung said, the “books” will be respected public figures who hold influence and credibility within society. In the longer term, however, the library hopes to feature “living books” in the truest sense: former drug addicts who have turned their lives around, transgender individuals, people with disabilities, migrants moving from rural areas to cities or between regions, and individuals who have overcome major life challenges. Dr Hung believes that hearing such stories directly can help listeners see life from different perspectives and perhaps even transform their own lives.

He emphasised that the idea itself is not entirely new. The Human Library concept first emerged in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2000, initiated by social activists including Ronni Abergel, Danni Abergel, Asma Mouna, and Christoffer Erichsen. It initially appeared at the Roskilde Music Festival with the aim of combating violence and prejudice in society. Today, the initiative has spread to more than 70–80 countries worldwide.

During its first week, from 3 to 9 March 2026, the two human books, Nguyen Manh Hung and Donald Stark, were borrowed continuously, generating encouraging results. The first readers were staff members of Thai Ha Books and participants from the Thai Ha Book Lovers Club. Dr Hung explained that he wished to pilot the programme within the company, allowing employees and students to experience it first. Once the model runs smoothly, the library will be opened to readers more widely and expanded with many more human books.

On the morning of 9 March 2026, in a presentation delivered at the Conference on Key Tasks for Publishing, Printing, and Distribution in 2026, organised by the Central Commission for Propaganda and Mass Mobilisation and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism at the Kim Liên Hotel in Hanoi, Dr Hung formally introduced the Human Library. He also invited Phan Tam, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Nguyen Nguyen, Director of the Department of Publishing, Printing and Distribution, as well as other conference leaders and delegates, to support and participate in the initiative as future “human books.”

Later that evening, the third human book – Vo Thi Xuan Trang, founder and principal of the John Robert Powers training institution was “borrowed” by members of the Thai Ha Book Lovers Club from 8:00 pm to 9:40 pm. Participants responded enthusiastically, engaging deeply with the theme “All You Need Is Faith.”

In various sessions with readers, Dr Hung has provided detailed explanations of how the Human Library operates. A typical event includes a catalogue listing available living books, with titles such as entrepreneur, nutrition expert, macrobiotic specialist, content creator, author, “doctor of the soul,” meditation teacher, and others. In the future, the list may also include people who have experienced bullying, individuals who have overcome depression, former addicts, or former prisoners.

Readers can register to borrow a book by selecting the person they wish to meet. During the session, they engage in a direct conversation lasting around 20–30 minutes, with genuine two-way dialogue in which readers may ask any question and provided it is done respectfully and with civility.

Dr Hung also revealed that on the morning of 10 March 2026, at the annual meeting of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Publishing Association, he would present the project and call upon committee members to support the initiative and participate as living books.

According to the first participants, the Human Library carries profound humanistic value. It expands readers’ knowledge and understanding, bridges social divides, encourages confidence, promotes empathy, fosters open dialogue, and nurtures the skills of listening and compassion. As Donald Stark observed, reading a book may help one understand knowledge, but “reading a human being helps us understand life itself.”

By Minh Anh
Tuesday, 10 March 2026