Journey to the City of Books

172373011_10215665546911171_7474274551599414082_n(1).jpg — Children reading books at the Hoi An Reading Space. Photo: KH

Reading aloud to children

With so many stories of Hoi An's glorious past – a meeting place for writers, the cradle of reading culture in Central Vietnam. And together we nurture the dream of restoring family bookshelves and reviving reading culture in the ancient town.

Meeting like-minded souls has given me and the members of the Hoi An Reading Space group more motivation to organize reading sessions with children. Regularly, every Sunday morning in open spaces—from museum lobbies and rest stop areas to a corner of the courtyard near the skylight in an old house—we read books aloud to children.

We want to convey the message to the community that reading can be done anytime, anywhere. Thanks to reading in an open space, I received participation and feedback from old friends in Hoi An who once shared a passion for reading.
With perseverance and constant innovation, each reading session is fresh and engaging, combining expressive reading with interactive activities after the reading.
The number of children enthusiastically participating in reading sessions is increasing. This makes me believe that this generation will develop a habit of reading independently. And before long, they will be the ones to bring back the once-famous bookstores of Hoi An, making them a reality in this world heritage city.

Learn about historical sites through the pages of a book.

Inspire reading

Over the past three years, collaborations in reading training and the organization of reading culture development activities in Hoi An have become increasingly vibrant. This is partly due to individuals passionate about developing their reading skills participating in Reading Vietnam's Reading Ambassador training courses, alongside proactive efforts from school libraries.

I remember most vividly the interactive reading session with over 600 elementary school students in Hoi An. Normally, interactive reading sessions by reading ambassadors with children are limited to around 20 students. But strangely enough, during that music storytelling session, over 600 students seemed captivated by my narration and the musical storytelling style of "Uncle Sam" (the affectionate name for Tran Tan Sam – the author of Vietnam's first music storytelling series).

Along with the members of the Hoi An Reading Space, we also have additional storytellers from parents and teachers. They have made reading richer, more vibrant, and more inspiring, encouraging us to read together.

More than 10 years ago, I dreamed that Hoi An would be the first city in the country to be known as a city of reading. Now, building this dream city of reading is still a journey. But this path is becoming increasingly interesting, with many positive signs that give me confidence.

The Hoi An Reading Space has been operating for 11 years since its establishment. Through perseverance, passion, and the spreading of the spirit of reading, Khieu Thi Hoai has become synonymous with the Hoi An Reading Space. From the habit of reading to her children to the initial plan to open a free reading space for children, over 11 years, the Hoi An Reading Space and Khieu Thi Hoai have become a distinctive landmark of the ancient town every weekend. Khieu Thi Hoai has also become a Reading Ambassador for Vietnam, stemming from her activities at the Hoi An Reading Space. From a woman from the North who moved to Hoi An with her husband, she now knows Hoi An as intimately as her own hometown. She says her favorite job is reading to children every weekend in these beautiful, romantic spaces, and naturally inspiring others to read to them. ( LQ )

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