Spreading reading culture from bookstores

In schools, providing a wide variety of books helps students improve the quality of their learning.

In schools, providing a wide variety of textbooks helps students improve the quality of their learning.

Visiting the Van Tien bookstore on Le Quy Don Street, next to Thai Nguyen University of Education, I was overwhelmed by the tens of thousands of books neatly arranged on the shelves by subject: literature, science, economics textbooks, politics textbooks, Ho Chi Minh's ideology textbooks, reference books, life skills books, etc. New and used books were separated for easy searching.

Recalling the "golden age" of the used book wholesale market, Mr. Dao Anh Tien, owner of Van Tien Bookstore, enthusiastically said: "More than 10 years ago, my store was always crowded with people buying and renting books. The store had a certain quantity of used textbooks, reference books for various subjects, classic literature, and novels, so most of our customers were students. The bookstore was near schools, so during school dismissal times and on holidays, students would flock to the store to buy and rent books. Now, with the development of technology, many people, especially young people, have switched to reading e-books."

According to Mr. Tien, although the number of customers, especially students, has decreased, the good news is that middle-aged and elderly people are still a regular customer base looking for good books to read.

Many families are particularly interested in instilling a reading habit in their children. Therefore, in addition to buying reference books for academic subjects, they often choose books that teach life skills, communication, short stories, and Vietnamese fables... to help their children develop their thinking and nurture their souls.

During holidays, many families take their children to bookstores to choose reference books, books on life skills, etc., to help them gradually develop a reading habit.

On weekends, many families take their children to bookstores to choose reference books, books on life skills education , and more.

One might think that the current market for new books, with its vast and diverse offerings, would lead to a decline in the number of used bookstores. However, in reality, as the reading culture of young people improves, used books have gained a more solid foothold.

While older generations tend to choose books on history and culture, younger generations often seek out books on literature, language, and science as reference and research materials.

Hoang Thao Van, a fourth-year student in the Business Administration Faculty at the University of Economics and Business Administration (Thai Nguyen University), shared: "I've loved old books since my first year of university. Whenever I have free time, I go to used bookstores to buy books for reference. Old books have so much to offer; not only do they hold memories of the previous owners or authors, but the translations and writing styles of the past are also very familiar and authentic. Some writing styles are rarely seen today."

According to Ms. Duong Thu Minh from Phan Dinh Phung ward: Nowadays, bookstores and bookshops are paying great attention to creating experiential spaces for readers, making them feel less bored when they visit. The lively and attractively decorated bookstore spaces are very appealing to my child. She can choose books herself, feel the textures, and see the images… Many bookstores even provide dedicated reading spaces, which are ideal places for families to cultivate a reading culture in their children.

Over time, along with the persistent preservation of old bookstores, the strong development of modern bookstores and book supermarkets has gradually become a pillar of reading culture. The system of modern bookstores and book supermarkets reflects the changes in reading culture today.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/van-hoa/202509/lan-toa-van-hoa-doc-tu-cac-nha-sach-29259e5/