My Tam’s live show to be kicked off in January

Singer My Tam

Pop singer My Tam said she will organize her own live show titled “Green windows” on January 16 at Hoa Binh Theater, on the occasion of her birthday.

My Tam will perform several of her well-known hits and new songs. The show will be directed by Nguyen Quang Dung.

All the money from this concert will be donated to charity activity which will be planned to help underprivileged people in the southern and central provinces acorss over the country.

“Art for Hearts” paintings auction has raised over VND5 billion (US$230,500) to fund heart surgery for children nationwide.

More than 350 entrepreneurs attended the event in HCMC last week, which was organized by Ben Thanh Art & Frame, Galerie Nguyen, Soul Academy and the Heartbeat Vietnam program of the VinaCapital Foundation.

Artists from Ben Thanh Art & Frame and Galerie Nguyen created artworks right at the event. Guests had a chance to admire the whole process before bidding for their favorite pieces. The proceeds from the sale of nine unique paintings will go directly to the foundation to finance heart operations on 23 poor kids.

Robin King Austin, CEO/executive director of VinaCapital Foundation, said in a statement that she was thankful to have kind support from benefactors and partners of Ben Thanh Art & Frame, Gallerie Nguyen and Soul Academy to turn the unique event into reality to help poor kids recover from their illness.

According to the Association of Children Heart and Congenital Heart Disease in HCMC, 10,000 babies were born annually with heart diseases, and 50% of them need urgent treatments.

Satra submits Saigon Tax Trade Center conservation plan

Saigon Trading Group (Satra) has sent relevant agencies a conservation plan for the Saigon Tax Trade Center at the corner of Le Loi and Nguyen Hue boulevards in downtown HCMC.

The conservation plan will cover the exterior and interior of the trade center, according to the plan sent to the HCMC departments of planning-architecture, culture-sports, construction, planning-investment, natural resources-environment and transport, and the HCMC Architect Association.

Regarding conservation for the exterior, the first three floors of the six-storey building will be designed in line with the original architecture of the building. The ceiling of the third floor at the corner of Le Loi and Nguyen Hue boulevards will feature a dome with motifs of the former building of Grands Magasins Charner (GMC). The top three floors will be designed in a modern style but still in harmony with the lower floors.

Overall, a new building will go up on the location of Saigon Tax Trade Center but meet aesthetic and functional requirements and harmonize with the old buildings nearby such as the City Hall, the Rex Hotel, and the HCMC Opera House.

The conservation of the interior of the building, according to the plan, requires experience and specialist skills. Particularly, items for conservation are mainly located on the ground floor such as the main staircase inlaid with mosaic tiles with handrails, the balustrades, cockerel sculptures, the bronze sphere, the main lobby and the mosaic tiles at two entrances.

In the new building, the above items will stay where they are, entrances with mosaic tiles will be preserved, and the main staircase will be restored with balustrades, handrails and original decorative details.

Since 2014, Satra has collaborated with a lot of consultants in archeology and conservation to make assessments and decided to have the entire mosaic tiles dissected and reinstalled in the new structure. This method has been widely applied to the conservation of mosaic tiles.

Other items including handrails, bay leaves, bronze letters and leaves, the cockerel and the sphere will be restored and then installed back in the new building.

Satra will submit the conservation plan to the city government for approval after it gets comments from agencies. Satra will select capable and experienced contractors to carry out the project.

To implement the project, Satra has picked international firms. They include key designer Gensler and its international partners from the U.S., B+H Vietnam Architect headquartered in Canada, Thornton Tomasetti and Edgett Williams Consulting Group of the U.S., and WSP of the UK.

The center was inaugurated in 1924 under the name Grands Magasins Charner. Many construction companies were involved in building the commercial center owned by Société des Coloniale Grands Magasins (SCGM).

Initially, the center had three floors with two entrances at the corner of Nguyen Hue and Nguyen Hue-Le Loi boulevards today, and the floor next to the entrances were decorated with mosaic tiles. There were also a main staircase facing the entrance of Nguyen Hue Boulevard and a clock dome on the roof at the corner entrance.

After 1934, the GMC sign was added to the clock dome tower. In 1942, the building was renovated and built into a four-storey structure and the dome was lifted. In the early 1960s, the GMC was changed to Tax Trade Center.

After 1975, the entire building was managed by the HCMC People's Committee and used as the city’s store for children from 1978 to 1981 when it was renamed as HCMC General Department Store. The building was operated by the Saigon Retail Company under Satra since 1997 before being renamed as the Saigon Tax Trade Center in 1998.

Zippo teams up with local rocker for limited lighter version

Popular U.S. lighter manufacturer Zippo announced on December 15 that local rocker Pham Anh Khoa is the firm’s ambassador in Vietnam and that the rocker’s limited lighter version has been launched in the country.

The limited Zippo version is carved with the symbol PAK, the initials of the rocker’s name, in red and white colors to feature the image of a strong, reliable, independent and emotional gentleman.

David Warfel, Zippo director of global marketing, said at a meeting in HCMC’s District 1, “Khoa is the perfect man to represent us here in Vietnam. Since his debut album PAK Volume 1 took 2007 by storm, the soft-spoken man with the roaring voice has come to epitomize the spirit of a generation of the young Vietnamese.”

Zippo, through its local distributor Am Viet, seeks to grow its presence in fast growing Vietnam. The company announced that it had sold well over half a million lighters and countless other branded products since the product was marketed here in 1999.

Am Viet has a network of retailers throughout Vietnam, especially in HCMC, Hanoi, Danang and Hue.

Lan Song Xanh Music Awards honors V-Pop singers & musicians

The 18th Lan Song Xanh (Green Wave) Music Awards that aims at honoring the most success & great contributions of V-Pop singers and musicians during the year, was organized at Lan Anh Music Stage in Ho Chi Minh City on December 18.

Best singers receive the 18th Lan Song Xanh (Green Wave) Music Awards. (Photo: SGGP)

Crowded Vietnamese famous talent musicians and singers presented at the event such as Ho Ngoc Ha, Noo Phuoc Thinh, Dong Nhi, Tien Tien, Ai Phuong, Hoai Lam, Trung Quan Idol, Toc Tien, Duong Khac Linh, Phuong Uyen, Nguyen Hong Thuan, Hoang Touliver, Truc Nhan, Chau Dang Khoa, Son Tung M- TP…

To catch up with the current trends, the organization board decided to delete ‘Best album of the year’ category to replace two new categories such as ‘Best music plan of the year’ and ‘Phenomenon song of the year”.

As final result, the selection committee announced the winners of ‘Musician with hit songs” and “Best Music Plan of the year” titles were Tien Tien and Noo Phuoc Thinh respectively.

‘Top 10 Most Favorite Musician’ awards went to Nguyen Duy Anh, Do Hieu, Luu Thien Huong, Khac Hung, Chau Dang Khoa, Tien Tien, Nguyen Hong Thuan, Nguyen Phuc Thach (Mr. Siro), Vuong Quoc Tuan and Son Tung M- TP.

The winner of “The year’s phenomenon song” belonged to Tien Tien with her songs named “Say you do”.

Five winners of “Top Gold- Most Favorite Singer” title included Dam Vinh Hung, Le Quyen, Cam Ly, Ho Ngoc Ha and Tuan Hung.

Dong Nhi, Trung Quan Idol, Toc Tien and Son Tung M-TP won the title of “Top hit- Most Favorite Singer”.

Ai Phuong and Hoai Lam received ‘Promising Male & female Singer’ awards.

‘Most Effective Sound-Mixing Musician’ award went to Hoang Touliver

In ‘Best Single of the Year’ category, singer Son Tung M- TP won for hit song ‘Am Tham Ben Em” (Beside you in silence).

The annual Lan Song Xanh (Green Wave) Music Awards was launched in 1997 by Voice of Ho Chi Minh City for the first time.

Da Lat to set up hotline for flower festival regulations

The Da Lat Flower Festival's organisation board has announced its hotline at 0941245245. Visitors can call about violations on prices or regulations, or any issue related to security.

The organisation board earlier this week said the festival was prepared to welcome domestic and foreign visitors. The festival will start on December 29 and last for five days, with many programmes advertising local tourism.

The board also said that local authorities had applied many programmes to ensure security at the festival.

Da Lat has over 600 accommodations with a capacity of serving 40,000 guests.

My Son Sanctuary entrance fee to increase next year

The management board of the My Son Sanctuary in the central province of Quang Nam earlier this week announced to increase entrance fees by 40-50 per cent next year. The announcement has been sent to tour operators.

The price will rise from VND100,000 (US$4.5) to VND150,000 for foreign tourists and from VND60,000 to VND100,000 for domestic visitors. The board attributed the increase to new services.

My Son Sanctuary is located in Duy Xuyen District, about 70km from Da Nang City.

Silk scarf collections come to Hoi An

The latest 100 collections of silk scarves from famous silk centres in Van Phuc, Nha Xa, Tan An, Hoi An and Ly Silk have been introduced at Hoi An Silk Village in celebration of Christmas, and will last through lunar Tet holiday in February.

The Ly silk brand, in co-operation with Hoi An Silk, created the luxurious silks, which carry images of villages.

Hoi An Silk Village, located at 28 Nguyen Tat Thanh Street in ancient Hoi An town, is a silk-weaving centre and museum of the ancient trade in the central region.

The village was voted as the third best attraction in the UNESCO-recognised world heritage city on TripAdvisor last year.

The village cultivates 40 strains of mulberry used to produce some of the country's top quality silks, including some even used by the former Cham rulers of the area.

The beauty of the village, live demonstrations of Vietnamese silk weaving, and showrooms of silk suits and dresses make it an apt place for the Viet Nam-Asia Silk Culture Festival in March.

HCMC musicians to host Xmas shows

The HCMC Music Conservatory will perform two Christmas concerts in collaboration with the US's Washington State University – the Saigon Wind Ensemble today and Duo Tuba & Piano tomorrow.

The Saigon Wind Ensemble will feature special guest Gerald Berthiaume, who will play the piano part of George Gershwin in Rhapsody in Blue under the baton of Danh Pham.

One of the most prominent American works for piano and orchestra, it mixes jazz with classical music.

Duo Tuba & Piano will feature modern solo and duet pieces performed by two guest artists from the university – Berthiaume and tuba player Chris Dickey.

Tickets to the concert at the conservatory cost VND200,000-300,000, and are available at the venue at 112 Nguyen Du Street.

Journalist wins top photo in contest

The first place award at the ASEAN Festival of Photos, Reportage and Documentary Film 2015 went to Vietnamese photographer and journalist, Trinh Thong Thien, on Tuesday.

His awarded photo collection, Le Cap Sac Cua Nguoi Dao Tien (Maturity Ceremony of Dao Tien Group), depict a Dao ethnic minority's "maturity ceremony" in Lai Chau Province. The maturity ritual marks a teenage boy's passing into manhood.

The collection also won first prize at the Viet Nam – Country – People photo contest this October.

Speaking of the ASEAN photo festival, Thien said it "created an interesting opportunity for me and other photographers from other ASEAN countries to share our photography experiences and understand other cultures".

The purpose of the festival is to reflect real life and achievements of different peoples in culture, economy, society and religion in each country of the ASEAN community.

In just five months since its launch, the festival board received 1,489 photos and photo collections, and 113 reports and documentary films from across ASEAN.

The first prize for reportage and documentary film went to director Shune Lei Thar for his film, What are Human Rights?, from Myanmar.

The organisation board awarded four second prizes, six third prizes and nine consolation prizes.

TV series highlights regional ties

The Dong Nai Province's Radio and Television Station (DNTV) will broadcast a documentary series featuring friendship ties between Viet Nam, Laos and Cambodia.

The 30-part film, Dong Duong Chung Mot Chien Hao (Indochine Countries are Comrade in Arms), highlights the relationships of people and soldiers of the three countries in different eras.

It focuses on historic events in 1858 when the coalition forces of France and Spain arrived near Son Tra Island to attack Viet Nam and the Indochinese Peninsula later.

It also features the three countries' history, culture and lifestyle.

The film used reports and interviews produced by the national TV stations of Laos and Cambodia.

The DNTV film staff spent two years working with its partners to complete the documentaries. The film was produced to celebrate the 71st anniversary of the Viet Nam People's Army.

The film's 25-minute segments will begin broadcast on BTV2 and BTV1 channels on December 22 every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 9.30pm.

It will be subtitled in Lao and Khmer, and released in the two countries as well.

Hoi An college to host Irish design event featuring culture, technology

An exhibition, entitled Irish Design 2015, will be held at the ancient city's Phan Chau Trinh private college from December 21 to 25.

The event, which is being jointly organised by the college and the Irish Embassy in Viet Nam, will showcase designs in wood, stone, garments and weaving, besides fashion, architecture, interior decoration and animated film design, as well as various products by Irish designers.

Irish Design 2015 is an initiative with an Irish heart and an international reach, and involves a year-long exploration of the value of design. It is part of the Irish Government's Action Plan for Jobs.

The exhibition is an opportunity for students at the college to explore culture, technology studies and designs from Ireland, thus promoting renovation studies among them.

The event is scheduled to open at about 8am on Monday at the college hall, No 2, Tran Hung Dao Street, Hoi An City.

Tourists can visit the exhibition from 8am to 4.30pm every day from December 21 to 25.

New cai luong play in HCM City depicts postwar lives of soldiers

A new cai luong (reformed opera) play about soldiers and their life in the postwar period will be staged in HCM City to mark the 71st anniversary of the Viet Nam People's Army on December 22.

The play, Coi Thieng (The Ideal), is staged by the private drama troupe Sen Viet, composed of a group of young and veteran performers.

It was written by Vuong Huyen Co, one of the few female scriptwriters in HCM City.

The play featured Meritorious Artist Huu Quoc, Thanh Ngan and Thanh Phong, offering a new style of performance.

The 150-minute work Coi Thieng features Sau, a soldier of the Liberation Special Forces in Sai Gon during the American war. To complete his mission, he faces danger and death.

It features Sau and his life after war, when he works as a forester.

"Through my performance, I gained valuable lessons about love for country and respect for unknown soldiers," said Quoc, who played the role of Sau.

Quoc said he and other performers spent more than two months practising their singing and dance skills to provide theatre fans "a great show with our strong and melodic voices and appealing and powerful stage presence".

Le Nguyen Dat, the play's director, said: "We want to attract young audiences who should know more about the country's history and how the older generations lived and worked. We promise a great spectacle of music and images."

Coi Thieng will be staged at 8pm every night from December 19 to 22 at the Hung Dao Theatre in District 1.

Thanh Hoa touts its culture

Various activities have been held since Wednesday in celebration of the National Tourism Year Connecting World Heritage Sites in Viet Nam hosted by the central province of Thanh Hoa.

Amateur troupes from seven provinces have performed Vietnamese traditional art forms, recognised as world cultural non-intangible heritage by UNESCO, in downtown Thanh Hoa City and at the Ho Dynasty Citadel in Vinh Loc District, and Lam Kinh relic site in Tho Xuan District.

The tourism year was expected to promote the tangible and intangible cultural heritage and natural tourist attractions in Viet Nam to domestic and international visitors, while boosting tourism co-operation between Thanh Hoa and other localities in the region and across the country.

This is the first time all world cultural non-intangible heritage art forms in Viet Nam, such as nha nhac (court music), xoan song, quan ho (love song) and gong culture in the Central Highlands, in addition to ca tru (ceremonial singing), were performed at the same place.

The art troupes hail from Ha Noi, Thua Thien Hue, Bac Giang and Phu Tho, as well as Kon Tum, Nghe An and Thanh Hoa.

The final show will be organised here next Tuesday night, gathering 300 artists. It will have the theme Ky Uc Mot Mien Di San (Memory of a Heritage Site) at Lam Son Square in downtown Thanh Hoa City. The show will be broadcasted live on Thanh Hoa Television and Radio, as well as Viet Nam Television.

A workshop on promoting local tourism investment will be organised this weekend, as well as awarding ceremonies for a photo contest themed "Year of National Tourism" and a writing contest themed "Thanh Hoa land and people".

The Ho Dynasty Citadel was recognised as a world cultural heritage site in 2013. It measures 870m by 883m and was built in 1397.

The citadel's construction was supervised by the Tran Dynasty's top mandarin Ho Quy Ly (1336-1407), who later occupied the citadel when he forcibly took the throne in 1400, changing the country's name from Dai Viet to Dai Ngu.

Ho Quy Ly's rise to power launched the short-lived Ho Dynasty, and that is why the citadel is still known as the Ho Dynasty Citadel.

Many cultural, sports and tourism events such as folk song competitions, a sea tourism festival, and international sculpture camp and gastronomy festival were held in Thanh Hoa throughout the year.

In 2015, the province was expected to attract about 100,000 foreign tourists and about 5.5 million domestic visitors.

Located 150km to the south of Ha Noi, Thanh Hoa is a key tourist destination. With a magnificent history and cultural traditions, the city is home to several national heroes and cultural celebrities. It has more than 1,500 relic sites.

Along with that, hundreds of festivals, folk songs, dances and local specialties also contribute to developing the Thanh Hoa tourism brand.

Winter treats of Hanoi

When winter arrives in Hanoi, fried sweet potato and banana cakes will become favorite foods of Hanoians and visitors. Stalls selling hot potato and banana cakes have begun appearing along the streets in the capital.

The smell of the cakes makes passersby’s mouth water and the heat from the stoves keeps people warm in the cold atmosphere. The price is affordable, around VND10,000 (44 US cents) per cake.

The main ingredients of the crisp yellow cakes are sweet potatoes and bananas from the countryside. After being mixed with flour and sugar, they are deep fried and become a perfect treat in winter days.

The fried sweet potato and banana cake selling stalls have mushroomed on almost all streets and alleys in Hanoi, especially around schools.

However, if one wants to find the most delicious sweet potato and banana cakes in Hanoi, they are recommended to go to Lang Street running from Cau Giay Bridge in Cau Giay District to Nga Tu So Ward in Dong Da District.

Customers usually come to the street from 5 p.m., making the street a bustling area in town.

Photography copyright infringement rampant in Vietnam

Veteran photographer Hoang Kim Dang claims copyright infringement is rampant in Vietnam and photographers are suffering as there seems to be a lack of interest in addressing the problem.

Dang claims many of his and other photographers' photos have been used without credit.

"A painter completely copied my photo of Nguyen Tuan, a photo of Trinh Cong Son by Truong Cong Anh and a portrait of Nguyen Dinh Thi taken by Nguyen Dinh Toan. He opened an exhibition yet didn't give us credit," Dang said.

Dang's photo of General Vo Nguyen Giap at his 80-year-old birthday is widely used on book covers and postcards. But when he informed the publishers about the violations, he received no feedback.

"It's rampant but rarely does anyone take their claims to court. It's maybe a profitable act in other countries but in Vietnam, we'd end up wasting more money pursuing a case than we'd get from any payout," Dang said.

Copyright infringement has been a long-standing problem in Vietnam and the lack of co-operation between organisations and agencies has not helped improve matters.

In 2012, Tran Manh Thuong's The History of World's Photography received the National Book Award for best works of photographic research and criticism by the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists. However, at the ceremony, the association's former head went on stage and said it was just a great translation of a foreign book. The investigation went on for a long time and the prize was only withdrawn officially this year.

"Many members have complained about the problems. The association didn't really care about the link between the organisers and judges of the contest. Some of the judges didn't even bother to read up on the criteria and didn’t make informed decisions," he said. "We’re so used to infringements that no-one bothers to sue anymore."

Gala evening of Russian literature held in Hanoi

A gala evening of Russian literature was held by the Russian Centre of Science and Culture in Hanoi on December 16 to mark the conclusion of the Year of Russian Literature 2015.

Addressing the event, Director of Russian Language Centre under the Russian Centre of Science and Culture Natalia Kutureva said that the celebrations of the Year of Russian Literature were not only held in Russia but in many other countries in the world including Vietnam, demonstrating a love for Russian literature.

She noted that in 2015, many activities were organised to introduce masterpieces of Russian literature, which has made great contributions to the development of world literature.

The gala evening included various activities such as presenting works by Russian poets and writers; songs based on poems by Russian poets and exhibitions of objects related to Russian literature. Many rare items were showcased including copies of the first French and Chinese translations of Russian literature works in the early twentieth century, books with the dedications of the authors, and famous literary translators among others.

On the occasion, the Russian Centre of Science and Culture presented numerous sets of Russian books translated into Vietnamese to libraries and literature organisations in Vietnam.

Vietnam Television Festival kicks off in Quang Binh

A ceremony was held on December 16 in Dong Hoi city, the central province of Quang Binh to kick off the 35th Vietnam Television Festival.

This year’s festival brings together over 100 television production units with nearly 500 works that will compete for prizes in nine categories including children's programmes, documentaries, reportage, science and education, talk shows and dialogue, ethnic minority language programmes, musical programmes, stage and television movies.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Television (VTV) Pham Viet Tien emphasised that the 35th Vietnam Television Festival would discover and honour the most outstanding works for television in 2015.

He also said that the festival would contribute to inspiring, nurturing and promoting the creative values of television workers around the country, creating motivation for them to produce better programmes to serve viewers.

Nhan Dan (The People) Television participated in the festival for the first time with six works competing in science and education, documentary and talk shows-dialogue categories.

A workshop on solutions to improve the quality of sporting programmes, an international seminar discussing the interaction with viewers in TV programmes and a forum themed ‘Communicating Vietnam’s seas and islands on television’ will take place during the three-day festival.

On the sidelines of the festival, an exhibition displaying photos on television workers, an exchange between broadcasters and audiences in Quang Binh and screening of entries as well as an exhibition displaying a model of the world’s largest natural cave, Son Doong in Quang Binh province, will also be held.

The annual event, held by VTV, is a good opportunity for television workers to meet and share their experience to provide viewers more attractive programmes.

Toyota awards scholarships to young music talents

Toyota Vietnam Foundation (TVF), Toyota Motor Vietnam (TMV), in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, on December 16 awarded 16 scholarships to students in HCMC, among 85 scholarships for Vietnamese students of five music universities and colleges this year.

Besides HCMC Conservatory of Music, the “Toyota Scholarship for Vietnamese Young Music Talents 2015” will benefit students at Vietnam National Academy of Music, Hue Music Institute, Tay Bac Music College and Viet Bac Music College. Each scholarship is worth VND6 million, and the total value of the program this year reaches VND510 million.

In addition, in order to support young music talents to practice more, this year scholarships also create a chance for excellent students to practice and perform with professional orchestras.

The ceremony will be held in the northern, central and southern regions. The scholarship award ceremony for 15 students from the central region will be held at Hue Music Institute on December 18, 2015. And finally, for the students from the north, the award ceremony for 54 students from Vietnam National Academy of Music, Tay Bac Music College and Viet Bac Music College will be organized at Vietnam National Academy of Music in Hanoi on December 29.

Since 2009, TVF has been implementing the Toyota Scholarship for Vietnamese Young Music Talents program to encourage young music talents to make more effort in study and improve their skills to become real artists in the future. By the end of this year, 645 scholarships will be awarded to music students nationwide. All proceeds from the two music programs, Toyota Classics 2015 and Toyota Concert Tour 2015, organized by TMV have been used to fund this year’s scholarships.

Some hotels under Saigontourist and Bong Sen Corp. have prepared numerous culinary programs to serve revelers during the upcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Rex Hotel, 141 Nguyen Hue Boulevard, District 1, HCMC, tel: 08 3829 2185

The Vertical Garden on the ground floor of the hotel which will be turned into a heaven’s garden will host a Christmas party on December 24 from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Adults and children will be charged VND2.3 million and VND1.15 million respectively.

Majestic Saigon Hotel, 1 Dong Khoi Street, District 1, HCMC, Tel: (08) 3829 5517

The hotel has a special offer of turkey stuffed with almond served with mass potato, grilled vegetables and sauces at the price of VND1.999 million per portion suitable for five to six people from now until December 25.

Hotel Continental Saigon, 132 Dong Khoi Street, District 1, HCMC. Tel: 08.3825 7679

Christmas Eve party at the hotel in Western style is highlighted by turkey, a must-eat dish in the festive season. Baked oyster with cheese and roasted lamb are going to stimulate your senses of taste. In addition, 40 selective dishes and tasteful drinks, including special cocktails, red wine and white wine, await gastronomes in an unforgettable Christmas Eve at the Continental. At the party, Santa Claus and Fairy Snow Queen will come to present gifts and deliver greetings, wishing you a happy life. The hotel’s restaurant has been decorated for guests to enjoy a great Christmas season to the fullest. Artistic shows, including Christmas carols and traditional dances, and games are other highlights of the party. Time: 7 p.m.-10 p.m. Price: VND1.39 million an adult and VND790,000 a child.

Grand Hotel Saigon, 8 Dong Khoi Street, District 1, HCMC. Tel: 08.3915 5555

Grand Hotel Saigon welcomes Christmas 2015 and New Year 2016 by hosting exciting gala dinner parties. The parties will be held at Saigon Palace Restaurant, Chavigny Hall Restaurant and Rooftop Grand Café, either indoors or outdoors. In such a setting, guests can watch fireworks display on the city’s skyline. The party will spur revelers with shows performed by music bands and dancers.

- Christmas: from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., the gala dinner buffet serves French-style turkey and grilled seafood. Entertainment shows include a jazz band, Jabbawockee-Christmas parade, angle dance, game shows and nice gifts. Tiger draft beer, soft drinks, water and wine are complimentary. Price: VND1.89 million an adult and VND1.47 million a child.

Promotion: 10% discounts for bookings till December 23, available also for staff members, and one free ticket for 10 bought.

- New Year’s Eve:

+ Saigon Palace (Fl. 2): From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., the gala dinner buffet includes New Year special dishes and complimentary wine, Tiger beer, soft drinks and water. Price: VND2.1 million an adult and VND1.26 million a child. Music and game shows and fireworks displays. Promotion: 10% discounts and buy 10 get one free.

+ Chavigny Hall (Fl. 12): From 10 p.m. to 0:30 a.m., guests taste snacks, watch fireworks show and enjoy other interesting programs. Free flow of soft drinks and water plus one New Year cocktail.

+ Rooftop Grand Café (Fl. 20): Guests will experience New Year special dishes, including French King cakes and champagne, and music, magic and game shows. Gifts include one hotel room voucher, airport shuttle service and one dinner for two till December 31, 2016. The 20th floor is an ideal venue for watching fireworks. Free flow of beer, cocktail, wine, soft drinks and water. Price: VND2.3 million an adult and VND1.38 million a child. Promotion: 10% discounts for early birds and buy 10 get one free.

Thien Hong Hotel, 52-56 Tan Da Street, District 5, HCMC. Tel: 08.38553472

The Christmas Melody program will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on December 24. The buffet offers more than 40 Chinese and Vietnamese dishes together with exciting shows, gifts from Santa Claus, circus, karaoke and a lucky draw. Price: VND299,000 an adult and VND199,000 a child. Promotion: Buy 10 get one free and free delivery.

Palace Saigon Hotel, 56-66 Nguyen Hue Boulevard, District 1, HCMC. Tel: 08. 3824 4231, & Bong Sen Saigon Hotel, 121 Dong Khoi Street, District 1, HCMC. Tel: 08. 3829 1516

The two hotels will host a lot of fantastic activities. It is a great memory when you enjoy a fine dining party while experiencing shows including Christmas carols such as Jingle Bells, Joy to the World and Santa Claus Is Coming to Town, performed by children’s choir and receiving nice gifts from Santa Claus.

Calibre Lounge (Ground floor, Bong Sen Saigon Hotel)

With great decoration, Calibre Lounge promises to bring a merry Christmas to guests. It offers two delicious combo options, costing VND399,000 and VND490,000 per diner respectively. Each combo includes one main dish, one drink and one Brodard cake.

Calibre Lounge (Fl. 1, Palace Saigon Hotel)

A buffet with selective dishes, a magic show and a music show are highlights for families to welcome a merry Christmas Eve. Price: VND990,000 per guest.

Bong Sen Buffet Ganh Restaurant (Ground floor of Bong Sen Saigon Hotel and fifth floor of Palace Saigon Hotel). The buffet offers special Christmas dishes. Price: VND499,000 a person.

Lemongrass Restaurant (Fl. 14 & 15, Palace Saigon Hotel)

On the 14th and 15th floors, dinners can enjoy a cool Christmas atmosphere with family and friends. From here, you can watch Nguyen Hue pedestrian street. Price: VND790,000 per person per set menu.

Bier Garden Restaurant

The Christmas dinner at the restaurant is highlighted by the performance of a Filipino band. VND790,000 per guest per set menu.

Vietnam House and Lemongrass (4 Nguyen Thiep Street, District 1, HCMC)

If you like a peaceful and elegant atmosphere on Christmas Eve, Vietnam House and Lemongrass are recommended. Price: VND790,000 per person per set menu.

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