Saigon weekend: What to do and where to go

Sustainability Matters: Earth Day 2023

If you are looking for a way to celebrate Earth Day 2023 and learn more about sustainability, you can check out "Sustainability Matters: Earth Day 2023" at The Hive Villa Saigon.

The event is organized by The Hive Vietnam, a coworking space and community for entrepreneurs, together with various partners and sponsors who share the vision of a greener and healthier planet.

The poster for "Sustainability Matters: Earth Day 2023." Photo courtesy of The Hive Villa Saigon

The event aims to showcase and promote eco-friendly products and services, as well as raise awareness and inspire action on environmental issues.

It will feature an exhibition of recycled crafts and arts on sustainability, a booth where you can exchange used items for new ones, a workshop on upcycling, and a free test ride of electric bikes. You can also enjoy ethical and organic food vendors, and sustainable beauty and living stalls.

The event is free and will take place from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 22, at The Hive Villa Saigon at 29 Nguyen Ba Lan St., District 2.

Saigon Taco Festival 2023

The festival is an annual celebration of tacos and Mexican culture, featuring some of Saigon's best restaurants serving up delicious and creative tacos.

You can sample different kinds of tacos, from a variety of tacos restaurants in Saigon. In addition to awarding the top tacos in different categories, such as Best Chicken, Pork, Beef, and Overall Taco; the festival also offers other Mexican foods like nachos, burritos and barbecue.

The poster for "Saigon Taco Festival 2023." Photo courtesy of Saigon Outcast

The admission fee is VND50,000 ($2.13) per person, not including food and drink. The festival will take place from noon to 10 p.m. at Saigon Outcast at 188/1 Nguyen Van Huong St., District 2.

French movie Love Affair(s)

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.

If you are a fan of French cinema and romance, you might want to check out the screening of "Love Affair(s)," a 2020 drama film written and directed by Emmanuel Mouret.

The poster for "Love Affair(s)." Photo courtesy of DCINE Cinemas

The film follows the stories of Daphné and Maxime, two strangers who share their intimate secrets while waiting for Daphné's boyfriend François, Maxime's cousin, to return from Paris.

The film explores the complexities of love, desire, and fidelity through a series of flashbacks and twists. The film was nominated for 13 César Awards, the most of any eligible film in 2021.

Love Affair(s) will be shown at DCiné Cinema, 6 Mac Dinh Chi Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, on April 22 at 7 p.m. The price is VND60,000 ($2.53) per person. This film is only for those aged 16 or above.

Soma Spring Market

Soma Spring Market is a two-day event that showcases local art and crafts at Soma Saigon, a venue in Thao Dien. You can browse and buy a variety of handmade products, such as jewelry, ceramics, clothing, accessories, and more from talented vendors.

You can also enjoy live music, food and drinks, and a friendly atmosphere at Soma Saigon, a coffee shop by day and a bar by night, offering organic coffee and crafted cocktails.

"Soma Spring Market." Photo courtesy of Soma Saigon

The event will take place on April 22 and 23, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., at Soma Saigon, 6 Le Van Mien St., District 2. Entrance is free.

Piano Duets & Concertos

"Piano Duets & Concertos" is a classical music concert organized by Saigon Classical Music Group, a collective of classical music lovers and performers in Ho Chi Minh City.

The concert will feature piano duets and concertos by famous composers such as Mozart, Rachmaninoff, Saint-Saëns, Schumann, Debussy, Fauré, and Tchaikovsky. It will also showcase the talents of local pianists and singers.

"Piano Duets & Concertos" poster. Photo courtesy of Ho Chi Minh City Union of Literature and Arts Associations

The concert will take place on April 22, 2023, from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Arts and Literature Center, 1st Floor, 81 Tran Quoc Thao St., District 3.

There is no entrance fee, although the suggested donation for the entrance is VND120,000 (about $5). Children under 6 will not be admitted.