Many bookstores in HCM City have become ideal places for students to read books without pay.
Journalism essential to enterprises Festival highlights books and reading culture At noon Nhan Van Bookshop in Go Vap District appears to be deserted, but, once inside, one can see a surprising amount of young people perusing the isles and flipping through pages.
Most are students, moving quietly around the bookcases, looking for their favourite titles.
Nguyen Thi Huong, a student from HCM City Industrial University, says that she often comes to the bookstore to read after class. She arrives when the store opens and does not leave until it is closed.
Huong says the bookstore is only busy after 5pm, when many people come to shop. The rest of the day is quiet, making it ideal for reading. Unlike libraries, bookstores do not require any paperwork or fees, she adds.
“For students, paying hundreds of thousands of VND for books can really add up, and we can't afford to buy them all the time. It's great to be able to read the latest books without having to spend a lot of money. It is very good to read the latest books without having to pay any fees,” Huong shares.
 |
| Nhan Van bookstore looks like a library |
Tran Dang Khoi, a student from Hermann Gmeiner Primary School in Go Vap District says, during vacation, he not only helps his parents with the housework, but also spends around two hours a day reading at the bookstore.
Nguyen Ngoc Thao, from District 5, says she usually takes her children to Phuong Nam Bookstore to encourage them to read. Initially, they were not interested, but now it has become their hobby and they often ask her to bring them to the store.
“I could not afford to buy as many books for the children as I like, so a great solution is letting them read at the bookstore,” Thao says, adding that it is a great parenting tool as she can choose the books for her children, keep them interested in educational subjects, and distract them from computer games.
Tran Van Tho, manager of Nhan Van Bookstore, says people are welcome to read in the comfortable environment of the store. The staff have been instructed to be friendly with these visitors.
“The only caveat we have is that they remain silent and take good care of the books. Any damage must be compensated for," he says.