Mao Bookstore (Photo: vietnam.vnanet.vn)

Located on the second floor of an old apartment building at No. 5 Dinh Le street, Mao bookstore occupies a space of approximately 200 square meters, divided into five sections. The bookstore was opened 30 years ago by Ms. Pham Thi Mao and her husband Le Duy.

Designed in a classic French architectural style, it offers visitors a cozy space to spend the entire day searching for their favorite books or just simply enjoying a tranquil corner where they can immerse themselves in reading.

"The bookstore was built from my mother’s love of books. Many of the books she left behind are highly sought after by readers, even second-hand book auctioneers,” said Ngọc Anh, the daughter of the bookstore’s founders. 

Physical books, especially old ones, have a value that e-books can’t replace. Upon entering a second-hand bookstore, visitors are captivated by the nostalgic scent of old paper and the stories told through every page.

Ngoc Anh said many books have become rare, and can only be found in second-hand bookstores. “Old books hold a special value. They are reasonably priced and their translations are often closer to the original text. Nowadays, many translations are done using AI tools. Old books also have the distinct scent of old paper. We have loyal customers who come to spend time savoring each word in a book.”

Though their spaces are often small, second-hand bookstores house thousands of titles, ranging from academic textbooks and reference books to novels and short stories. Some aisles are so narrow that two people can barely pass, yet visitors never complain. In addition to a shared love of old books, each customer has personal reasons for coming. Some seek to unearth a rare find. Some are drawn by the nostalgic scent of old books.

“I visit second-hand bookstores about three times a month. I often look for Vietnamese literature. When I come here, I not only read but also find peace for my soul. I love the feeling of flipping through the pages of an old book, reliving the past.”

“I come to find works by Nguyen Nhat Anh, especially his older publications. These books reflect the author’s original writing style. I’m looking for books that are no longer available on the market.”

“I’m particularly fond of old comic books. The atmosphere in these bookstores is so peaceful. Everyone is deeply focused on their reading.”

A second-hand bookstore on Lang Street with thousands of books of all kinds (Photo: vovgiaothong.vn)

Second-hand bookstores may not stand out, but they hold invaluable cultural significance. Despite the passage of time and the changes in Hanoi, these bookstores remain irreplaceable in the hearts of book lovers.