Where is the old book street now?

(Baonghean) - Nguyen Van Cu Street in Vinh City is no longer the "paradise of used books." The bookstores are sparse and small, nestled amidst the bustling and vibrant shops. While a few years ago the street was affectionately known as the "used book street," the image of those bookstores side-by-side now only remains in memory… Most of the bookstores have closed to offer newer services.

I vividly remember the feeling of indecision and hesitation when choosing a destination from the many bookstores around. Then there were times when the bookstores were so crowded that people had to squeeze and weave through the narrow spaces of the shelves to find the book they wanted. But now, that bustling atmosphere has gradually eased and almost completely stopped…

Readers browse and buy books at the Sy Thuy used bookstore on Nguyen Van Cu Street (Vinh City). Photo: Lam Tung

Visiting Huong Tho Bookstore to inquire about the situation, we discovered several reasons for the decline of the book street. Firstly, with the rapid development of science and technology and the internet becoming a powerful tool providing unlimited information, people are "lazy" about searching for books. For example, if you're cooking and forget how to make a dish, it's easy to find the recipe online using your phone. A cookbook is no longer necessary. Furthermore, the used book business yields low profits while operating costs are high, leading many to abandon the profession and switch to other jobs. Just the rent for a business space currently costs around 8-10 million VND (four to five times higher than in previous years). Unable to pay, many bookstores are forced to close.

The few bookstores that remain open are often experiencing a lack of customers. Only a handful of people visit throughout the morning, and even then, they may not find the books they're looking for. The owner of Huong Tho bookstore says that business is slow only twice a year: around March and April, when students flock to find study materials, and July and August, when parents prepare their children for school. For the rest of the year, business is sluggish.

To survive in the business, bookstores focus on popular titles and import books according to customer demand. They import larger quantities of books that are currently "hot" and popular with readers. Study materials for university entrance exams, novels, etc., are among the most popular titles. When Japan and South Korea opened their doors to foreign workers, dictionaries and foreign language learning books sold very well.

Nguyen Linh (a student at Vinh University) shared: “For several years now, I haven't been to a bookstore. Now, everything is available online, and it's convenient to search and read. Buying books is expensive and less convenient than reading on my phone.” Used books, in particular, and the book and newspaper market in general, are facing a cold reception from readers! The used book market is dying out, but it hasn't completely shut down. There are still people who are dedicated and passionate about the profession. Huong Tho Bookstore is one of the first used bookstores on Nguyen Van Cu Street. He started selling used books on the sidewalk in 2000. In 2001, he officially rented a business space. To date, his family has been in the business for over 14 years. For him, books are an invaluable asset to humanity. Selling books is about bringing knowledge to people. Moreover, used books are affordable for many people, especially students from disadvantaged backgrounds, so his work is also seen as helping many people.

Perhaps soon, Nguyen Van Cu Street will become a bustling, crowded street of fashion and food. Few will remember that it was once famous for its used bookstores. Only a few bookstores remain, destinations for those who love and need old books and appreciate the values ​​of the past…

Ha An