In downtown Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s largest bookstore yet, Hai An, has opened its doors.  

Spanning five stories, the store features contemporary design with an ocean-inspired concept including an art installation in an atrium. 

The store’s facade features a large plain concrete wall with erratic embossed lines. 

Inside, the store features a large open space with an oculus, allowing natural light into the space. Giant walls are painted as an “ocean floor”, suggesting visitors are entering an “ocean of knowledge”. 

The first floor houses a wide selection of more than 1000 books ranging from science, literary, fiction, to non-fiction books, while the second floor offers comic range and stationeries. The third floor is dedicated to art and architecture. 

The fourth floor is an exhibition area, displaying random items without following any central theme for now. 

The top floor, still under construction, will house an open cafe area where people will be able to relax and read books.