Manager wants HCMC book street more attractive to foreigners as earnings rise
Publishers on Nguyen Van Binh Book Street sold 760,000 books last year at VND60 billion (US$2,400), up 15% in revenue against 2022, but its manager said more activities were needed to lure foreign visitors.
Le Hoang, director of Ho Chi Minh City Book Street Co. Ltd., said last year, 275 events were held at the book street, which is situated in the city’s heart, adjacent to the historic Notre-Dame Cathedral and the iconic Central Post Office, up from 225 the year before.
The number of visitors to the pedestrian-only street is estimated to haven risen 10% from around three million visitors in 2022, he said, highlighting that there was an increase of foreign visitors in the second half of the year.
After eight years of opening, revenue raised from the book street rose 2.3-fold and growth has stayed through each year, except for the pandemic year of 2021.
The street is home to various bookstores and publishing houses, offering a vast array of books ranging from contemporary literature, educational materials, and children’s books to rare and specialized genres. Both Vietnamese and foreign language books are available.
It is often chosen as the venue to host cultural events such as book signings, readings, workshops, and exhibitions, attracting authors, scholars, and book enthusiasts.
The street also features several cafes and eateries, and there are shops selling art, crafts, and souvenirs as well.
However, Hoang noted that the book street still faces several limitations.
He said that many events were simple and lacked creativity, and there were currently no night activities.
The street has yet to offer a wide range of products, cultural and artistic playgrounds, or experiential activities for foreign visitors.
« International visitors come to the book street because it is recommended as tourism product, but in reality, the products and services here do not actually meet their needs, » Hoang said.
He said that the company would establish more stalls to add more diverse products to provide deeper experiences for visitors.
By Mai Nhat & Minh Nga – VnExpress.net – January 25, 2024