Nam Thanh | 21 October 2026 – 11:48

On the morning of 21 October, Cua Nam Ward officially launched the Hanoi Book Collection – Community Reading Room and hosted a discussion on notable books about Hanoi, ahead of Vietnamese Culture Day (24 November).

Nguyen Thi Mai Huong, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Nguyen Quoc Hoan, Chairman of the Cua Nam Ward People’s Committee; and Dr Nguyen Manh Hung, Chairman of Thai Ha Books, perform the ribbon-cutting ceremony to inaugurate the Hanoi Book Collection. Photo: Reporter

Trinh Ngoc Tram, Vice Chairwoman of the Cua Nam Ward People’s Committee, explained that the Hanoi Book Collection – Community Reading Room was established at Hanoi Book Street with the aim of creating an open, welcoming and accessible reading space where residents can discover and exchange outstanding books about Hanoi’s history, culture, people and development.

The collection seeks to preserve valuable publications while bringing books closer to the community, particularly younger generations.

Ms Tram expressed her hope that everyone visiting the collection would find a book that resonates with them, a memorable story or a fresh perspective on Hanoi.

To achieve this vision, establishing and sustaining a community reading space requires collective efforts from local authorities, publishers, booksellers, authors, researchers, schools, families and readers.

Bookshops and publishers operating on Hanoi Book Street contributed approximately 250 notable books to the Hanoi Book Collection during its initial phase. Photo: Reporter

The Vice Chairwoman emphasised that the launch of the collection was not only a practical initiative in Cua Nam Ward’s efforts to develop a reading culture but also a meaningful contribution to fostering a love of books, enriching the community’s cultural and spiritual life, and cultivating the elegance and civility traditionally associated with the people of Hanoi.

As part of the event, a book discussion entitled “Hanoi Through the Pages of Books – One City, Many Ways to Love It” offered fascinating stories and perspectives on the capital through several publications, including Dau Van Tay Cua Pho (Fingerprints of the Streets) and Trieu Dau Chan Qua Nhung Cua O (A Million Footsteps Through the Old City Gates) by writer and artist Nguyen Truong Quy, as well as Chu Du Ha Noi (Exploring Hanoi) by author Le Rin, published by Thai Ha Books.

Delegates take part in the discussion on notable books about Hanoi. Photo: Reporter

The discussions helped readers gain a deeper appreciation of the appeal of books, discover Hanoi from different perspectives and find inspiration to maintain a regular reading habit in their everyday lives.

Ha Noi Moi Magazine