Top 8 Best Bookstores in Ho Chi Minh City for Travelers

For travelers visiting Vietnam’s bustling southern metropolis, finding a bookstore in Ho Chi Minh can be a delightful way to connect with local culture, pick up a travel guide, or enjoy a peaceful reading session amidst the city’s energy. Whether you’re searching for Vietnamese literature in translation, a quiet English corner, or simply typing “bookstores near me” into your phone, Ho Chi Minh City offers an impressive selection of unique and traveler-friendly bookshops.

In this guide, we’ll explore the top 8 best bookstores in Ho Chi Minh City—from independent English-language havens to cultural hubs filled with local charm. These spots are not just retail outlets; they’re destinations in themselves, offering insight into the city’s creativity and literary spirit.

1. Fahasa Bookstore – Nguyen Hue Bookstore

📍Location: 40 Nguyen Hue Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

One of Vietnam’s largest bookstore chains, Fahasa is a must-visit for travelers who want variety. This flagship store on Nguyen Hue Walking Street offers books in multiple languages, including a well-stocked English section. You’ll find travel guides, Vietnamese history books, and popular novels.

❓Why visit: Centrally located, air-conditioned, and offers stationery, maps, and souvenirs—perfect for travelers.
💁‍♀️Traveler tip: Head to the English-language shelves near the back for the widest selection.

2. Nguyen Van Binh Book Street

📍Location: Nguyen Van Binh Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City (next to Saigon Central Post Office)

While not a single bookstore in Ho Chi Minh, this entire pedestrian street is lined with bookshops, making it a paradise for bibliophiles. Located next to the iconic Saigon Central Post Office, Nguyen Van Binh Book Street is filled with small shops, open-air reading areas, and occasional book fairs.

❓Why visit: A cultural experience as much as a shopping one, with photo-friendly spots and live events.
💁‍♀️Traveler tip: If you’re looking for an English bookstore in Ho Chi Minh City, several shops here carry English books at reasonable prices.

3. ArtBook

📍Location: 43 Dong Khoi Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

For travelers with an eye for design, ArtBook is a boutique bookstore specializing in art, photography, architecture, and fashion publications. It’s more than a store—it’s a creative space where every book feels like a collectible.

❓Why visit: Unique selection of visual-heavy books, ideal for gifts or inspiration.
💁‍♀️Traveler tip: Great spot to pick up a coffee table book that reflects Vietnamese culture.

4. Soo Kafe (The Hidden Elephant Books & Coffee)

📍Location: 35 Phan Chu Trinh Street, Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

A charming independent English bookstore in Ho Chi Minh City, The Hidden Elephant is tucked away in a quiet alley, offering a cozy space to browse and read. The curated selection focuses on literature, philosophy, and art, with a good number of secondhand titles. Besides, you could find more information about Hanoi book store guide in here.

❓Why visit: Peaceful atmosphere, great coffee, and a community vibe.
💁‍♀️Traveler tip: Come early in the day for the best seat by the window.

5. Phuong Nam Bookstore – Vincom Center

📍Location: Level B2, Vincom Center, 72 Le Thanh Ton Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Another large bookstore chain, Phuong Nam has a flagship store inside Vincom Center that’s ideal for travelers wanting both Vietnamese and English titles. They also carry music, movies, and stationery.

❓Why visit: Convenient for those staying in District 1 and looking for a quick bookstores near me result.
💁‍♀️Traveler tip: Their English travel guide section is particularly well-stocked.

6. Pages Café & Books

📍Location: 17 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Pages Café & Books is a cozy café-bookstore hybrid that attracts both locals and travelers looking for a relaxing reading spot. The shop offers a mix of Vietnamese and English books, including novels, art publications, and travel guides. The warm lighting, wood-themed décor, and quiet corners make it an ideal place to unwind.

❓Why visit: Great Vietnamese coffee and food, diverse book selection, and a peaceful reading environment in the heart of the city.
💁‍♀️Traveler tip: Pair your book browsing with their signature coconut coffee or specialties meals for the ultimate Saigon experience.

7. Ca Chep Bookstore

📍Location: 211-213 Vo Van Tan Street, Ward 5, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City

With multiple floors dedicated to literature, art books, and children’s titles, Ca Chep Bookstore is one of the city’s most visually appealing bookshops. While the English section is smaller, it’s well-curated, featuring Vietnamese authors in translation.

❓Why visit: Beautiful interior design and a blend of modern and traditional decor. If you’re kind of these unique decoration, feel free to visit our list via Saigon coffee culture: From Traditional Cafés to Trendy Coffee Shops
💁‍♀️Traveler tip: Ideal stop for buying illustrated books as souvenirs.

8. Hai An Bookstore & Café

📍Location: 2B Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Hai An Bookstore & Café is one of the most beautiful and modern bookstores in the city, combining a spacious reading area with a chic coffee space. It offers a wide selection of Vietnamese books and a curated English section, along with art and design publications. The atmosphere is open, airy, and perfect for lingering over a cup of coffee with your new read.

❓Why visit: Stylish design, great coffee, and a diverse range of books.
💁‍♀️Traveler tip: Climb to the upper floors for the quietest reading corners.

Tips for Finding the Right Bookstore in Ho Chi Minh City

1. Use “bookstores near me” searches on Google Maps to discover smaller independent stores.
2. If you want an English bookstore in Ho Chi Minh City, head to expat-frequented districts like District 1, District 3 or District 2.
3. Book Street (Nguyen Van Binh) is a must-see for both tourists and locals.
4. Many bookstores in Vietnam sell stationery, gifts, and art prints—making them ideal for souvenir shopping from Vietnam.
5. Last but not least, searching on bookstores’ websites before visiting is encouraged because of its convenience. You could find the price, types, closing time or neccessary things you need on it.

Beyond Books – Unique Experiences at Bookstores in Ho Chi Minh City

While bookstores in Ho Chi Minh City are a paradise for book lovers, they also offer a variety of experiences that go far beyond simply browsing shelves. For travelers, these extra touches can turn a simple book-shopping trip into a memorable cultural adventure.

1. Join Creative Workshops

Many bookstores, such as Hai An Bookstore & Café and certain shops along Nguyen Van Binh Book Street, host regular workshops on weekends. These can include calligraphy classes, paper crafting, or watercolor painting sessions. Following the stores’ Facebook pages or websites is the best way to catch their schedules. These workshops are an excellent way for travelers to interact with locals while trying something hands-on.

2. Enjoy Coffee & Books on Rainy Saigon Days

Café-bookstore hybrids like The Hidden Elephant Books & Coffee or Pages Café & Books are perfect for escaping sudden tropical downpours. Order a Vietnamese coffee—either hot or iced—and lose yourself in a good book while the rain taps against the windows. This cozy experience is a quintessential slice of Saigon life.

3. Shop for Unique Souvenirs

Many bookstores in Ho Chi Minh City sell gifts and artisanal items alongside their books. For example, at Con Mèo Nhỏ – Người Kể Chuyện Trên Nền Giấy Dó (“Little Cat – The Storyteller on Dó Paper”), you can find beautiful handmade cards, notebooks, and artworks crafted from giấy dó, a traditional Vietnamese paper made from the bark of the dó tree.

This paper has been used for centuries in folk paintings, calligraphy, and official documents, making it a cultural treasure. Taking home a dó paper artwork is not just buying a souvenir—it’s preserving a piece of Vietnamese heritage.

4. Discover Local Art & Design

Shops like ArtBook specialize in art publications, photography books, and architecture monographs. Many also sell locally designed tote bags, bookmarks, and posters that make stylish keepsakes for travelers.

5. Experience Cultural Storytelling

Some independent bookstores host intimate author talks or poetry readings, often in both Vietnamese and English. These events give travelers a deeper understanding of Vietnamese culture and literature beyond the typical tourist experience.

FAQs – Best Bookstores in Ho Chi Minh City

1. Are there English bookstores in Ho Chi Minh City?

Yes. Several bookstores in Ho Chi Minh City have dedicated English sections, such as The Hidden Elephant Books & Coffee, Bookworm’s Coffee, and Fahasa Saigon Centre. Nguyen Van Binh Book Street also has shops selling English-language books.

2. What is the best bookstore in Ho Chi Minh City for travelers?

Nguyen Van Binh Book Street is highly recommended for travelers because it combines multiple bookshops, outdoor reading areas, and cultural events in one location. For air-conditioned comfort, Fahasa Saigon Centre and Phuong Nam Bookstore are also excellent choices.

3. Where can I find secondhand English books in Ho Chi Minh City?

The best places for secondhand English books include Bookworm’s Coffee, Saigon K’s Bookstore, and The Hidden Elephant Books & Coffee. These shops often have affordable options and allow book exchanges.

4. Do bookstores in Ho Chi Minh City sell travel guides?

Yes. Larger bookstores like Fahasa, Phuong Nam, and Kinokuniya often stock English-language travel guides, maps, and Vietnam history books, making them perfect for tourists.

5. What are the opening hours for bookstores in Ho Chi Minh City?

Most bookstores in the city open from around 8:00 AM or 9:00 AM and close between 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM. Independent bookstores and café-bookstore hybrids may have shorter hours, usually from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

6. How do I find a bookstore near me in Ho Chi Minh City?

Simply type “bookstores near me” into Google Maps for real-time results. District 1 and District 3 have the highest concentration of bookstores, both local and English-language.

7. Do bookstores in Ho Chi Minh City sell souvenirs?

Yes. Many stores, such as ArtBook and Ca Chep Bookstore, sell art prints, stationery, and locally themed books that make excellent souvenirs.

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