Saigon weekend: What to do and where to go (March 17-19)

Photographs by Thomas Billhardt

Thomas Billhardt is one of the most prominent German documentary photographers in the world. His photographs have been shown in more than 100 exhibitions from Moscow to New York, as well as appearing in more than 60 documentaries.

A poster to Thomas Billhardt photo exhibition. Photo courtesy of Goethe-Institut Ho Chi Minh City

This month, Billhardt’s photo exhibition of Vietnam and its people, taken from 1962 to 1999, will be exhibited in Ho Chi Minh City. Seventy photos by Billhardt, including some of South Vietnam that have never been exhibited in Vietnam before, will be on display.

Entry to the photo exhibition is free. The exhibition will run from March 3 to March 29, and will be open daily from 8 a.m to 8 p.m, on the 2nd floor of Deutsches Haus, 33 Le Duan St, District 1.

Polish Film Week

Polish Film Week is a cultural exchange program that introduces Vietnamese cinema fans to the nation and people of Poland in order to strengthen Vietnam-Poland friendship. The event will be held by the Vietnam Cinema Department in coordination with the Polish Filmmakers Association and is scheduled to take place in Ho Chi Minh City from March 18 to March 22. The five films on show include Solid Gold, Paparazzi Love, Songs About Love, Sonata, and The Getaway King.

A poster of Polish movie “Songs about love.” Photo courtesy of Vietnam Cinema Department

“Solid Gold” follows female police officer Kaja after being fired from the force. She is later called back by the Central Bureau of Investigation to help them overthrow drug lord Kawecki, CEO of Solid Gold Bank. The film “Paparazzi Love” is about a girl named Nina who works for the newspaper Rzeczpospolita, and Robert, the president’s son. “Songs About Love” is a celebration of Alicja and Robert’s youth and love, presenting the two main characters as they struggle to find their own path in life. “The Getaway King” is a criminal action comedy film about the infamous thief Naymro, who is seeing changes in his life due to love and life events. Finally, “Sonata” is a touching film, set in the gorgeous Tatra Mountains, that portrays the actual story of Gregorz Plonka, a gifted musician from the little village of Murzasichle.

Audiences can get free movie tickets on the website https://cinestar.com.vn/. The movies will be shown at Cinestar, 135 Hai Ba Trung St., District 1.

French movie “La Nuit a dévoré le monde” (“The Night Eats the World”)

French cinema rendez-vous is a new weekly event introducing the richness and diversity of French cinema through the screening of a variety of very different films. Screenings are held by French Cinema Rendez-vous and Institut français de HCMV.

A poster of the French movie “La Nuit a dévoré le monde.” Photo courtesy of French Cinema Rendez-vous

Following up with the event, this week’s movie is “La Nuit a dévoré le monde.” The film follows Sam, a lone survivor, who has to face the reality that an army of zombies has invaded the streets of Paris.

“La Nuit a dévoré le monde” will be shown at DCiné Cinema, 6 Mac Dinh Chi St., District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, on March 18 at 7 p.m. The price of a ticket is VND60,000 ($2.53) per person.

St. Patrick’s Day Fun Fair: Support Tree-Planting for a Greener Tomorrow

St Patrick’s Day Fun Fair is an event to help raise funds to plant more trees for schools in Saigon. The event has activities such as crafting and face-painting, a treasure hunt for kids and adults as well as tote bag painting. Tasty treats and live entertainment will also be available..All profits from the tickets will be donated to the Gaia Nature Conservation Center to plant more trees in HCMC schools.

A poster for the St Patrick’s Day Fun Fair event in HCMC. Photo courtesy of The Hive Saigon

The event takes place on March 19, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at The Hive Villa Saigon, 20 Nguyen Ba Lan St., Thao Dien Ward, District 2. Prices start at VND50,000 ($2.12) for online booking, which includes activities and one raffle ticket. You can also purchase a ticket at the entrance for VND70,000. Free entrance for kids under 6.

Royal Indian dinner

Dalcheeni is a fine dining Indian restaurant serving royal Indian cuisine in Ho Chi Minh City. On March 18, the restaurant is offering a night of culinary delight featuring a reception with canapés and cocktails, and followed by a seated dinner with a specially crafted menu. This is also an occasion for you to meet like-minded individuals who share the same passion for food culture. ⁣

Photo courtesy of La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs – Bailliage National du Viêt-Nam

It is necessary to dress smart casual or to wear national attire.⁣ Prices star at VND3,000,000 for members of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, the International Association of Gastronomy, and VND3,500,000 for non-members. The event takes place on March 18 and starts at 6:30 p.m. at Dalcheeni, 2A Ngo Van Nam St., Ben Nghe Ward, District 1.