Those remaining undecided over where to go this weekend should consider the following sites in HCMC for entertainment, shopping and food.

Nguyen Van Binh Book Street (Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, HCMC)

Nguyen Van Binh book street, adjacent to the landmark Central Post Office in downtown HCMC, is where bookworms come to find new books or have a cup of coffee on the weekend. 

But this week visitors can watch a classical music performance by a group of high-school students who are currently active in the “Classics On The Go” Group from 10 a.m. until noon this Sunday. 

Sharing the same passion for classical music, the students come from Tran Dai Nghia High School for the Gifted in District 1, HCMC.

HCMC Conservatory of Music (112 Nguyen Du Street, District 1, HCMC)

The award-winning Notos Quartet from Germany will stage a special concert at the HCMC Conservatory of Music on August 5, according to the Goethe Institute in HCMC.

The event is expected to feature masterpieces by Mozart, Schubert, Brahms, Mahler, and legendary Austrian violinist Fritz Kreisler, among others.

Since its inception in 2007, the quartet has won the 2011 Parkhouse Award in London, first prize at the 2016 Schoenfeld International String Competition in China, and first prize at the 2017 International Chamber Music Competition Almere in the Netherlands. 

The concert is jointly held by the the Goethe Institute in HCMC and the HCMC Conservatory of Music.  

Tickets are now on available at https://ticketbox.vn/event/viennese-melange-65901/41898, with prices ranging from VND250,000 to VND300,000.

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

The movie “Security” (or Nguoi gac dem in Vietnamese), directed by Alain Desrochers, will be screened at 2:10 p.m., 6:20 p.m. and 8:20 p.m. this Saturday at CGV Hung Vuong on the seventh floor of the Parkson Hung Vuong Plaza.

The film features renowned stars such as Antonio Banderas, Ben Kingsley and Liam McIntyre.

The 92-minute movie tells a story about a former American military officer who serves as a security guard for a shopping mall in a rough area of town. 

On his first night shift, a young mysterious girl who takes a role as a trial witness and is being attacked by a gang of criminals rushes into the shopping center and asks for his protection.

The movie will have Vietnamese subtitle. Children under 18 years old are disallowed to watch the movie.

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

Saigon Central Market (September 23 Park, District 1, HCMC)

The Saigon Central Market has been known as a popular rendezvous at weekends for many locals and expatriates who want to discover street food and witness the bustling atmosphere of city nightlife.  

Located at Zone B of September 23 Park in District 1, adjacent to the backpacker area surrounded by Pham Ngu Lao, Bui Vien and De Tham streets, the weekend bazaar allows guests to enjoy a variety of street-food dishes from Vietnam, Japan, Korea and Thailand, fashion items at various stands, and music shows performed by street artists. 

Visitors are advised to take a tour to the weekend bazaar on August 5-6 to savor tasty food and do some shopping.

For further information about the market, check out the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Saigon-Central-Market.

Saigon Times