Food Festival opens in HCM City

50 leading hotels and restaurants in 25 countries and territories are taking part in the 7th Food Festival in Ho Chi Minh City from December 12-16.

Photo: VOV

The highlight of the festival will be famous chef Martin Yan’s “Yan Can Cook” demonstration of food preparation and introduction of unique international gastronomy.

In addition, 100 watermelon lanterns will be created by professional cooks for Vietnamese Guinness recognition.

Other activities include making Vietnamese dishes from cooked rice paper, preparing Korean food and serving drinks with the participation of five-star hotel chefs.

Visitors to the festival can also enjoy art performances, folk games, fashion shows, traditional and rock music, dance sport, aerobic and Thai Muay.

The annual event, jointly held by the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Tourism Association of the city, provides a good opportunity for the public to learn more about the cultural values of culinary arts from different nations, prestigious hotels in the world, restaurants and trustful addresses to serve foreign and local tourists in Vietnam.

Club presents ceremonial singing shows

The Ca Tru Ha Noi Club is featuring regular shows every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, offering people the chance to enjoy ca tru – an ancient genre of Vietnamese chamber music – and to learn about what was once an elite form of entertainment among intellectuals in Vietnamese society.

The unique genre was listed as Intangible Cultural Heritage in need of Urgent Safeguarding in 2009 by UNESCO.
The one-and-a-half hour show starts at 8pm at Bich Cau Dao Quan, 14 Cat Linh Street.

Hong Kong comedy brings laughs to Hanoians

Coming from a country with a strong and developed comedy circuit, China's Hong Kong Comedy Tour will once again have their audiences in Ha Noi in stitches when they return to the capital this week for their second bout of Ha Ha Ha Noi.

The first show will take place tomorrow at the House of Son Tinh, 31 Xuan Dieu St, Tay Ho District, from 8.30-10.30pm. A ticket costs VND100,000 with a free shot of Son Tinh Apricot liquor.

The Hong Kong Comedy Tour will also host a show on Saturday, at 9pm at CAMA ATK, 73A Mai Hac De Street. The CAMA Soundsystem will keep the party going after the show.

Puku hosts art and music event for charity

An art and music event raising funds for orphaned children and disadvantaged people living in Bo De Pagoda in Ha Noi will take place at Puku Cafe&Bar, 16 Tong Duy Tan Street, on Saturday, from 5-9pm.

Hosted by Projects Abroad Viet Nam, the event will features several activities including an artistic workshop, art auction, raffle and live music.

Currently there are more than 200 disabled children and nearly 40 homeless people living in the pagoda.

All proceeds will be used to upgrade the water filtration system, and to offer better medical supplies for sick children, as well as to maintain a long-term educational programme for the children.

The event will start from 5pm. There is no set fee, but a voluntary donation is expected for entrance.

Ha Noi Social Club holds songwriting challenge

The Ha Noi Social Club will host a song writing competition on Saturday at 6 Hoi Vu Street.

All are invited to submit their entries, which can be in any genre, from ballad to ditty to country. The rules are easy.
The competition's theme is "Life in Ha Noi", the song must feature the lyric "it happened again today" and must mention one of the following places: Tay Ho, Lotteria, Phuc Tan, Ciputra, Hoan Kiem, Red River, Hang Bong, Doi Can, Water Park, Fivimart, Truc Bach, Vincom or the Mausoleum.

All songs must be performed on the evening, either by the writer or a friend. The style of performance is flexible, with spoken word permitted and even metal spoon accompaniment allowed!

The event will take place from 8-11pm. Free beers will be offered to competitors and there will be fun prizes to be won.

Super Heroes unite at Park Hyatt Saigon

Park Hyatt Saigon's Martini Bar will host a super hero disguise party called Super Heroes Unite next Thursday.

Participants are asked to come to the party dressed as the super hero of their choice – Iron Man, Captain America, Wonder Woman Superman or others.

The best costume will win a Sunday brunch in Square One and a bottle of Magnum Champagne.

The heroes' night will begin at 5pm, and DJ D-ROC will perform from 9pm at 2 Lam Son Square, District 1.

Group plan Santa's suit stroll to mark Xmas

Wake Up Saigon, the group that creates events to "bring a little surrealism to daily life", will organise a walk around the HCM City in Santa's suit this Saturday to celebrate Christmas.

Participants dressed up as Santa Claus will gather at the September 23 Park in District 1 at 8pm.

At 9pm, Rudolph the reindeer and his sleigh will lead all the Santa Clauses in a parade through main city streets.

During the event, the Saigon Dodgeball Charity will sell jello shots to raise money for orphanages.

Seasons concert honours Trinh Cong Son

A concert called Goi Ten Bon Mua (Calling the Name of Four Seasons) focusing on compositions by the late Trinh Cong Son will be held at the Hoa Binh Theatre next Saturday.

Famous singers including Tuan Ngoc, Hong Nhung, My Linh and Tung Duong will perform at the show.

The concert will begin at 8pm at 14, 3 Thang 2 Street in District 10.

Tickets costing between VND500,000 and 3 million can booked by calling 0938002969 or 0906792663; or by logging on to www.vntiv.vn.

VNN/VOV/VNS