Saigon weekend: What to do and where to go

By Phuc Trinh April 28, 2023 | 02:30 am PT

Saigon is celebrating a long holiday weekend with a variety of events and activities. Whether you are looking for art, music, food, or fireworks, you will find something to enjoy in the city.

"A Dragon's Home" exhibition

The French Institute of Vietnam and 11:11 d'Artistes present "A Dragon's Home," an exhibition by Sébastien Duranté, a French artist who explores the fantastic figure of the dragon in different cultures.

The exhibition features an installation of bamboo, dragons and other animals, created between Hanoi and Saigon. The exhibition offers a colorful and festive universe, while raising awareness of our relationship with the animal world.

The poster for "A Dragon’s Home." Photo courtesy of Amanaki Thao Dien Hotel

The exhibition will run from April 26 to May 7 at Amanaki Thao Dien, 10 Nguyen Dang Giai St., Thao Dien Ward, Thu Duc City. Entrance is free.

"PORTAL" exhibition

"PORTAL" is an exhibition by Saeko Ando, a Japanese artist who specializes in Vietnamese Son Mai lacquer art. The exhibition will showcase a large collection of Ando's lacquer artworks on acrylic, which reflect her passion for nature.

The exhibition shows many of Saeko Ando’s lacquer artworks on acrylic for the first time. Photo courtesy of Tongla Art

Saeko Ando has been living and working in Vietnam since 1995. She learned Son Mai - Vietnam's traditional lacquer art - from local masters and became the first foreign member of the Hanoi Art Association in 2000. She has exhibited her works in various countries, such as Japan, Taiwan, Germany, Myanmar, and the U.K.

The exhibition will run from April 23 to May 2 at De la Sól - Sun Life Flagship, 244 Pasteur St., District 3. Entrance is free.

Dinner buffet

Café Cardinal, a luxury dining destination in Ho Chi Minh City, offers a Vietnamese-themed dinner buffet on April 30 to mark the Reunification Day holiday. The buffet will feature a variety of dishes made with fresh seafood, Vietnamese specialties, cheese, and more. You can also enjoy free-flowing Prosecco and other drinks, as well as a stunning view of the fireworks show.

"Reverie Reunification Revelry" poster. Photo courtesy of Café Cardinal

The event will take place at Café Cardinal, Level 6, 22-36 Nguyen Hue Boulevard & 57-69F Dong Khoi Street, District 1. The dinner buffet costs VND1,988,000 ($84.75) per person including free-flowing Prosecco, water, soft drinks, tea, and coffee. It starts from 6 p.m. Children aged 6 to 11 years old get a 50% discount, while those below 6 dine free.

Dinner and special performances on Reunification Day

ROS - Yacht Club, a luxury dining destination in District 1, offers an exclusive culinary and musical event called Reunited Rhythms this holiday. The Six Hands Dinner is a collaboration of three talented chefs: Alex Nguyen Haugaard, a Michelin star chef, Chef Vince Huynh, who led the team that received the prestigious World 50 Best Restaurant MENA's Award 2022, and ROS's Chef Hung Ho.

The event will also feature a live DJ and Gatsby-themed performance. You can also enjoy the panoramic views of the Saigon River and the fireworks display from ROS - Yacht Club.

The "Reunited Rhythms" poster. Photo courtesy of ROS - Yacht Club

The event will take place on April 30 and May 1, at ROS - Yacht Club, Bach Dang Wharf, 10B Ton Duc Thang St., Ben Nghe Ward, District 1. The set menu costs VND1,900,000 ($80.99) per person.

Paint with the stars

11:11 Espace is a creative space that invites you to join a night of art and music with four French artists and musicians on April 29. The event, called "Paint with the Stars," features three artists and one violinist from France, each with a unique style. They will share experiences and stories that have inspired their artistic path. Visitors can also participate in painting with artists and music exchanges with the violinists.