Those not having enough time on the weekend for a long trip could take note of the following destinations in HCM City.  

Tourists are seen on Nguyen Van Binh book street in downtown HCMC. The second “Trung thu mo uoc” (Mid-Autumn Dreams) event will take place this weekend on the book street 

Nguyen Van Binh book street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, HCMC

The second “Trung thu mo uoc” (Mid-Autumn Dreams) event will take place on September 30 and October 1 on Nguyen Van Binh book street in downtown HCMC to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on October 4 or the 15th of the eighth lunar month.

According to the HCMC Book Street Management Board, around 800 disadvantaged children from open homes and shelters in the city and neighboring provinces will be provided with an opportunity to immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere and join exciting activities.

Aside from lion dance performances, music shows and a lantern parade, the event is expected to feature a range of fun activities for kids such as traditional folk games, lantern decoration, statue painting and drawing.

Organized by the HCMC Book Street Company Limited in partnership with the 24-hour Book Company Ltd, the annual event has received generous support from businesses and organizations which want to bring a joyful Mid-Autumn season to underprivileged children and promote reading among local kids. 

Those kids attending the two-day event can bring home their favorite books donated by bookstores on the book street while visitors to the event will be offered discounts of 10% to 30% on books. 

CGV Hung Vuong Plaza, 126 Hung Vuong Street, District 5, HCMC

Parents should take their kids to CGV Hung Vuong on the seventh floor of the Parkson Hung Vuong Plaza to watch the fantastic animated film “The Lego Ninjago Movie” at 5:50 p.m., 7:10 p.m. and 8:10 p.m. this Saturday. 

The film, directed by Charlie Bean and Paul Fisher and starring Jackie Chan, Dave Franco and Michael Pena, tells a story about six young ninjas -- Lloyd, Jay, Kai, Cole, Zane and Nya -- who are responsible for protecting their island home, called Ninjago. 

At night, they are gifted warriors who use their martial arts skills and awesome fleet of vehicles to fight villains and monsters while by day, they are ordinary students struggling to find ways to cope with their study at school.

The movie will be screened in English with Vietnamese subtitles and voice-over.

Further information about ticket prices can be found at https://www.cgv.vn.

Galaxy Nguyen Du Cinema, 116 Nguyen Du Street, District 1, HCMC

The action spy comedy film “Kingsman: The Golden Circle” whose Vietnamese name is “Kingsman: To chuc hoang kim” will be screened at 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. at Galaxy Nguyen Du Cinema in District 1, HCMC on Friday night this week.

The movie, directed by Matthew Vaughn, an English film producer and director, features renowned stars such as Colin Firth, Taron Egerton, Mark Strong, Edward Holcroft and Sophie Cookson. 

The film depicts a journey of three secret agents of the spy organization Kingsman whose headquarters is destroyed to team up with an allied spy organization in the U.S. called Stateman so as to rescue the world.

Children under 18 years old are not allowed to watch the movie. Further information about ticket prices can be found at https://www.galaxycine.vn/dat-ve/kingsman-2.

Lantern Quarter, Luong Nhu Hoc Street, District 5, HCMC

Guests buy lanterns at a shop on Luong Nhu Hoc Street in District 5

It is just one week until the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the festive atmosphere can be felt on busy streets, shopping centers, supermarkets, fashion shops.

Interested people should drop by the lantern selling quarter surrounded by Tran Hung Dao, Luong Nhu Hoc, Phu Dinh and Nguyen An streets in District 5, HCMC to see lanterns in different shapes and colors, and pose for photos. 

In addition to the lantern shops, visitors can find dining services there.

SGT