New bookstore with ambition to introduce Vietnamese literature to the world

HÀ NỘI – A new foreign-language bookstore has been opened in Hà Nội, opening the door to other literatures in the world for any true bookworm.

Born with the mission of bringing to readers quality and fresh literary works from all over the world, the InBook store offers thousands of foreign-language books – fiction, self-help, literature, educational and more.

InBook has a catalog of 7,000 book titles in English and French, which were imported directly. VNS Photo Thúy Hằng

The InBook has been originated from the small bookstore Blue Horizon established in 2017 and located within the premises of the Thế Giới (World) Publishing House. Over time, through a passion for books and persistent efforts, the bookstore have earned the trust and enthusiastic support of readers. Currently, at the time of positioning the brand as a foreign-language bookstore, InBook already has a community of over 10,000 readers, alongside a collection of 7,000 book titles in English and French, which were imported directly.

According to Nguyễn Hương Lan, the InBook’s founder, its inauguration not only marks a new stage of development for the bookstore, but also serves as evidence for the strong increase in the demand for reading books in English and French within the Vietnamese reader community.

“Our book catalog will be continuously updated and expanded to bring a wide range of new and exciting foreign language books of all genres for readers to explore,” Lan said.

From the very beginning, the bookshop established partnerships with foreign publishers.

“This is not an easy task, as a small bookstore from a distant Asian country has to go through many paperwork and verification processes to be able to import books from international publishing groups,” Lan said.

InBook was born with the mission of bringing to readers quality and fresh literary works from all over the world. VNS Photo Thúy Hằng

To date, after many years of developing business relationships, Green Horizon Company has become a reputable partner of more than 40 leading publishers around the world, including major names such as HarperCollins, Hachette, Penguin, Didier, Usborne, Nathan, and Gallimard.

The company also is a strategic partner of MM Publication (Europe), being the exclusive representative and distributor of all English Language Teaching, Maths & Science, Computing ICT (Information and Communication Technology) book titles in the Vietnamese market.

To stay up-to-date on the international book market and catch the latest trends, Blue Horizon has actively participated in major international bookfairs such as the Frankfurt Book Fair and the Salon du Livre de Paris. The company also is a member of the International Association of French-Language Bookstores, which is sponsored by the French Ministry of Culture.

Introducing VN’s literature to the world

In next three years, the InBook bookstore has a plan to expand their business to become a publisher and literary agent to support emerging Vietnamese writers.

Lan said that at the annual international bookfairs, publishers are always actively searching for new authors and faces, especially, in recent years, a number of Vietnamese-origin authors living abroad have achieved great success with their works. “Our aim is to bring Vietnamese literary works that reflect the spirit of the times to the international market,” he added.

Nguyễn Hương Lan, InBook’s founder and her husband Đặng Tùng Lâm present ‘A Story Inbook’ – an exclusive publication celebrating the inauguration of the InBook bookstore in Hà Nội on August 1. VNS Photo Thúy Hằng

“During our working with foreign publishers and participating in international bookfairs, we have recognised the ever-present potential for cultural development. If given the right level of attention and promotion, these potentials can become opportunities to introduce Vietnamese authors to the international market,” she said.

To celebrate its inauguration, during August, any bookworm visiting InBook will be offered ten per cent discount on the list price of all books.

InBook is located on the 7th Floor, Luxury Office Building, 93 Thụy Khuê Street, Hà Nội.