Expectations for a book and reading culture space in Dong Nai

With the aim of bringing books closer to the community, Dong Nai Library is developing a Project on Book and Reading Culture Space for the province. The initiative is designed in an open and vibrant setting, linked to a variety of experiential and creative activities.

Students of Tan Xuan Secondary School (Binh Phuoc ward, Dong Nai province) read books at their school library. Photo: Collaborator

The Book and Reading Culture Space of Dong Nai is expected to offer a distinctive option: transforming residents’ reading, traditionally seen as dry, into their journey of cultural experience, particularly children and young people across the province.

A rendezvous for book lovers

Deputy Director of Dong Nai Library Vo Xuan Le said the library has essentially completed the development of the project. The space is planned for an outdoor area within the library grounds in Tan Trieu ward. This is an open space, offering readers a unique “destination” where they can explore and enjoy architecture and the surrounding ambience, engage in leisure activities, read, purchase books, and take photos to share their visit online.

Rather than merely displaying and introducing the library's book collections, the book space aims to create a setting that feels close to community life. It will include reading zones and communal areas for author–reader interactions, thematic talks, and community reading sessions. This is intended to serve as a meeting point for readers who value reading culture, providing opportunities to connect and exchange ideas about their favourite works.

The project also sets aside an area for publishers and bookshops to exhibit themed publications. This approach enables readers to access new titles more quickly while giving publishers opportunities to promote their products and interact directly with readers. In addition, the old book area and additional entertainment items are well arranged, enhancing the space's overall appeal.

Vo Xuan Le emphasised: “The Book and Reading Culture Space is not only a place to display knowledge, but also an interactive environment that nurtures reading habits, especially among young people. This is an important step for Dong Nai as it continues building a book-loving community, spreading reading culture, and enriching residents’ spiritual life.”

Expanding the beauty of knowledge culture

As a long-time reader of Dong Nai Library and an author dedicated to researching and compiling works on President Ho Chi Minh, Ha Lam Danh (Van Hai hamlet, Long Thanh commune) expressed hope that the province would soon establish a permanent reading space with its own local identity. He noted that such a space does not need to be as large as a book street; just a well-planned area with modest booths for publishers to introduce new titles, a separate corner for second-hand books, and a space for young people to gather and exchange ideas would already be enough to draw readers.

According to Ha Lam Danh, Dong Nai has organised several book fairs and book exhibitions in parks and public cultural spaces in recent years. These events have attracted considerable participation, but they are short-lived, usually lasting only one to two weeks. For this reason, he hopes to see a permanent, regularly operating book space where residents can visit daily, and one that could also serve as a cultural stop for tourists visiting Dong Nai.

Sharing the expectation that an open cultural reading space will become a familiar destination, encouraging residents to engage with books, Vo Xuan Le noted that the library will continue cooperating with the Department of Education and Training and local schools to bring students to the library for extracurricular sessions. Such activities will allow children to approach books through hands-on, interactive experiences. If progress stays on schedule, Dong Nai’s Book and Reading Culture Space is expected to be completed and operational by April 2026, becoming a new highlight in the province's cultural landscape.

The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has issued a document assigning the Dong Nai Library to advise on the province's Project on Book and Reading Culture Space. The department requested the library to continue working with relevant agencies to develop the proposal within the library campus and submit it for evaluation before it is presented to the Provincial People’s Committee for approval.

Vu Xuan Truong Deputy Director, Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism

Currently, Dong Nai Library operates at two locations to serve readers (Tan Trieu ward and Binh Phuoc ward). In addition to circulating books, the library actively collaborates with local schools such as Tan Xuan Secondary School (Binh Phuoc ward) and Xuan Thanh Primary School (Dau Giay commune) to run mobile library activities. These initiatives bring books to students, helping them strengthen their reading skills and fostering a love of reading in schools.

By My Ny – Translated by My Le, Thu Ha