The "Reading Culture Space – Temple of Literature" was launched in the open-air Ho Van area with the goal of connecting heritage, knowledge, and community, while encouraging active public participation in cultural life.
Delegates at the event.
It is not only a place to read books but also a cultural gathering point that links younger generations with traditional values, spreads the love of reading, nurtures the spirit of learning, and promotes respect for heritage, especially among students.
In essence, the model functions as an open library that serves the community free of charge, fostering reading culture, inspiring a love for books, and contributing to the creation of a learning society and the promotion of lifelong education.
The "Reading Culture Space – Temple of Literature" currently offers nearly 1,000 valuable titles donated by sponsoring organizations, including the Hanoi Publishing House, Kim Dong Publishing House, Women's Publishing House, Tien Phong and Nhi Dong Newspapers, Huy Hoang Culture Corporation, Thai Ha Books, and Vietnam Books and Media Co., Ltd. (Young Knowledge). A large number of rotating books are also provided by the Hanoi Center for Culture and Library.
The reading space is regarded as a cultural community venue for both residents and visitors.
The most notable works in the collection are books on the history and culture of Thang Long – Hanoi, Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam, and Vietnam's scholarly traditions; works on Confucian scholars; literature and arts; life skills; and many other useful fields of knowledge. Among them, the collection Thang Long – 1,000 Years of Civilization published by the Hanoi Publishing House stands out as a valuable highlight.
According to Le Xuan Kieu, Director of the Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities, the purpose of establishing this cultural model is to promote the value of Ho Van and to create a long-term cultural highlight for reading and knowledge-sharing activities.
This initiative also represents the first step in transforming Ho Van into the first distinctive public reading space at a special national historic site, serving as a "knowledge playground" of the capital city.
Together with heritage experience activities organized on-site, the initiative is oriented toward gradually turning Ho Van into a cultural space of Hanoi, enriched with diverse cultural industry products that will attract visitors. The "Reading Culture Space – Temple of Literature" is open to all groups, from students and young people to the elderly, tourists, and local residents, who can come and read on-site completely free of charge.