Weekend tastes: Tet market and endless roasts in Saigon

Tet market

Saigon Outcast, a social hub in Ho Chi Minh City, will host a Tet market titled “More than a Tet” with the aim of fostering a connection between eastern and western cultures. The festival will showcase colorful stalls, decorations, and an array of traditional food, crafts, and cultural performances. Attendees can explore handcrafted gifts, take photos at the booth, and sample banh chung (square rice cake) and receive lucky money.

“More than a Tet” poster. Photo courtesy of Saigon Outcast

The event is scheduled to take place from noon to 8 p.m. on Feb. 3 at Saigon Outcast, situated at 188/1 Nguyen Van Huong Street, District 2.

Sunday roast all-you-can-eat

Every Sunday, the Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon invites diners to savor their “Sunday Roast All You Can Eat” experience.

The menu features a wide range of roasted dishes, including pork belly, whole beef rib, chicken, legs of lamb, and seabass. These dishes are accompanied by an assortment of gravies, sauces, Yorkshire pudding, and other side dishes.

Roasted meat and potatoes are maintained hot at the Sunday roast buffet. Photo courtesy of Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon

The menu is available from noon to 2:30 p.m., priced at VND700,000 ($28) per guest, excluding beverages. The venue is Viet Kitchen on the G Floor of Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon, at 8-15 Ton Duc Thang Street, District 1.

Book exchange

The supermarket chain Annam Gourmet will host a two-day book sharing event where people can share, swap, and donate books. The event will feature selected books, publications from the local community, various artworks like paintings, a book exchange, and engaging activities in partnership with local artists.

The event will occur at two locations over two days. Visitors have the opportunity to drop off books at Annam Gourmet Thao Dien, situated at 41 Thao Dien Street in District 2, on Feb. 2 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will also take place at Annam Gourmet Riverpark Premier, located at 64-70 Nguyen Duc Canh Street in District 7, on Feb. 3, during the same hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Painting workshop “A Night of Love”

The “Valentine Paint and Sip Workshop: A Night of Love” is an art event dedicated to the upcoming Valentine’s Day celebration. The February event theme is inspired from Gustav Klimt’s artwork, “The Kiss.”

Participants will be shown how to draw their own versions of famous artworks at the workshop. Photo courtesy of Kloud Art

The workshop provides participants with all the necessary tools and materials, including a canvas, palette, acrylic paint, paintbrush, and an apron. Participants will be served a complimentary glass of wine.

The workshop will be held from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on both Feb. 3 and 4. The location of the workshop is set at Studio Kloud Art, at SH.01, Aqua 1, Vinhomes Golden River in District 1. Ticket prices are set at VND500,000 ($20.50) with wine included or VND450,000 without wine.

Flamenco night and Tet celebration

Sofitel Saigon Plaza presents a weekend of rhythmic festivities, showcasing two events, “Flamenco Night” and a “Lunar’s DJ Night” at its cocktail bar, the Ministry of Men.

“Lunar’s DJ Night” poster. Photo courtesy of Ministry of Men

On Feb. 2, attendees have the option to join “Flamenco Magic” from 9 p.m. to midnight, highlighted by a live DJ performance featuring a fusion of Flamenco and Latin beats. The events persist on Feb. 3 with “Lunar’s DJ Night”, also running from 9 p.m. to midnight, presenting a celebration of Vietnamese Tet with beats.

The two events are hosted at the Ministry of Men, on the 3rd floor of Sofitel Saigon Plaza, 17 Le Duan Street, District 1.