Hanoi's weekend of festive fun with holiday markets, community events

Village Fair in Town Vol.1 – 'Christmas Village'

"Christmas Village" has over 50 Christmas stalls selling fashion, decor, perfume, and handmade items and activities such as balloon darts, photo booths and lucky draws.

"Christmas Village" poster. Photo courtesy of Village in Town

The event kicks off from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Dec. 9 and continues from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Dec. 10 at 214 Nguyen Xien Street, Thanh Xuan District. Admission is free.

Korean Gastronomy Week

As part of a Korean Gastronomy Week, the InterContinental Hanoi Landmark72 is hosting a kimchi (fermented pickles) making class and hangwa (Korean sweets) workshop.

The class will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 8 at the hotel's 3 Spoons restaurant. Participants will learn how to make dry persimmon bossam kimchi and suyuk - boiled pork, and enjoy a post-class lunch buffet. It costs VND890,000 (US$36) per guest.

In the hangwa workshop, participants will be guided through the creation of yaksik, a sweet rice cake made from steaming glutinous rice with sweet ingredients such as honey, brown sugar, nuts, and dry fruits. The workshop is at 2-3 p.m. on Dec. 9 at The Hive Lounge in the hotel. There will be afternoon tea for attendees later. The cost is VND590,000 ($24).

InterContinental Hanoi Landmark72 is situated at Keangnam Hanoi Landmark Tower in Tu Liem District.

The Beatles night - John Lennon tribute show

In an annual tradition, Polygon Musik commemorates The Beatles and pays tribute to John Lennon on his 43rd death anniversary. The event offers an opportunity for like-minded souls to sing familiar songs and remember Lennon.

"The Beatles night". Photo courtesy of Polygon Musik

It will feature 40 songs and serve as a social gathering for music lovers. Attendees can avail an early bird coupon priced at VND200,000 ($8.20) at this link, which includes access to the event and a complimentary drink.

The event is at 8:45 p.m. on Dec. 8 at Polygon Musik, No. 29, Alley 31, Lane 167 Tay Son, Dong Da District.

Community market

MUJI, the Japanese retail brand, is set to host a community market in Hanoi this weekend. The market is a short-term initiative with MUJI inviting small businesses to showcase and sell their products at its stores without any fees.

Some of the brands that will take part in MUJI's community market. Photo courtesy of MUJI Vietnam

The main aim of the event in Hanoi is to foster connections within the community by introducing local products to customers and supporting the growth of small local businesses. Five local brands, Skilful Hands, Co ca chua - Miss Tomato, Cham Craft, NOTH Garden, and Zo Project, will take part in the event.

The event will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily from Dec. 8 to 10 at the MUJI Lotte Mall Tay Ho in Hanoi. The location is on the first floor of Lotte Mall West Lake, Vo Chi Cong Street, Tay Ho District.

French movie ‘Lemmy contra Alphaville’ (Alphaville)

French cinema rendez-vous is a new weekly event introducing the richness and diversity of French cinema by screening a variety of very different films. Screenings are held by French Cinema Rendez-vous and Institut français de HCMV.

A poster for "Lemmy contra Alphaville". Photo courtesy of Galaxy Cinema

"Alphaville" is a French science fiction film directed by Jean-Luc Godard, one of the key figures in the French New Wave movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Set in a futuristic city, Alphaville, it follows a secret agent named Lemmy Caution as he investigates a mysterious and controlling computer system named Alpha 60.

"Alphaville" will be screened at 7 p.m. on Dec. 9 at Galaxy Cinema Mipec Long Bien, Mipec Long Bien Shopping Center, Long Bien District. Tickets cost VND75,000 ($3).