Preserving the Love for Printed Books: A 75-year-old Bookshop Owner’s Story in HCM City

Located in Binh Thanh District, this modest 25-square-meter bookshop boasts a collection of over 1,000 titles sourced from various places.

Offering a diverse selection of genres like magazines, literature, language books, and comics, prices at this shop range from VND 10,000 to 200,000 depending on quality and rarity.

Before establishing his shop, Mr. Sang used to sell books in District 1. He has had a lifelong passion for books and newspapers, emphasizing the importance of knowledge in shaping people’s perspectives and enriching their lives.

In his spare time, Mr. Sang hunts for new additions by scouring online groups specializing in selling old books. His approach is simple: post what you seek, and fellow enthusiasts will offer their assistance promptly.

The shop exudes a nostalgic charm, with its well-organized layout and books that have stood the test of time, maintaining their quality over decades.

A regular visitor, Ms. Phan Hoang Nguyen from District 11, expresses her fondness for the shop, citing it as a place that evokes cherished memories of her childhood.

Comic books are among the shop’s top sellers, attracting customers across different generations. Mr. Sang joyfully recounts how some patrons who read his books as kids now bring their own children to browse the shelves.

Mr. Sang’s daily ritual involves arranging and cleaning the books meticulously to ensure their preservation for years to come. He believes that valuing books is essential for a genuine reading experience.

Besides selling books, Mr. Sang indulges in collecting rare editions, often declining lucrative offers to part with them. Occasionally, he gifts these treasures to those close to his heart.

Reflecting on the early days of his bookshop, Mr. Sang finds solace in his enduring passion for running the shop, despite his children being grown-up and successful. His commitment stems from a desire for independence and the sheer joy the shop brings him in his later years.

While acknowledging the shift towards digital reading among the younger populace, Mr. Sang respects diverse paths to knowledge acquisition. His bookshop stands as a serene sanctuary for those who cherish the essence of printed books.