HÀ NỘI — The first-ever book street in central Hà Nội has attracted around 20,000 visitors within 15 days of opening, said Đinh Hồng Phong, vice-chairman of the city’s People’s Committee.

The street, which is packed with people in the evenings and on weekends, sees a wide variety of visitors, from young children and the elderly, to foreigners.

Reading activities organised in the street especially have attracted a remarkably high number of visitors. Among the events that have been held so far are the seminar Giáo Dục Việt Nam Học Được Gì Từ Văn Hóa Nhật (What Việt Nam’s Education Learns from Japan’s Culture), organised by Vietnam Women’s Publishing House to introduce writer Nguyễn Quốc Vương’s books, and the introduction of Harry Porter by Youth Publishing House.

There are plans to organise reading activities more regularly to increase the number of visitors to the street.

The local authority is drawing up rules to manage Hà Nội’s book street, and these will be implemented soon, Phong added.

The city’s People Committee is also considering installing a weather-proof system before summer hits its peak.

A website on Hà Nội’s book street is also under construction, to reach out to more people and share information about the activities and events planned there.

The book street is expected to attract a lot of tourists, like the pedestrian zone around Sword Lake.

Stretching along 200 metres of December 19 Street in Hà Nội’s Hoàn Kiếm District, it has 16 booths with easy access for people with disabilities, children and the elderly. The area includes a small square where people can meet and attend events and talks, and has free Wifi and water. — VNS