Mao Bookshop is one of the oldest bookstores in the capital. It is located on the second floor of an old apartment block on Dinh Le Street in Hanoi's Hoan Kiem District. Its history, spanning over thirty years, has become integral to the capital's literary culture.
The bookshop covers 200 square metres and is divided into five themed sections. It houses hundreds of thousands of books across various genres.
Many visitors come to relive the nostalgic atmosphere, browse rare titles, and immerse themselves in reading for hours — all free.
The bookshop's owner, Le Ngoc Anh, inherited the store from her mother, Pham Thi Mao, who passed away in 2017. After years of deliberation, Anh decided to introduce a new business model.
"In the end, I chose to open a homestay within the bookstore," she explained. "This is also my way of encouraging young people to reconnect with physical books by offering them a unique and immersive experience."
Since December 2024, a homestay unit has been created by repurposing three of the bookshop's original sections. Meanwhile, sections one and two remain unchanged for customers looking to purchase books as before.
The homestay unit is approximately 15 square metres and features a mezzanine level. It has an en-suite bathroom, refrigerator, washing machine, and Wi-Fi. Two double beds are neatly arranged amidst bookshelves filled with carefully curated titles.
Tens of thousands of books line the shelves within the homestay, creating an atmosphere exclusively for book lovers. Televisions have been deliberately excluded, as the owner hopes guests fully immerse themselves in the reading experience.
A section of the mezzanine has been designated for an en-suite bathroom, a compact kitchen, and a washing machine to ensure a comfortable stay.
Ngoc Anh believes that converting part of the bookshop into a book-themed homestay is a way to preserve the legacy her mother built over the decades. The homestay welcomes both domestic and international guests. To enhance the experience, the owner plans to expand the selection of books available in foreign languages. The accommodation is priced from VND 1.1 million per night.
