Mr. Le Hoang, Deputy Head of Executive Board of Book Street said total 24,000 new books were sold from 20 book booths (6 months) worth VND 15 billion. 5 booths gained sales of more than VND 1 billion, the rest has turnover from VND 200 million to VND 500 million.

Book Street has become a place where book makers can share, exchange with publishers, authors and readers. In the first 6 months of 2016, there were about 7 sessions lasted for days with diversified contents and activities. Through these sessions, the Executive Board has coordinated with departments-agencies and political-social organizations and book exhibitors to create a space for outdoor events, cultural festivals, entertainment at weekends.

The Book Street has inspired the aspiration of book makers, connecting and studying experience in organizing Book Festivals from international publishers’ associations such as Germany, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, and Korea in organizing Book Festival, discussing and purchasing copyrights, making efforts to build and develop Vietnam book publishing industry competitive enough for global integration.

However, the Book Street has shown some weaknesses in organization as well as activities. Specifically, the Book Street failed to display some technical books or specialized books, limited book contents. In addition, the Book Street has also shown weakness in communication, a big gap between revenue and expenditure, not attracting active participation from publishing houses and book makers.

In order to make it effective in the last 6 months, the Executive Board of Book Street said it is necessary to create more new and attractive features, luring participation from many other book makers, strengthening information promotion of book street on its websites, Facebook, fan pages or on other social networks; linking with schools to organize extra – curricular activities at the Book Street, etc.

HCM CITYWEB