October has always been one of the most festive months of the year. If you still have no idea how to make the most of your free time to socialize or simply just to hang out with friends, we will help you go through this event-ridden month.

Music

Music heads must be getting overly excited about the first international music festival in Hanoi named Monsoon Music Festival 2014 (02 Oct to 04 Oct, Thang Long Imperial Citadel)

Be ready for the performance of famous singers and music bands from Vietnam such as Thanh Lam, Ha Tran, Suboi, Ngu Cung rock band, etc. as well as international artists from Denmark, England, France, Belgium (Benjamin Schoo), South Korea, Japan, Australia (Thanh Bui). The annual music festival aims to become an international brand name made and developed by the community.

For Japanese lovers, an event that cannot be missed either is JF Garage Concert Vol. 04 – J-CLASSIC (Sat 04 Oct 2014, 8 – 9 pm) at Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam

In this fourth garage concert, Hanoi Ensemble & friends introduce us not only all-time masterpieces by Antonio Vivaldi, Béla Bartók and Ástor Piazzolla but also a variety of classical and popular tunes from Japan, including by Nanae Mimura, Takatsugu Muramatsu and Shin-itchiro Yokoyama.

Two other music options are Piano Duet Performance with Duo Mây (Sat 04 Oct 2014, 6 pm) featuring The young Duo Mây who are recognized as one of most talented chamber music groups in Vietnam and Classical Concert with Song Hong Chamber Music (Sat 25 Oct 2014, 8 pm). Both are at L’Espace.

Classical music fans should also mark your calendar for Special Concert “Verdi Requiem” (22 and 23 Oct 2014, 8 pm) at the Hanoi Opera House. Tickets can be bought online at vnso.org.vn.

Exhibition

If you are into arts, October will absolutely not disappoint you. Exhibition Information Transmitted by Horse Riding (30 Sep – 26 Oct), free entrance at L’Espace will somehow teach you how to live more slowly in this modern technology age.

Exhibition “Vietnam – South Korea Art Exchange” (01 – 07 Oct , free entry) at Exhibition House 29 Hang Bai will feature 108 artworks including Paintings, Graphics and Sculptures by Vietnamese and Korean artists.

Besides, The Second Hanoi Open Exhibition (05 – 26 Oct 2014, free entry) at Work Room Four is designed to be a unique showcase for art and design in a variety of style and media, including painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media. The works have been selected and curated by Work Room Four Directors and artists.

Graphic Art Exhibition of Benjamin Badock (10 Oct – 02 Nov) at Goethe-Institut will feature 29 works on paper by Benjamin Badock, one of the most seminal and original graphic artists in Germany.

Film

October will probably make those couch potatoes leave their couch to take part in various filmology activities.

Swedish Film Festival in Hanoi (03 – 05 Oct 2014) at Cinematheque will also introduce great movies from this beautiful country. The festival is free of charge but it is important to show up early since there is a first come first served policy with limited seats. We will serve some traditional Swedish cinnamon rolls or “bullar” at each screening.

Japanese Film Festival 2014 – Passion (10 Oct – 02 Nov) will take place in Hanoi, Da Nang and Vung Tau. This year’s film festival focuses on the introduction of Japanese films under the theme of “PASSION”. We will screen Eight Japanese films, which relate with passion; a passion that looks comical, a passion that keeping their determination quietly, a passion to fight toward better future. The admission is free.

Festival

Festivals are always the best opportunity to enjoy life and socialise. This October brings you the second biggest festival in the world Oktoberfest. The beer party would be hosted in Hanoi at JW Marriott Hotel (23 and 24 Oct 2014, 6 pm) and in HCMC at Windsor Plaza Hotel (10 and 11 Oct, 14 – 18 Oct 2014, 6 pm). Similar party will take place at Sofitel Plaza Hanoi (20, 27 Sep and 04 Oct 2014)

The Oktoberfest in Vietnam definitely creates the authentic atmosphere found in the massive beer halls of the original Oktoberfest in Munich, complete with delicious German cuisine, premium imported German brews and a great party mood with very authentic Bavarian music from the band “Gaukis Bavaria” in Ho Chi Minh City and the “Anton Showband” in Hanoi, who promise to keep the party in both cities rocking through the nights this year.

Of course, Germany is not the only nation famous for beer. For the first time, the Belgian beer festival is taking place in Hanoi on Friday, 03 October at American Club. At the festival, visitors will get the chance to know more about Belgian beers, their wide diversity, personality and quality. Visitors can taste a variety of Belgian beers including fruity and light beers made for female beer-lovers, discover the generation-to-generation beer brewing process, what makes Belgian beers incredibly special, and enjoy Belgian games, jazz music and much more.

Beer is not your thing? Don’t worry! Come and Celebrate French Culture with Sofitel Wine Days (22 Sep – 31 Oct 2014).

Embrace a touch of French gastronomy with the magnifique fusion of selected French wines and appetizing dishes, created to elevate all your senses. Guests are invited to savour the most sought-after French wines from renowned wineries such as Rothschild, Guigal, Alain Chabanon, Daumas Gassac, Brumont, Trimbach, Jadot, and Bordeaux.

Imbued with a sense of timeless elegance and French art de vivre, Sofitel Wine Days promise to graciously delight all palates.

Other

“Fashionista” should definitely consider Exhibition of Wearable Art Collaborative Project “Memories of Vietnam (30 Sep – 15 Oct 2014, 10 am – 10 pm) at Lucy’s Dream.  The exhibition showcases their latest collaborative wearable art collection featuring Viet Phuong Le, the artist with his outstanding Digital Art Manipulation and Hand-drawing Skills.

And your October to do list would not be complete without the Conference Rethinking Museums & Sustainable Development hosted by ICOM-ICTOP in Hanoi and Ha Long bay (21 – 25 Oct 2014).

It will be an intensive Professional Development Program in partnership with ICOM Vietnam, Vietnam Ministry of Culture and Tourism, ICOM MINOM, and the International Institute for the Inclusive Museum with the support of the ICOM Asia Pacific Alliance. This is a remarkable opportunity to join with Asia Pacific colleagues, Inclusive Museum and Vietnam colleagues to address pressing issues in sustainability, professional development, appropriate museology and capacity building.

Hanoigrapevine/VNN