Saigon weekend: What to do and where to go

Cafe Show

The Vietnam International Cafe Show 2023 takes place from April 13-15 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC). The show will feature about 400 booths from 15 countries, showcasing products and services for the coffee and food and beverage industry. It also offers you a chance to listen to coffee experts and connect with potential business partners.

The show will host two competitions recognized by the World Coffee Event (WCE), a part of the Specialty Coffee Association. The champions of the Vietnam National Barista Championship (VNBC) and Vietnam National Latte Art Championship (VNLC) will be selected and represent Vietnam at the World Coffee Championship 2024.

The Vietnam International Cafe Show features numerous brands in the food and beverage industry from 15 countries. Photo courtesy of Cafe Show Vietnam

The event takes place from from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) at 799 Nguyen Van Linh Street, District 7. Register here.

Krossing Over Arts Festival (Final Show)

Krossing Over Arts explores the connections between dance and other art forms such as music, poetry, visual arts, cinema, and beyond. It also features collaborations between local and international artists.

The festival's closing night, "Among a thousand stars," will feature various performances by different artists who have participated in the festival. The theme reflects the diversity and unity of the art community and the friendship between artists. The final performance, "Solar system," will bring all the artists together on stage for a new artistic project.

The poster for "Among a thousand stars". Photo courtesy of Krossing Over Arts Festival

The event will take place on April 15, 2023 at 8 p.m. at the Ho Chi Minh City Cultural House for Youth at 4 Pham Ngoc Thach St., Ben Nghe Ward, District 1. Prices start at VND300,000 ($12.80).

P'ti Special Guest Shift Night

This drinking event will feature Huy Ho, a brand ambassador of Mathieu Teisseire, a French company that produces syrups and liqueurs. You will get to savor tasty food that goes well with drinks. The event includes a free-flow of cocktails, wine and finger foods. You will also be entertained by live DJ music.

You can enjoy unlimited drinks while dancing to some upbeat tunes. Photo courtesy of P'ti Saigon

The event will take place from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on April 14, 2023, at 52 Ngo Quang Huy St., Thao Dien Ward, District 2. The price is VND750,000 ($31.99) per person.

Eat Out with Marriott Bonvoy

If you are a Marriott Bonvoy member, you can take advantage of the exclusive offers for lunch and dinner at 20 restaurants under the brand all over Vietnam. In HCMC, you can enjoy 50 delicious dishes from the All-you-can-eat Platinum menu, including half a lobster at the Cantonese Kabin Restaurant, Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon, for VND750,000 ($32).

The Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon also offers two special deals for Marriott Bonvoy members. You can enjoy a steak and a glass of red wine for VND750,000 for both lunch and dinner, or a seafood buffet dinner with free-flowing drinks and a bottle of red wine for VND1,450,000 ($61.85) at Viet Kitchen Restaurant. The Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Tower's Saigon Café also offers an international buffet lunch and dinner every day. Lunch is VND750,000 per person, and dinner VND1,450,000 per person, including free-flowing wine, beer, soft drinks, coffee, and tea.

This two-month celebration will showcase the best food from Marriott hotels and resorts in Vietnam. Photo courtesy of JW Marriott Hanoi

The event takes place from now until June 30, at Le Méridien Saigon, Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon, Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Tower, and Oriental Pearl in Landmark 81. Lunch is available every Monday to Sunday from noon to 2:30 p.m.. Dinner is available every Monday to Sunday from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Chamber music concert

If you love classical music, you might want to attend the chamber music concert this weekend in Saigon, hosted by the Ho Chi Minh City Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera (HBSO). The concert will present some of the best works of chamber music by composers such as Rossini, Brahms, and Bach. You will also enjoy performances by talented HBSO artists and a special guest pianist from South Korea, Ju Sun Young, who has a broad experience performing in the United States and internationally.

South Korean pianist Ju Sun Young will be a guest performer at the concert. Photo courtesy of Ho Chi Minh City Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera

The concert will be held at 8 p.m. on April 16, 2023, at the HCMC Opera House, 7 Lam Son Square, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1. Tickets start at VND400,000 ($17.06) per person.