Nguyen Dong Chi Book Street is designed like a 'tropical forest'

The book street project is shaped like a green 'tropical forest' in the middle of the city, where books, art and community life blend, creating a new spiritual space for residents of South Saigon.

At the launching event on December 1, Mr. Pham Minh Toan, Executive Director of the Nguyen Dong Chi Book Street project, said that the project space applies green technology, architecture close to nature with a perspective like a "tropical forest" to attract young readers.

The construction unit of the book street said that it will plant many trees and use sustainable recycled materials for the roof, sidewalks, landscape lake, and music fountain.

Photo: Organizing Committee

Initiated from the desire to recreate the habit of reading in the midst of modern life, Nguyen Dong Chi Book Street (250 m long) aims to build an open cultural environment where people can come for music , cinema, painting, an art class or simply to rest under the trees, listen to the sounds of nature and hold a book in their hands. The space is designed so that each individual can find relaxation and creative inspiration when stopping.

According to the project representative, because it is located quite far from the city center, from Nguyen Van Linh to Nguyen Luong Bang (old District 7), the book street is positioned as a "green cultural destination", creating a quiet, relaxing experience. The kiosks are designed with curved roofs, applying a wind-catching system to help the street stay cool, with a temperature a few degrees Celsius lower than outside. The watering model uses "recycled water" - treating and converting urban wastewater for reuse. This is a project oriented to achieve the international EDGE certificate. Books appear naturally in each subdivision: architectural cafe with specialized books, music area, classroom, mini stage, tea and book area about psychology and mental care.

In addition, there are a series of subdivisions such as the Knowledge Garden and Creative Garden, a square - outdoor stage with a capacity of 300 - 500 guests, a smart library applying VR/3D and AI to personalize reading, an art workshop area and a children's play area integrating movement and intelligence. According to the investor's representative, this is not only a book street, but also a series of activities associated with Vietnamese identity: street art performances, cultural festivals, culinary events, book launches, green markets, international cultural exchanges... to create a vibrant community center with many experiences for all ages.

The project is expected to be inaugurated in the first quarter of 2026, expected to become a cultural highlight of Ho Chi Minh City and a new model for the development of reading culture, cultural industry and urban creative space.

Book Street is expected to open in early 2026.

Photo: Organizing Committee

The street is named after Professor Nguyen Dong Chi (1915 - 1984), a prominent folklore researcher, historian, archaeologist, Han Nom scholar, ethnologist and famous writer. Throughout his life, he devoted himself to collecting and preserving folk tales, contributing to preserving the nation's cultural treasure.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/duong-sach-nguyen-dong-chi-duoc-thiet-ke-nhu-khu-rung-nhet-doi-18525120213525178.htm