This Week in Saigon: Best Events 26 January - 1 February
PRE-TET JITTERS
Gearing up for the long holiday? Hit up these events to get ready with gifts and giving.
Greasy Li Xi: Pre-Tet Charity Drive with Soul by Audium
Soul Burger, 4 Phan Boi Chau Street, D1
26 January | 6:00pm - 10:00pm | FREE
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Tet isn’t just about pretty flowers and delicious food. It’s also about giving back to others. Head down to Soul Burger for the Pre-Tet Holiday Charity Drive that supports poor seniors at Chùa Lâm Quang Pagoda in District 8. Get a free Rooster Beers and a ticket in the lucky draw with any donation, including anything from the list of acceptable non-cash donations. If you decide to donate cash, Ben Mawdsley and Audium will match it to buy essentials and gifts as well. Get an extra lucky draw ticket for any cash donation over VND100,000, plus an extra ticket per person for a table of 5 people or more. All night, there will be specials of VND30,000 Tiger draft and VND70,000 shots. Dance the night away to music by two of Saigon’s most generous DJs. Everyone can support a party with a great cause.
Image source: facebook.com/soulburgersaigon
Tet Market
Schiller Saigon, 30 Duong So 10, Thu Duc District
27 January | 3:00pm - 11:00pm | FREE
Facebook
Just 20 minutes from District 2, Schiller Saigon is a welcomed escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Meander along the Saigon River through stalls of the Tet Market with handmade goods, eco-friendly items, the latest fashion trends, and second-hand wares. Or perhaps you’d like to make your own pizza from scratch with fresh ingredients and baked in their new outdoor oven. Partake in the sunset movement workshop hosted by Ilse Zoerb, then stay for the live music by psychedelic duo Lucy in the Sky - LSD (& friends). With free entry, this event makes for a great start to a relaxing Tet holiday!
Image source: facebook.com/schillersaigon
MIND, BODY, AND BELLY
Time to amp it up with those resolutions -- or let them go completely! These events are all about trying something new.
The Board Game Exchange
The Language Exchange Coffee House, 399/43/5 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, D3
1 February | 7:00pm | FREE
Facebook; +84 90 972 4314
Want to meet new people and practice English skills? There’s no better way to do it it than over friendly board games! Every Friday and Sunday evening, the Language Exchange Coffee House welcomes friends of all cultures and proficiency levels to practice English while playing games such as Carcassonne, Inhuman Conditions, Blokus, Splendor and many more. They promise that regardless of your language level, the games are easy to learn and a great way to make new friends. Families and friends of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to join the fun!
Image source: facebook.com/LanguageExchangeCoffeeHouse
Cook & Chill - First Class
Cook & Chill, 102 Vo Thi Sau, D1
27 January | 8:30am - 12:00pm | VND890,000
Facebook
Want to learn how to cook your Vietnamese food faves? Cook & Chill is a Vietnamese cooking class taught in English for everyone, especially foreigners, who want to know more about Vietnamese traditional dishes. Each class includes hands-on instruction, a choice of 3 beers, orange juice, or mineral water, a souvenir, and some recipes to take home. The first topic is a Saigon staple - Bánh Mì! Learn to make everyone’s favorite grab and go snack with 2 fillings and 2 sauces. Cook & Chill has made the class accessible to almost everyone; they even have vegan options! Feel free to message the friendly staff on the page for more information. Click here to register your spot.
Image source: facebook.com/Cook-Chill
Marrenon Wine Dinner
Stoker Woodfired Grill & Bar, 44 Mac Thi Buoi, D1
28 January | 7:00pm - 10:00pm | VND1,500,000
Facebook; +84 93 486 7221; +84 90 729 2725; info@stokerwoodfiredgrill.com
Wine lovers of Saigon, you don’t want to miss this! Stoker Woodfired Grill & Bar is hosting special guest Robert Oustric, the Export Director for Marrenon Wines, direct from the Rhone region of France. Voted the best shiraz in the world in its class, patrons will have the pleasure of tasting their celebrated Gardarem 2015. Stoker chef, George Bloomfield, will prepare a specially curated 5-course menu to perfectly compliment the flagship Marrenon Wines. To preview the menu for the evening, please check out the Facebook event page. Reservations are required by phone or email.
Image source: facebook.com/stokerwoodfiredgrill
Network Girls Breakfast
Latest Recipe, Le Meridien Saigon Hotel, 3C Ton Duc Thang Street, D1
31 January | 7:30am - 9:00am | VND250,000
Facebook | networkgirlshcmc@gmail.com
The Network Girls invites local and expat female professionals in Saigon to attend their first breakfast event of 2019. Meet the ladies at Latest Recipe in Le Meridien Saigon Hotel for a networking event over a scrumptious buffet breakfast. The Network Girls boasts a contact list of over 700 professionals in Saigon, including executives of large international and Vietnamese companies, making this a fantastic opportunity to mingle with the most influential women in the city. While membership or fees are not required to attend, a reservation by email is required by Tuesday, 29 January. Please note that if once you have a confirmed reservation, payment is mandatory, even in the event of a no-show.
Image source: facebook.com/networkgirlshcmc
Wellness Retreat: Recharge, Relax & Restore
Yoga Pod, 28 Thao Dien Street, D2
26 January | 8:00am - 6:30pm | VND1,500,000
Facebook
Let’s be honest. Most of us make New Years’ resolutions only to break them pretty quickly. However, you can renew those vows or get some support to stick with them at the Wellness Retreat hosted by Yoga Pod,La Holista, and The Hive Saigon. Start the morning with a relaxing yoga and meditation session by the knowledgeable Yoga Pod instructors. Afterwards, enjoy a delicious and nutritious breakfast prepared by La Holista. During the first break, mingle with the other patrons or take a cooling dip in the pool at The Hive Villa. Next, enjoy a 3-course lunch to energise yourself for an expressive painting workshop by Paint & Wine in Saigon. Take a stretch break with a group mindfulness walk, then complete your restorative day with a relaxing evening yoga and meditation session. Walk away from the day retreat with new strategies and a recharged soul.
Image source: facebook.com/thehivevilla
MORE FUN STUFF
Pools and parties - shake your groove thing at these events around HCMC.
Australia Day BBQ Pool Party
Hotel Equatorial Ho Chi Minh City, 242 Tran Binh Trong, D5
26 January | 11:00am - 5:00pm | VND595,000 - Adult/VND195,00 - child presale; VND685,00 - Adult/VND225,000 - child at door
Facebook
The only proper way to celebrate Australia Day is with a pool party and a BBQ! Hotel Equatorial HCMC is throwing a shindig in grand fashion on their rooftop swimming pool and kiddie pool. In Australia, everything is bigger so you better bring an Aussie-sized appetite to this one. Tickets include an all-you-can-eat BBQ and free flow drinks. Expect a bountiful spread of appetizers, grilled seafood,meat and ice cream! Wash it all down with your choice of house wine, Tiger beer or soft drinks. After you’ve had your fill, cool off in the glittering pools until sunset.
Image source: facebook.com/hotelequatorialhcmc
Fridays Drag Show Night
Republic, 274 De Tham, D1
1 February | 11:00pm | FREE with drink purchase
Facebook
The Drag scene in Saigon is heating up and the queens at Republic are making a name in the city! Expect drama, glitter, dance, and music swirl together in unparalleled performances. Get ready to gag at the eleganza of these local drag queens! The show starts around 11pm, but get in early to get a good perch because this place is gonna fill up real quick. Republic may be known as one of the few gay clubs in Saigon but feel free to party since the staff welcomes anyone with an open mind. Stick around after the show to dance until closing all night long!
Image source: facebook.com/republicvn
Hilton and Popp - Live Folk and Country Blues
Malt South, 35 Nguyen Luong Bang, D7
31 January | 7:30pm - 9:30pm | FREE
Facebook
Saigon has a bit to offer everyone, and that’s no exception for our country music loving folks. Malt South is proud to host Australian songwriter-guitarist Mark Hilton and guitarist Paul Popp for a folk and country blues hoedown. Whether heart-wrenching ballads or foot-tapping tunes, these two are sure to get the party rocking. Enjoy some yummy bar food and a wide array of craft beers in Malt South’s rustic atmosphere. For a preview of what’s in store, check out Mark Hilton’s music at his website.
Image source: facebook.com/maltsouth
Banner Image source: citypassguide.com