Nguyen Van Binh Book Street is one of the attractions you should not miss on your trip to Saigon. For true bookworms, this is the ideal place for you to satisfy your passion for reading. In this article, we will introduce you to all the interesting things at Ho Chi Minh City Book Street.
General information about Nguyen Van Binh Book Street
Address: Nguyen Van Binh Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Entrance fee: free
Opening hours:
- 8 AM – 9 PM from Monday to Friday
- 8 AM – 9.30 PM every Saturday and Sunday
Nguyen Van Binh Book Street or Ho Chi Minh City Book Street is a famous street with the impression of a place filled with books as well as the sense of knowledge that the space brings along with many interesting activities and events, attracting the attention of many locals and tourists. This is one of the first book streets in Vietnam, established in 2004. The book street is home to more than 17 booths of publishers, book distribution companies and book-related units. Here, visitors can find all kinds of books. From science and technology books, literature books, history books, foreign language books to children’s books.
Nguyen Van Binh Book Street
This is not only a place to buy and sell books but also a community cultural space. Activities such as author exchanges, book launches, seminars, and book exhibitions are regularly held here. It can be said that Nguyen Van Binh Book Street is an attractive destination for domestic and foreign tourists, a place for people to learn about Vietnam’s reading culture. Nguyen Van Binh Book Street is located right in the city center, opposite the Independence Palace and only about 3km from Bui Vien Walking Street. This creates favorable conditions for travel and makes Saigon Book Street an attractive destination for both locals and tourists.
History of Nguyen Van Binh Book Street
Nguyen Van Binh Book Street is one of the oldest streets in Saigon, witnessing many changes in the city. In the past, Nguyen Van Binh Book Street was known as “Hong Kong.” During the French colonial period, this street witnessed the control of foreign colonialists with the urbanization of Saigon at that time. On February 24, 1897, the street experienced an important turning point when its official name was changed to “Cardis.” From October 19, 1955, the street had a new name – “Nguyen Hau.” This period witnessed major events in the country’s history, including changes in political regimes and important events during the war.
Since April 7, 2000, Book Street has officially been named after Bishop Nguyen Van Binh, a famous intellectual and Catholic leader. Therefore, in addition to having unique cultural significance, this is also a place to connect religions and show respect for knowledge.
Nguyen Van Binh Book Street in the past
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How to Get to Nguyen Van Binh Book Street
Nguyen Van Binh Book Street is located right in the city center, near many iconic landmarks such as Notre Dame Cathedral and Saigon Central Post Office, so getting there is very easy. Here are detailed instructions:
- By taxi or ride-hailing apps like Grab, Xanh SM: is the most popular and convenient way to get to any place in the city. You just need to enter Nguyen Van Binh Book Street or its address into the app and the driver will take you there. A trip from nearby locations around District 1 usually costs around 50-100,000 VND ($2 – $4), however, the fare will vary depending on your pick-up location.
- By bus: the dense public bus system allows you to get to the street no matter where you are in the city, just a short walk from the bus stop. Although taking the bus may take longer, this is a very economical option with a fare of only about 7,000 VND per trip. Choose a trip with a schedule that suits you to avoid wasting time and getting lost.
- By motorbike or private car: if you want to combine visiting many places in one day, simply want to explore more freely and move more flexibly. This option is very suitable for groups of friends or families who want a more adventurous experience. There are many clean parking lots around the road for you to refer to with prices from 5,000 VND to 10,000 VND.
What to Do at Nguyen Van Binh Book Street
Shopping in a colorful book paradise
As the first book street complex in Vietnam, Nguyen Van Binh Book Street gathers many famous bookstores across the country. Coming here, you will be immersed in a colorful “book paradise”, discovering all kinds of books from politics, society, literature, and science to culture, foreign languages and many other genres. There are more than 20 booths belonging to publishing units and companies such as: Ho Chi Minh City General Publishing House, Kim Dong, Nha Nam, Thai Ha, and Alphabooks. So you can freely choose your favorite book genre and books that are not available in many other places, moreover, the prices are extremely affordable.
Each book display booth here is designed with its own unique features, making readers feel extremely excited. There are bookshelves arranged in the middle of the street, while other bookshelves are designed to hug the tree roots, creating a friendly and close space.
There are many famous bookstores on the street
Take photos with beautiful backgrounds
Nguyen Van Binh Book Street is one of the hottest places in Saigon with the most check-ins. Visitors coming here can take photos with a series of beautiful backgrounds. Moreover, what makes the book street a meeting place for those who come here is the cool green space in the middle of the city with year-round sunlight and long rows of ancient trees shading both sides of the street. The book street is located near famous heritage sites such as the City Post Office, and Notre Dame Cathedral, … creating a unique and attractive public space.
Here are some suggestions for you:
- Giant 3D book wall: This is the hottest check-in spot at the Book Street with vivid and colorful 3D images. You can pose next to giant bookshelves, cartoon characters or inspirational quotes.
- Book Street welcome gate: Designed with modern and unique architecture. Create an impressive background for your photos. You can take photos with the welcome gate from afar or stand below to get the best angles.
- Book stalls: Each stall is beautifully decorated with different themes. You can take photos with towering stacks of books, unique ancient books or works of art displayed at the stalls.
The street has a lot of beautiful backgrounds to take photos
Experience drinking coffee and reading books
Not only a book paradise, Nguyen Van Binh Book Street is also a place where you can enjoy relaxing, peaceful moments after the hustle and bustle of life. It will be interesting to sit and sip a hot cup of coffee, listen to melodious music and “nibble” on a good book here. You can visit book cafes with unique and creative designs such as Ban Coffee or Phuong Nam Coffee Book. Not only does it have an impressive view, it is also a place for you to meet friends who share the same passion for reading. In the noisy context of Saigon, Nguyen Van Binh Book Street brings a quite peaceful space.
A book cafe on Nguyen Van Binh Book Street
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An attractive play area for children
Not only for adults, the book street is also an ideal destination for children. Here, children can freely explore the colorful world of knowledge and nurture their passion for reading from an early age. The children’s play area located in the book street is a destination that children love very much. There is a separate area for children to play and learn with many useful activities such as coloring, drawing, reading books… Children can participate in these activities to develop their creativity and language skills. In addition, the book street also regularly organizes book signing activities and exchanges with authors…
Attractive street performances for kids
Places to eat nearby Nguyen Van Binh Book Street
Ben Thanh Market
Address: Le Loi Street, District 1
Distance: 15 minutes walk
The food court inside Ben Thanh Market is a paradise for local street food. You will find iconic dishes such as pho, banh xeo and grilled pork with rice noodles. With so many stalls, you can taste many different flavors in one place. Therefore, the cuisine of Ben Thanh Market always attracts locals as well as domestic and foreign tourists. If you have the opportunity to come here, take a walk around these delicious restaurants, you will definitely not be disappointed.
Ben Thanh Night Market’s street food
Hai Ba Trung Snack Alley
Address: Alley 76 Hai Ba Trung, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Distance: 2 minutes walk
The legendary alley is considered a culinary paradise in District 1, which is Hai Ba Trung Snack Alley. This place not only has many delicious dishes but is also very familiar to many Saigon food lovers. Coming to this alley, you will feel like you are lost in the culinary world with many delicious dishes. Surely this will be a place to eat in District 1 that will satisfy you.
Hai Ba Trung Snack Alley
Banh Mi Huynh Hoa
Address: 26 Le Thi Rieng, Ben Thanh, District 1, HCMC
Distance: 9 minutes walk
If you are a foodie, you cannot help but know Banh Mi Huynh Hoa. Known as one of the best banh mi shops in Ho Chi Minh City, Banh Mi Huynh Hoa serves crusty baguettes filled with generous layers of cold cuts, pate, pickled vegetables, and fresh herbs. It’s a must-try for anyone craving Vietnam’s iconic sandwich.
Banh Mi Huynh Hoa
Pha Lau Tran Van On
Address: 12 Nguyen Thanh Y, Da Kao, District 1, HCMC.
Distance: 5 minutes walk
Pha Lau Tran Van On is an extremely delicious place to eat in District 1 located right on Nguyen Thanh Y Street. This is one of the oldest offal shops in Saigon and is prepared in a traditional family style. The intestines here are rated as super delicious and cheap, you should stop by!
Pha Lau
Bep Me In
Address: 136/9 Le Thanh Ton, District 1
Distance: 8 minutes walk
For an authentic street food experience in a clean and cozy space, Bep Me In serves classic Vietnamese dishes such as broken rice, grilled pork and fresh rice paper. The restaurant is also on the list of Michelin-starred restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City. This is a hidden gem for those who want to taste local flavors.
A Vietnamese family meal in Bep Me In
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The above article is a sharing about Nguyen Van Binh Book Street. Surely with unique features in space and design, this will be an ideal stop for many tourists when coming to Saigon. Hopefully, your trips will be truly meaningful and complete thanks to the sharing of IDC Travel.
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