The Blue Dragon Book Fair is one of those events that’s quietly become a little tradition for our family each year. As the weather cools and we start thinking about hunkering down with good books for the winter, this book fair always delivers – tables packed with secondhand gems, all for a good cause.
Now in its 14th year, the fair will once again be held at the Ngaio Town Hall over the weekend of 17–18 May. All proceeds go directly to the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation in Hanoi, which supports young people through education, vocational training, and programmes that help prevent child trafficking.
Top tip: bring a sturdy bag (or two) – you’ll almost definitely leave with more books than you planned. And don’t be shy about coming back on both days – the tables are restocked regularly, so there’s always something new to discover.
It’s a great chance to pick up something new to read, clear some space on your own shelf (they’re always looking for donations), and be part of something that has a real impact. Make a morning of it with a walk down to the hall, a stop at Dough Bakery for a coffee, hot chocolate, or pick up one of their fab loaves, and then a good browse of books – you never know what you’ll find.