Weekend entertainment activities in HCM City

Empire City, Thu Thiem new urban area, District 2

The Techcombank HCMC International Marathon is scheduled for November 26 in HCMC, with around 6,000 local and international athletes attending, according to a statement posted on the website vn.marathonhcmc.com.

Organized by the HCMC Department of Tourism in partnership with the Athletics Federation of HCM City and Technological and Commercial Joint Stock Bank (Techcombank), the event features 42km, 21km and 10 km runs for amateur and professional participants.

The first-ever international marathon will start at the historic Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden, followed by a route through the city’s landmarks before finishing at the new urban area of Thu Thiem.

The event is aimed to improve physical fitness, build a healthy lifestyle and create a playground for locals and expats.

Before the main event on November 26, children aged between six and 14 years old can register for the Kid’s Run from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on November 25 at Empire City in Thu Thiem new urban area in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 2.
Moreover, a photo exhibition showcasing cultural, tourism and sporting events of the city is on at Empire City from November 23 to 25.

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

On the occasion of weekend holidays, book enthusiasts can spend a little time dropping by the book street on Nguyen Van Binh Street in District 1, HCMC to participate in the “Reading Day” program at 8:30 a.m. this Sunday morning.

The event is an effort by the management board for the book street and District 1’s Communist Youth League to promote reading among local youth and children and create a healthy playground for kids after school.

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

Within the framework of the European Music Festival lasting 17 days, the Bay Collective, an open music project by Vietnamese-Danish pianist Tri Minh and Danish singer/songwriter Nay Ruby, will join forces with Vietnamese singer Thanh Lam and Danish award-winning musician/singer Michael Moller to hit the city stage at the HCMC Conservatory of Music in District 1, HCMC at 8 p.m. this Friday, November 24.

The Bay Collective has gained popularity after its debut album “Landscape”. During the music festival, the group will bring a harmonious combination of sweet melodies of music, and raise public awareness on environmental protection. 

In addition, Quintet Inattendu from Wallonia-Brussels/Belgium are expected to show up at the venue to stage a fantastic performance composed by Jean-Luc Fafchamps for the first time, characterized by the convergence of eastern and western cultures at 8 p.m. this Sunday.

Inspired by Vietnamese legendary love story “Hon vong phu” (The mountain of the woman who waits for her husband), the concert is a combination of traditional Vietnamese and contemporary European music.

Audiences will have a chance to see traditional Vietnamese and European musical instruments such as dan bau (one-stringed Vietnamese zither), dan nhi (Vietnamese two-chord fiddle), clarinet or saxophone.
The music concert is supported by the Wallonia-Brussels Delegation to Vietnam and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Belgium-Vietnam.

Institute of Cultural Exchange with France (Idecaf), 28 Le Thanh Ton Street, District 1

Enthusiasts of French films should drop by Idecaf to watch French adventure movie “Belle et Sebastien” (Vietnamese name: Tinh ban bat diet) directed by Nicolas Vanier at 3 p.m. this Saturday.

Based on the novel of the same name by Cécile Aubry, the movie tells a touching story about the close friendship between an orphaned child namely Sébastien and his lovely dog Belle and conveys the message of love and sympathy for animals abandoned or getting lost. 

Movie tickets are on sale at Idecaf at the price of VND50,000. Students of Idecaf pay only VND40,000.
The film is dubbed in Vietnamese with English subtitles.

Those interested can visit www.institutfrancais-vietnam.com/vi/ho-chi-minh/chuong-trinh-ho-chi-minh/dien-anh-chuong-trinh-ho-chi-minh/belle-va-sebastien-tinh-ban-bat-diet-5/.

The Lighthouse: 104 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, District 1, HCM City

French DJ and producer Voiski, one of the emerging artists in the world of techno music in France, will stage a gig at the Lighthouse in District 1, HCMC at 9 p.m. this Friday, November 24. 

A representative of the French Institute in HCM City told the Daily in an email that the music show is a joint effort between Heart Beat Saigon, a HCMC-based group of DJs from different countries, and the French Institute in Vietnam to bring French music and culture closer to the public.

There is a free entrance before 10 p.m. Attendees will be charged VND100,000 each afterwards.