BOOK LOVERS - Visitors view journalists’ books and collections of their reportage at the HCM City Book Pedestrian Street during the Journalists’ Book Fair to celebrate Việt Nam Revolutionary Press Day on June 21. Photo courtesy of the book street company

HCM CITY — The HCM City Book Street Company achieved its highest half-year revenue during the first half of 2023, amounting to VNĐ32.2 billion (US$1.35 million), a year-on-year increase of 56 per cent.

The amount is from book sales and profit from two coffee shops at the book street on Nguyễn Văn Bình Street in District 1.

In particular, the book sales reached more than VNĐ29.5 billion ($1.24 million), an increase of 82 per cent compared to the same period of 2022.

Lê Hoàng, the company’s director, said, “This year, publishers, distributors and book companies have introduced more new publications from local and international authors, as well as reprinted out-of-print books to serve readers of all ages.”

He added the company has worked with leading domestic and foreign publishers and distributors to host book introductions, signing events and talk shows.

In the first half of 2013, the company organised 123 cultural activities, book fairs, and photo exhibitions to celebrate special anniversaries, such as HCM City Children’s Book Fair, Journalists’ Book Fair, and Tết Book Fair, attracting millions of local and foreign visitors.

A series of activities such as book reading and painting were also held every weekend to create a playground for children.

Hoàng said, “The company plans to upgrade facilities at the book street and install new lights this year to set up more activities in the evening for visitors.”

The book street was first opened in January 2016 with dozens of book stalls and coffee shops from more than 20 publishers and book distributors in the city.  VNS.