What it is
Duong Sach Nguyen Van Binh — Book Street — is a short, pedestrian-only lane in the middle of District 1, Saigon. It runs about 200 metres between Hai Ba Trung and the rear wall of the Notre-Dame Cathedral, flanked by around two dozen bookstalls, a handful of coffee stands, and a few small event stages. The city government converted the street in 2016, and it has quietly become one of the more pleasant spots in central Saigon to spend an hour without spending much money.
Before its current life, Nguyen Van Binh was just another narrow one-way street choked with parked motorbikes. The makeover turned it into a rare bit of car-free space downtown — benches, shade trees, tiled walkway, and actual room to sit without dodging traffic.
Why travelers go
Book Street is not a major attraction in the way that Ben Thanh Market or the Cu Chi Tunnels are. Nobody flies to Vietnam (베트남 / 越南 / ベトナム) for it. But it sits right next to the Central Post Office and Notre-Dame Cathedral, so you're probably walking past it anyway. The real draw is the atmosphere: it's one of the few places in District 1 where you can sit outside with a drink and read without horns blaring two metres from your ear.
For visitors who read Vietnamese — or want to start — the bookstalls sell everything from modern fiction to old Saigon (사이공 / 西贡 / サイゴン) photo books. Even if you don't read the language, the illustrated and photography titles are worth flipping through. Several stalls now stock English-language books on Vietnamese history, food, and culture.
Best time to visit
Saigon's dry season runs roughly November through April. Book Street is outdoors with limited cover, so a visit during a monsoon downpour in July or August means you'll be sheltering under a stall awning with everyone else. That said, rainy-season showers tend to be short and dramatic — wait 30 minutes and the street dries out fast.
Weekday mornings are the quietest. Weekends — especially Saturday afternoons — bring more foot traffic and occasional events: poetry readings, book signings, small music performances. If you want the lively version, come Saturday after 3 PM. If you want peace, come Tuesday at 9 AM.
The street is open daily, roughly 8 AM to 10 PM. Individual stalls keep their own hours, but most are set up by 9 AM.
Photo by Nguyễn Vũ on Pexels
How to get there
Book Street is in the heart of District 1, about 300 metres from Ben Thanh Market. From anywhere in central Saigon, a Grab bike ride will cost 15,000–30,000 VND. From Tan Son Nhat Airport, expect 130,000–180,000 VND by Grab car (roughly 30–50 minutes depending on traffic — Saigon traffic being what it is).
If you're already walking around the Notre-Dame Cathedral or the Central Post Office, just head to the street directly behind them — you'll see the pedestrian bollards and bookstalls.
What to do
Browse the bookstalls
There are around 20 stalls, each with a slightly different focus. A few specialise in children's books, others in Vietnamese literary fiction, and at least two carry bilingual or English-language titles. Prices are generally cover price — no haggling here. A Vietnamese paperback runs 80,000–150,000 VND. Coffee-table photo books about old Saigon go for 200,000–400,000 VND and make genuinely good souvenirs.
Drink coffee on the street
Two or three small cafes operate directly on the pedestrian strip. Order a "ca phe sua da" (iced milk coffee) for 25,000–35,000 VND and sit on the benches. It's one of the cheaper places to have vietnamese coffee in District 1 without paying tourist-café markup. The Trung Nguyen Legend cafe at the north end of the street is the most polished option, with beans from the Central Highlands (중부 고원 / 中部高原 / 中部高原) and indoor seating.
Catch a weekend event
Saturday and Sunday afternoons often feature small-scale events — a local author reading, a calligraphy demonstration, or a kids' storytelling session. These are mostly in Vietnamese, but calligraphy demos are visual enough to enjoy regardless. Check the Duong Sach Facebook page for upcoming schedules.
Photograph the street
The tiled walkway, mature trees, and cathedral backdrop make Book Street one of the better spots in District 1 for photos that don't look like they were taken in a traffic jam. Early morning light (before 8 AM) is best if you want the street mostly empty.
Walk to the surrounding landmarks
From the north end of Book Street, you're a two-minute walk from the Central Post Office and Notre-Dame Cathedral. Head south and you hit Hai Ba Trung, which leads to the Reunification Palace in about ten minutes on foot. This cluster of sights is compact enough to cover in a single morning.
Where to eat nearby
Com tam
District 1 is full of "com tam" (broken rice) spots. Com Tam Ba Ghien on Dang Van Ngu, about a 10-minute walk south, is a reliable pick — a plate with grilled pork chop, egg cake, and fish sauce runs 45,000–55,000 VND. It's a proper Saigon lunch.
Banh mi
For a faster bite, "banh mi (반미 / 越式法包 / バインミー)" carts are everywhere along Hai Ba Trung. A filled baguette costs 20,000–35,000 VND. Banh Mi Huynh Hoa on Le Thi Rieng (about 15 minutes on foot) is the famous one — expect a queue, oversized sandwiches, and a bill around 55,000 VND.
Photo by Nguyễn Trường on Pexels
Where to stay
Book Street sits in the priciest hotel zone in Saigon. Within a five-minute walk:
- Budget: Dorm beds in backpacker hostels along Bui Vien and De Tham (a 10-minute walk) start around 180,000–250,000 VND/night.
- Mid-range: Boutique hotels on Ly Tu Trong or Hai Ba Trung run 800,000–1,500,000 VND/night for a clean double with breakfast.
- High-end: The Caravelle and Continental hotels are literally across the street, starting north of 3,000,000 VND/night.
Practical tips
- Bring cash. Most bookstalls don't take cards. ATMs are plentiful on Hai Ba Trung if you need to withdraw.
- Sunscreen or a hat. The canopy cover is decent but patchy. Midday sun in Saigon is no joke, especially March through May.
- Combine it. Book Street on its own is a 30–60 minute stop. Pair it with the Post Office, cathedral, and a walk to the Reunification Palace for a full morning.
- Language barrier is low. Stall vendors are used to foreign visitors pointing at books. Prices are printed on covers.
Common mistakes
- Treating it as a half-day destination. It's a short street. If you block out three hours specifically for Book Street, you'll be done in 45 minutes and wondering what to do next. Plan it as one stop in a walking route.
- Skipping it because you don't read Vietnamese. The photo books, the coffee, and the atmosphere are the real point. You don't need to read a word.
- Coming at noon. The street faces roughly north-south and gets full sun midday. Late afternoon is more comfortable and has better light.
- Ignoring the side cafes. Some visitors walk the stalls, see books they can't read, and leave. Sit down, order an iced coffee, and actually stay for a bit. That's when the street starts to make sense.
Last updated · May 28, 2026 · independently researched, never sponsored.
