Saigon weekend: What to do and where to go

A night of Sergei Rachmaninov

In honor of Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninov's 150th birthday, the Ho Chi Minh City Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera (HBSO) will present a concert titled "A night of Sergei Rachmaninov." Rachmaninov is regarded as one of the greatest pianists of his time and one of the great Romantic composers in Russian classical music. "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini," a 1934 piano and orchestra work, will be performed during the event.

A poster of "A night of Sergei Rachmaninov" concert. Photo courtersy of Ho Chi Minh City Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera

The concert will begin at 8 p.m. on Sunday at Saigon Opera House, 7 Lam Son Square in District 1. Tickets are available at the venue, starting from VND400,000 (US$17.02).

Five Films for Freedom

In collaboration with BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival, Five Films for Freedom is an online celebration of LGBTQIA+ stories from across the world in favor of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual rights.

The program, now in its ninth year, will screen five short films with LGBTQIA+ themes and are available to stream online for free, over the 12 days of BFI Flare.

A poster of the "Five Films for Freedom" program. Photo courtesy of British Council

This year’s filmmakers are from Cyprus, the U.K., Guyana, Nigeria, Northern Ireland and South Korea.

Five Films for Freedom 2023 is live now until Sunday.

You can also watch the movies by checking the British Council website.

Walking through a Songline

"Walking through a Songline" is a pop-up digital experience based on part of the National Museum of Australia's internationally acclaimed exhibition "Songlines: Tracking the Seven Sisters." The event was produced by the National Museum in partnership with Mosster Studio. It is presented by the Australian Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City as part of events to celebrate the 50th year of bilateral relations between Australia and Vietnam.

The event highlights the tales, wisdom, and artistic brilliance of First Nations Australians, and teaches about Australia's First Nations culture. Visitors can make their way through a multi-sensory digital installation in which they can immerse themselves in ancient Aboriginal Australian knowledge communicated through new technology.

Light installation the "Walking through a Songline" exbibition. Photo courtesy of the Australian Embassy in Vietnam

The exhibition will be open for free to the public from March 17 to April 15 at the Factory Contemporary Arts Centre, 15 Nguyen U Di Street, Thao Dien Ward, Thu Duc City.

French movie "Bonjour le monde!" (Hello World!)

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.

A poster of "Bonjour le monde!". Photo courtesy of French Cinema Rendez-vous

"Hello World" is a nature-themed animated film highlighting the fauna and flora around us, as well as animal distinctions. The animals in this film think out loud, as they chat with nature and convey their dreams, wants, anxieties, and joys.

"Bonjour le monde!" will be shown at DCiné Cinema, 6 Mac Dinh Chi St., District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, on Saturday at 7 p.m. The price of a ticket is VND60,000 ($2.53) per person.

A night of Michelin Star

Chef Dan Bark from Cadence Restaurant in Bangkok (1 Michelin Star), will present his 8-course menu at Social Club Restaurant with an array of special dishes such as truffle toast, wagyu tartare, and Nespresso Iberico pork, all dishes paired with premium wines.

Dan's unique style of cuisine is a reflection of his memories and favorite flavors. With over 15 years of experience, he has worked in some of the world's finest Michelin-starred restaurants, including Avenues and Grace in Chicago.

The price is from VND3,500,000 ($148.97) per person, including wine pairing. The event starts at 6 p.m. on Saturday at Social Club Restaurant of Hotel des Arts Saigon, 76 - 78 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, District 3.