Data from Singapore show that their citizens read on average 14 books a year, and in Malaysia 10 books a year. Therefore, enhancing a reading culture among Vietnamese youth is a great necessity. According to some experts, the reading spirit of the youth can be encouraged with just the smallest changes in their reading environment.
Hà Trang is an avid reader. For years, she has been a loyal customer of Tranquil Coffee & Books, a small book and coffee shop located at Nguyễn Quang Bích Street in Hanoi. Trang chose Tranquil because the environment in the shop is very conducive for reading.
"If I go into a coffee shop and see everyone reading, I’ll grab a book and read too! It’s like a reading atmosphere is in the air." - Nguyen Thi Ha Trang, Loyal Customer of Tranquil Coffee & Books
The operation of Tranquil Coffee & Books as well as other book and coffee shops in Hanoi is an example showing that the desire to read can be fuelled when readers are in an appropriate environment.
"When I opened this book and coffee shop, I’d already determined that a coffee shop is a meeting place, and the books are something that I’d recommend to the customers in the most amiable manner, so that they can be exposed to books in a natural way." - Khuat Anh Tuan, Owner of Tranquil Coffee & Books.
Improving reading environments was also mentioned as a solution to developing a reading culture in Vietnam during a discussion held by the Ministry of Education and Training in response to the 3rd Vietnam Book Day.
"We need to encourage the establishment of private libraries, which are not merely reading rooms but also provide outdoor spaces for readers to enjoy the fresh air or drink a cup of coffee while reading their books." - Nguyen Manh Hung, Member of the Central Committee, Vietnam Book & Publishing Association.
The idea of on-campus reading spaces has begun to take shape at some universities in Vietnam. At the Academy of Finance in Hanoi, a new reading space has been prepared by members of the Book and Action Club right at the Academy’s library in celebration of Vietnam Book Day.
"This new reading space has managed to attract the interest of many Academy students. A lot of them come here to read! Here, we also provide many good books in hope of spreading the reading spirit around." - Nguyen Thi Mai Ly, Student, Member of Book & Action Club.
Enhancing a reading culture among youth requires many long-term efforts. However, simple actions such as changing the surrounding space to make the reading environment more comfortable also contributes a lot to encouraging the reading spirit in each person./.
