Ho Chi Minh City as usual is always packed with exhilarating activities for weekend celebrations. Those still pondering where to relax this weekend should check out the following sites in the city.

CGV Crescent Mall, 3H Nguyen Van Linh Boulevard, District 7

Parents with plans to provide kids with relaxation after stressful school hours could take their children to CGV Crescent Mall on the fifth floor of the Crescent Mall shopping complex in Phu My Hung urban area in District 7 to watch a family-themed animated film “Coco” at 7 p.m. on Saturday night.

Since its premiere in late November, the American 3D computer-animated directed by American director and screenwriter Lee Unkrich has heaped praise from movie enthusiasts around the world owing to its humanitarian values and meaningful messages conveyed from the film.

The film has recently dominated the North American box office with a solid US$26.1 million at 3,987 locations during a moderate weekend, according to Reuters.

The 127-minute movie, based on the traditions surrounding the Day of the Dead holiday in Mexico, tells a story about a 12-year-old boy called Miguel who dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz, but facing strong opposition from his family. Then, Migue is determined to start an extraordinary journey in the Land of the Dead to unlock a real story and explore his family history.     

According to Rotten Tomatoes, an American review website for film and television, the comedy animated movie has been embraced by critics with a 97% score and received good responses from millions of global audiences. 

Inpages Bookstore, 4 Le Van Mien Street, District 2

Although there are over two weeks left until Christmas, the festive atmosphere has flooded many street corners. This weekend, local youths and international tourists should head for Xmas Art Market at Inpages bookstore in HCMC’s District 2 on December 9-10 to experience early Christmas atmosphere. 

The two-day event features Christmas music performances, cool drinks and a range of stalls selling traditional handicrafts, handmade items and artworks for Christmas season. This will be also a perfect chance for visitors to pick up a Christmas gift for their beloved ones or make their own through a series of workshops.

Notably, the market is expected to showcase the creation of handmade notebooks by the best notebook makers and stationery groups across the country.

The market will be open from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 4 Le Van Mien Street in HCMC’s District 2. Visitors to the event will enjoy free admission.

Further information about the event can be found at www.inpages.org/events/.

Le Méridien Saigon, 3C Ton Duc Thang Street, District 1

The five-star Le Méridien Saigon will host a Christmas tree lighting ceremony to mark the start of the 2017 Christmas season this Friday and give a helping hand to underprivileged children at non-governmental organizations (NGO).

One of the highlights of the event is that participants are required to share the name of one city they have travelled to on the hotel’s Festive Wall, and if that city has an operating Le Méridien hotel, the hotel will donate VND100,000 to needy kids at NGOs to bring more smiles to the world.

The event is part of the hotel’s activities to show its commitment to corporate social responsibility and to share joy with poor students during the festive season.

Soul Live Project, 214-216 Pasteur Street, District 3

Following the successful performances in Hanoi, Danang and Hue, a four-member boyband namely “Ca Hoi Hoang” (Wild Salmon) will stage a gig at the Soul Live Project in District 3, HCMC at 8 p.m. this Saturday, December 9, as part of their tour across the country to promote the third album “GAP”.

Tickets can be obtained at bit.ly/cahoihoang-sg. Pre-sale tickets are priced at VND150,000 while tickets at the gate cost VND200,000 per person.

The Soul Live Project Complex is located at 214-216 Pasteur Street in HCMC’s District 3.

Saigon Times