Saigon weekend: photography exhibitions and cocktail festival

Exhibition "Rome Expo 2030: Eternal Evolution"

The Consulate General of Italy in Ho Chi Minh City will host the photography exhibition titled "Rome Expo 2030: Eternal Evolution" this weekend.

This photographic exhibition offers a compelling journey through various aspects of Rome and serves as a means of supporting Rome's candidacy as a host city for EXPO 2030.

The exhibition will be open to the public from September 20 to 26, at Nam Thi House, situated at 152 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, District 1.

Exhibition "Flatland"

The "Flatland" exhibition is a result of Maxime Brygo's stay in Saigon in 2018. While there, Brygo explored the flatlands of southern Vietnam, crossed by the Mekong River. Coming from northern France, he found similarities with his homeland, which had also seen land reclamation from the sea.

"Flatland" exhibition poster. Photo courtesy of Institut français de HCMV

Inspired by Vietnamese folklore, Brygo studied the landscapes and aimed to bring its story and mystical essence into the present. The "Flatland" exhibition showcases a set of visual stories, where everyday places captured in photos take on a mysterious feel.

The exhibition will open on September 22 and run until October 22. It will be hosted at IDECAF at 31 Thai Van Lung Street, District 1. Admission to the exhibition is free.

Saigon cocktail festival 2023

The Saigon Cocktail Fest 2023 is set to take place this weekend at Saigon Outcast, offering a day filled with culinary and entertainment experiences.

A poster for Saigon cocktail festival 2023. Photo courtesy of Saigon Outcast

The event will feature an array of vendors offering a wide selection of cocktails, catering to both connoisseurs and those seeking to explore new flavors. This family-friendly event allows children and pets to attend but mandates adult supervision for their safety.

The Saigon Cocktail Fest 2023 will be held on September 23 from noon to 10 p.m., at Saigon Outcast, at 188/1 Nguyen Van Huong Street, Thao Dien Ward, District 2, with an entry fee of VND50,000 ($2).

French movie "The shiny shrimps"

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

"The shiny shrimps" movie poster. Photo courtesy of French Cinema Rendez-vous

"The Shiny Shrimps" is a French sports comedy film that follows the story of Matthias Le Goff, an Olympic swimming champion, who encounters consequences after making a homophobic comment during a televised interview.

In response, he is tasked with coaching a gay water polo team aspiring to participate in the Gay Games as a disciplinary measure. This transformative experience exposes Mathias to an unconventional world that challenges his preconceptions and prompts a reevaluation of his life's priorities.

"The Shiny Shrimps" will be shown on September 23 at 7 p.m., at DCiné Cinema, 6 Mac Dinh Chi Street, District 1. The price of a ticket is VND60,000 ($2.40) per person.

Negroni Week - a tribute to a bittersweet symphony

Ministry of Men in both Hanoi and Saigon cordially invites patrons to embark on an exploration of Negroni variations, celebrating the legacy of this iconic cocktail born in the streets of Florence, Italy.

In homage to the Negroni's storied history within mixology, Ministry of Men introduces a limited menu featuring three distinct creations: 'Via De Calzaiuoli,' 'Via Roma,' and 'Via de' Tornabuoni.' Each of these concoctions offers a reinterpretation of the Negroni.

The event is scheduled from September 18 to September 24, at Ministry of Men, on the 3rd floor of Sofitel Saigon Plaza, 17 Le Duan Street, District 1.