Da Nang has launched a design competition to seek the best architectural ideas for the construction of a square, a museum situated on the central axis of Da Nang which consists of the Municipal Administrative Center, Bach Dang and Tran Phu Streets, and some related administrative headquarters in Thach Thanh Ward, Hai Chau District. The competition also aims to seek the best ideas for designing a public book garden in line with the city’s approved planning policy.

Illustrative image (Photo: baodanang.vn)

It is considered that the municipal government has prepared for the construction of a book garden or a book street located in the inner city. However, the planning for this new development still encounters problems so that the city has yet to turn its idea into reality.

There are two decisive documents issued by the municipal government to allow to add a book street to the design competition. They are a directive No. 23 dated Dec 27, 2022 issued by the Da Nang Party Committee on enhancing the leadership of the Party in the cultural development, and a decision No. 3460 dated Dec 31, 2022 issued by the municipal People's Committee on approving a project to promote the development of culture and society in parallel with economic growth with a focus on building Da Nang’s civilized and friendly people, thereby contributing to developing Da Nang into a peaceful and livable city.  This will lay a strong foundation for creating a distinct identity for the city associated with its traditions, culture and history in the 2022- 2025 period.

Earlier on November 11, 2021, the Vietnamese Prime Minister released a decision No.1862 on launching the Viet Nam Book and Reading Culture Day which falls on April 21 every year in order to highlight the significance of books, promote readers, honour authors, publishers, presses, libraries, and the contribution of collecting, storing, and promoting books of organizations and individuals in the community.

The above factors are basic and convincing conditions for developing an idea of designing a book garden or a book street in the inner city in order to allow the city’s design competition to open to designers and architects in a bid to seek the best architectural ideas which will be added to the city’s detailed planning.

The square is a large public space, where cultural and political events along with daily activities will take place to serve the locals and tourists. This place is expected to become a dynamic destination at night for locals and tourists, as well as a multi-purpose and diverse public space with a combination of architectural elements, building landscapes, trees, water surface, and more.

In addition to the above- mentioned documents, it can be said that Da Nang’s current socio-economic conditions and its development strategies are suitable for the city to turn its idea of planning and designing a book street into reality.

According to the results of the 2019 Viet Nam Population and Housing Census, the population of Da Nang was more than 1.1 million people in 2019. As a key city in Central Viet Nam and Central Highlands, Da Nang has attracted a large number of the intellectuals and qualified employees while it has also witnessed an increasing number of domestic and international visitor arrivals after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Da Nang is now home to the Da Nang Publishing House along with branches and representative offices of top Vietnamese book publishers, including the National Political Publishing House, the Vietnam Education Publishing House, Tre and Kim Dong publishing houses, the Viet Nam Writers Association Publishing House, the Literature Publishing House, and the People's Army Publishing House, along with Prestige publishing entities like the Da Nang Book and School Equipment Publishing Joint Stock Company, Fahasa, and Phuong Nam.

An essential factor contributing to successfully transforming Da Nang’s idea of opening a book street into reality involves studying and sharing experiences with other Vietnamese localities on design, construction models, as well as management and operation methods of prominent book streets across the country. Included are well-known book streets in Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Cao Lanh City in Dong Thap Province.

It is noticeable that these cultural spaces have been laumnched in the heart of Vietnamese major cities. In particular, Ho Chi Minh City has opened a book street in Nguyen Van Binh Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, and this venue is situated close to the Independence Palace, the Post Office, and the Notre Dame Cathedral while a book street made its debut in Ha Noi, and it is located in Tran Hung Dao Ward, Hoan Kiem District, adjacent to the Hoan Kiem Lake, also known as ‘Sword Lake’, the Cathedral, and other significant cultural and historical landmarks. Meanwhile, the Cao Lanh Book Street, the first of its kind in the Mekong Delta is situated at the Temple of Literature, adjacent to the Van Thanh Mieu cultural relic of Dong Thap Province.

The book street not only showcases books and modern publishing techniques but also serves as a host venue for cultural events and meaningful activities, including book launches, Reading Culture Ambassador Contest, storytelling competition, and book exchanges. This shift from scattered and disjointed events to a centralized location enhances the street's appeal and reach. A key feature of the book street is the establishment of the book cafe, serving as a meeting place for book enthusiasts and a cultural place for young people and tourists, thereby helping to cultivate a love for reading and nurture reading habits in local people.

Is the time ‘ripe’ for Da Nang to open a book street in the inner city?

Reporting by N.THANH - Translating by T.AN