Saigon weekend: What to do and where to go

By Phuc Trinh May 11, 2023 | 11:09 pm PT

Ho Chi Minh City is buzzing with weekend entertainment options, from art exhibitions and film screenings to a symphonic jazz concert and cookie decorating.

European film festival

The 22nd European Film Festival (EUFF) will be held in Vietnam from May 19 to June 4, 2023, in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hue.

The festival will showcase nearly 20 contemporary European cinema works, with a focus on the theme of journeys, featuring a diverse range of characters who explore their identity, community, and heritage through travel.

The festival is organized by the EU Delegation to Vietnam, in cooperation with EU Member States' embassies and cultural institutions, the Embassy of Ukraine in Vietnam, and with support from the EU Policy and Outreach Partnership initiative.

"European film festival 2023". Photo courtesy of European Union in Vietnam

Tickets are available for free at the Goethe Institute HCMC, 18 Street Number 1, Do Thanh apartment building, District 3, and Cinestar Quoc Thanh Cinema, 271 Nguyen Trai Street, District 1. The movies are shown at Cinestar Quoc Thanh Cinema.

French movie "Microcosmos"

French Cinema Rendez-vous is a 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.

The film "Microcosmos" is about the Earth seen on a minute scale, and explores the life of outlandish creatures, insects, and other grass and water animals. It is set in an ordinary meadow and follows the life of these creatures over the course of a summer day, a night, and a second dawn.

A single day in this world is like a season, and the movie follows the life of an insect whose lifespan can be counted in weeks, which feels like a decade.

"Microcosmos" poster. Photo courtesy of French Cinema Rendez-vous

"Microcosmos" will be shown at DCiné Cinema, 6 Mac Dinh Chi Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, on May 13 at 7 p.m. The price of a ticket is VND60,000 (US$2.56) per person.

Exhibition "Women and Life"

Artist agency 11:11 d'Artistes presents its latest exhibition "Women and Life" featuring six notable women artists from France, who are participating in the residency program in Ho Chi Minh City.

Their work reflects their experiences and perspectives on the cultural and social aspects of the Far East and the Western world, with a focus on women and life.

"Women and Life". Photo courtesy of 11:11 d'Artistes

The exhibition is at 11:11 Espace, on the 7th floor of the Amanaki Building at 10 Nguyen Dang Giai Street, Thao Dien District, Thu Duc City. It is open to the public from May 13 to July 15, from 9 a.m to 6 p.m, every day of the week.

Cookie decorating: Happy Mother's Day

Get creative with pre-baked butter cookies scented and decorate them with safe, food coloring sugar bags for a special Mother's Day DIY workshop. The team will guide you through the process of drawing your own cakes.

Each registration includes nine pre-baked butter cookies in flower or leaf shapes, sugar colored bags, cake decorating tools, a beautiful box for take-out cakes, and a complimentary drink.

"Cookie decorating: Happy Mother’s Day" poster. Photo courtesy of Daisy’s Corner

Registration starts at VND270,000 ($11.50) per person. The workshop will be held on May 14 from 9 a.m to noon at The Hive, 26 Huynh Khuong Ninh St., Da Kao Ward, District 1.

The Dreamers' Symphony Concert

The upcoming concert "The Dreamers' Symphony" features 15 songs from the Oscar-winning movie "La La Land." The 2016 musical film explores themes of love, passion, and the sacrifices to achieve life goals, all set to a nostalgic and enchanting soundtrack of original songs and classic jazz tunes.

The Imagine Philharmonic Orchestra and the jazz band KOTORI Trio will bring the magic of the movie to life with their stunning performance under a starry sky created by spectacular stage effects.

"The Dreamers' Symphony". Photo courtesy of Imagine Philharmonic Orchestra

The Dreamers' Symphony will be held at the VOH Music One Theater, 37 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St., Da Kao Ward, District 1, at 7:30 p.m on May 12, 13, and 14. Prices start from VND440,000 per person.

"Exposed Virtual Anonymity" exhibition

The digital art exhibition EVA (Exposed Virtual Anonymity) aims to explore the complex relationship between human real and virtual identities, while raising concerns about safety and privacy in the online space.

The exhibition features 10 multi-material works by young Vietnamese artists that delve into the concept of the virtual world and the safety of personal data. Through different perspectives, EVA hopes to inspire discussions and observations about this pressing issue.