Saigon weekend: romantic dining, blues dancing, and afternoon tea delights

Guided walking tour "Saigon hidden stories"

"Saigon Hidden Stories" invites participants on a half-day walking tour to explore the lesser-known spots of Saigon, where Vietnamese, French, Chinese, and Indian cultures intersect. Starting from a small family food stall, the tour winds through different parts of Saigon, concluding at Ben Thanh Market.

"Saigon hidden stories" poster. Photo courtesy of Echoing Trip

The cost is VND1 million ($40) per person, including an English-speaking guide and food. Children aged 5 and above pay the same fee as adults, while those under 5 join for free. For safety reasons, the tour is not recommended for children under 3 years old.

Scheduled for Feb. 17 at 8 a.m., attendees will receive trip details upon purchase. Interested individuals can sign up through the provided link.

Dining event "Savor romance beneath the stars"

The restaurant SORAE hosts a weekly event every Saturday night aimed at providing couples with a romantic dining experience. The establishment transforms into a romantically adorned dining space, accompanied by a live violin performance.

A couple's set menu is priced at VND2,500,000 ($102) for two guests, featuring different dishes such as oyster shooters, seaweed salad, sashimi, grilled boneless chicken, and black angus beef udon.

The event runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. at SORAE, situated on Level 51 of the Bitexco Financial Tower at 36 Ho Tung Mau Street, District 1.

Blues dancing session "Afternoon Blues"

The "Afternoon Blues" session invites attendees to explore blues dance while learning about blues music and trying basic dance moves. It's tailored for jazz blues and Lindy Hop enthusiasts keen on delving into the world of blues dance.

Participants are guided to discover the basics of blues dancing. Photo courtesy of Saigon Swing Cats

Tickets can be purchased at the door for VND80,000 per person, and registration is available through the provided link. The session will take place on Feb. 18, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at MAYBAY-Cafe & Rooftop Bar, located at 12/67 Nguyen Huu Canh Street, Binh Thanh District.

Contact improv jam session

A contact improv jam session offers participants an opportunity to engage in contact improvisation, a dance form focused on exploring movement through physical contact and spontaneous interaction. Participants move fluidly without set choreography, and use touch and improvisation to create expressive dances together.

Participants dance together without set choreography. Photo courtesy of Vietnam Contact Improv

The participation fee is VND200,000 ($8) per person, and the event will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Feb. 18. Interested attendees can register through the link. The location is Room 401, Block A, 4th floor of the Screc apartment, 947A Hoang Sa Street, District 3.

Tet afternoon tea

The hotel InterContinental Saigon presentes a Tet afternoon tea set, available until the end of March. The tea menu highlights include themed red firecrackers, lucky Hongbaos, mandarins, and various sweet and savory desserts. Many of these offerings incorporate springtime ingredients such as mandarins, coconut, pineapple, and more.

InterContinental Saigon's afternoon tea treats are decorated and inspired by the Tet theme. Photo courtesy of Intercontinental Saigon

Priced at VND788,000 ($32) per set, inclusive of two tea or coffee servings, it is served at The Library, within InterContinental Saigon, located at the corner of Hai Ba Trung Street & Le Duan Boulevard, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.