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The little-known story of Hanoi's oldest and most unique bookstore.
Mentioning Dinh Le Street immediately brings to mind the quiet, gentle demeanor of the woman considered the "female patron saint" who founded the oldest book street in the capital. And when mentioning Mao Bookstore, I believe that no one on this street is unaware of Mr. Le Luy and Mrs. Pham Thi Mao, two people with humble origins but possessing a free-spirited and passionate soul.
Mão Bookstore is located on a small upper floor in alley number 5, Đinh Lễ Street.
Stepping into the small attic, I no longer encountered that warm image. Instead, I met a man with a burning love, enthusiasm, and simple yet heartfelt sharing, imbued with profound wisdom. Today, I don't want to dwell too much on the intellectual business story of these two individuals, each possessing great passion and courage. Perhaps what captivated me most was the affectionate gaze and warm, deep voice of Mr. Le Luy as he spoke of his late wife.
"His mother is preparing the betel tray."
If there's a river, I'll build a bridge for you to cross.
I'll go home and tell my parents.
"Our love has matured, a deep and heartfelt connection to our homeland."
(Author: Le Luy)
Mr. Le Luy shared: "Because I worked in the police force, I had to investigate the background of anyone I dated, and perhaps that's why our relationship was even more special. At that time, she was a pretty, well-behaved girl with impressive academic achievements, which made me admire her at first sight."
Previously, she had many suitors, men who were well-off both in terms of family background and financial means. Yet, she still chose him – a man orphaned at the age of seven, who had to struggle alone in the bustling capital, and who was also generous, righteous, intelligent, and whose love for her remained unwavering over the years. Love is inherently unpredictable; sometimes it's fate, sometimes it's destiny. Perhaps Mr. Le Luy and Ms. Pham Thi Mao were destined to be a perfect couple, a complete and fulfilling relationship filled with both emotion and intellect.
Mr. Le Luy shared that he still maintains the bookstore, but not for economic reasons. If he rented it out, the profit from selling books would probably be negligible, but he doesn't do that. Although he didn't say it explicitly, I know that more than just wanting a place for young people who love reading to visit, the main reason he keeps the bookstore is probably because it's his property and holds memories. It seems this is the last thing left where he can feel his wife is still by his side, sitting with him in the chair in front of the store, reading and drinking tea under the shade of the ancient trees.
There are countless types of books for you to choose from.
One weekend afternoon, I listened to the heartfelt stories of Mr. Le Luy, a man of an earlier generation, of an old and profound Hanoi. Now with white hair and trembling hands, his voice remains warm and gentle, along with the heart of an intellectual and a love that remains as vibrant as ever.
A treasure for bookworms.
Not only did I get to listen to Mr. Le Luy's story, but I also found myself immersed in a treasure trove of knowledge with a diverse range of books, catering to all ages from children's literature, spirituality, and foreign languages. Because of the enormous quantity of books, both new and used, there were some that I couldn't ask the owner for the exact location of, so I had to search through the shelves myself. Like a treasure hunt, there's nothing more wonderful than the feeling of joy when you find a book you love.
It contains hundreds of thousands of books across various genres, including Vietnamese literature, foreign literature, foreign language books, and comics.
In addition, Mão Bookstore is also an ideal check-in spot for young people who love classic spaces and want to immerse themselves in the beauty of books steeped in history. The space surrounded by books will make you feel like you've truly wandered into paradise.
After climbing the distinctive spiral staircase, I arrived at the second floor. Here, there were several small tables for those who wanted to read a book while sipping coffee, seeking a sense of comfort, relaxation, and tranquility that was quite different from the modern bookstores outside.
A place to find comfort, relaxation, and tranquility, quite different from the modern bookstores outside.
I'm sure there are many young people here, like me, searching for the old charm of the capital or simply a peaceful, tranquil space to forget the fatigue of a hectic, busy life. If you have the chance, visit Mão Bookstore to relive childhood memories through literature, sip a cup of coffee, and enjoy the ancient atmosphere that holds a simple yet intimate love story.
