Arts & Culture - Saigoneer

"Creative Improvisation" Workshop @ Steinway & Sons Exclusive Gallery

2026-01-16T16:02:42+07:00

Have you ever wondered how to transcend the written notes on a page and find your own "voice" on the piano keys?

Whether you are a dedicated classical artist or a lover of the free-spirited melodies of Jazz and Pop, the "Creative Improvisation" workshop is a dedicated space for you to explore new musical mindsets. Led by Prof. Dr. Laurens Patzlaff – expert in Piano Improvisation from the Freiburg University of Music (Germany) and Pianist Phuong Nhi Nguyen, this workshop will help you:

Refine your interpretive skills for a deeper connection with the music.
Discover freedom and flexibility in improvisational techniques.
Build confidence when exploring new sonic ideas.

This workshop is designed for piano artists, experienced long term pianists, and piano students at an intermediate to advanced level. No prior improvisation experience is required.

Participants: Pianists at an intermediate level and above

Ticket Prices:
• Standard ticket: 700,000 VND (tea break included)
• Student ticket (music conservatories and music schools): 350,000 VND

For support, please contact Steinway Vietnam Hotline: 090 965 3669

Register here: https://www.steinway.vn/news/Workshop-Creative-Improvisation

Schedule:
18:30 - 19:00: Check in & Spirio Hours | 19:00: Workshop begins

NOTE: Smart casual attire is required. Children under 8 years old are not permitted.

MEET THE ARTISTS

About Prof. Dr. Laurens Patzlaff

Laurens Patzlaff (born 1981 near Stuttgart) is a German pianist, improviser, and educator. Following the release of his debut album Reflections on Debussy (2012), Deutschlandfunk described him as a “master of the art of improvisation.”

After graduating with distinction from the music academies of Stuttgart and Madrid, he has performed internationally, including at the Wiener Musikverein and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Since 2008, piano improvisation has been central to his artistic and pedagogical work. In 2024, he was appointed Professor of Piano Improvisation and Applied Piano at the Freiburg University of Music at the age of 30.

Improvisation has shaped Patzlaff’s artistic path from an early age. Alongside the classical piano repertoire, he explores stylistic and free improvisation as well as jazz. He views the piano as an interdisciplinary instrument and embraces a holistic understanding of music.

About Pianist Phương Nhi Nguyễn

Phương Nhi Nguyễn is a pianist, educator, and composer. She studied in the Elementary Piano program at the Vietnam National Academy of Music until the age of 11.

Subsequently, she moved to Germany and was admitted to the "Young Student" (Jungstudium) program majoring in Piano Performance at the Folkwang University of the Arts in Essen—making her the first and only Vietnamese student accepted into this prestigious program at the time.

She attended the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts, majoring in Music Education for Secondary Schools (Lehramt Gymnasium Musik), while also minoring in Orchestral Conducting.

22nd January 2026

6:30PM - 9:00PM

Steinway & Sons Exclusive Gallery (6F 01, 6th Floor) | Cresent Mall, 101 Tôn Dật Tiên, Tân Mỹ Ward, HCMC

Plant Lovers Festival 2026 Special Edition: Receive Free Plants! @ Gia Định Park

2026-01-16T15:51:38+07:00

The end of the year is always a time when we want to do something truly meaningful for ourselves and our families. And this year, you will have a special opportunity: to plant with your own hands a large timber tree, a fruit tree, or a flowering tree that you love, using seedlings that are given completely free of charge.

For the first time, Gaia is organizing a special edition of the Love Trees Festival, where every participant can receive free trees (each tree comes with detailed instructions on how to plant and care for it). A small green gift to close the year beautifully and open a new year full of growth, joy, and happiness.

Love Trees Festival 2026 is where you and your family and friends can stroll through the park, touch tree trunks, discover their names, ages, and “superpowers,” immerse yourselves in the magic of nature, then gently bring home a seedling you love and plant it yourself, opening a wonderful new year with your own treasure of greenery. 1,000 LARGE TIMBER TREES, FRUIT TREES, AND FLOWERING TREES will be given away for free at this Love Trees Festival.

The Love Trees Festival brings not only joy, but also an opportunity to reconnect with nature, so that everyone can sow more green seeds and spread the love for forests and trees right in the heart of the city.

WONDERFUL LOVE TREES EXPERIENCES

Receive a challenge handbook and show your knowledge and love for trees
Learn about fascinating tree species at Gia Định Park
Explore Gaia forests
Compare your height with the Lim tree in the forest
Create colorful nature artworks on paper, on sand, and more
Tree seeds – tiny yet containing enormous potential
Discover the creatures that live together on trees
Hug trees and send your love to them
Forest bathing and blending into the magical flow of nature

Note: Forest bathing in the city is only organized for adults who have registered in advance.

GET FREE TREES FOR A NEW YEAR FULL OF GROWTH AND PROSPERITY:

At the Love Trees Festival 2026, Gaia will give away 1,000 seedlings COMPLETELY FREE, including large timber trees, fruit trees, and flowering trees. The quantity of each type is limited.

You will only receive free trees from Gaia if you meet all four conditions below:

The seedling has not yet been claimed by anyone.
The area where you plan to plant the tree is suitable for the type of tree you wish to grow.
You have placed a deposit of 50K per tree. (This deposit will be refunded when you receive your seedling at the Love Trees Festival.)
You come to Gia Định Park and personally receive the tree to take home and plant. You may also ask someone else to pick it up for you, or use ride-hailing or delivery services to receive the tree on your behalf if you wish.

Important notes:

The maximum number of free trees you can receive is: 05 TREES.
If you wish to receive from 06 to 10 trees, please contribute trees to the “Chung sức trồng rừng” (Joining Hands to Plant Forests) Program with a cost of 50K per tree. The number of trees you contribute will correspond to the number of additional trees you want to receive. Gaia will plant trees through the “Chung sức trồng rừng” program: bit.ly/chungsuctrongrung, and you will still receive trees to take home and plant.
For example, if you want to receive 9 trees, your first 5 trees are completely free. For the next 4 trees, you need to contribute 4 trees to the “Chung sức trồng rừng” program at a cost of 50K per tree, meaning you will contribute 200K in total.
If you wish to receive 11 trees or more, please contact Gaia for support.

LOVE TREES FESTIVAL INFORMATION

Love Trees Festival activities: 8:00AM – 11:30AM
Forest tree receiving time: 9:30AM – 12:30PM
Location: Gia Định Park (Zone A), Đức Nhuận Ward, HCMC
Participants: Around 100 people including families and young people
Information: bit.ly/yeucay26
Registration: bit.ly/yeucay26-dk
Registration deadline: 18th January 2026, or when slots are full, or when all trees have been given away.
Cost: The program is designed to be completely FREE for the community, in a non-profit spirit. However, to confirm your participation and help us prepare the program in the best way, please make a deposit transfer including:
Deposit for attending the festival: 100K per person (including children)
Deposit for receiving trees: 50K per tree (maximum 10 trees)

Note: The deposit will be refunded immediately at Gia Định Park whenever you complete the tasks, decide not to continue participating, or after you have received your trees.

25th January 2026

8:00AM – 12:30PM

Gia Định Park (Zone A), Đức Nhuận Ward, HCMC

Một Tay Nải Xanh - Kilala Mottainai Day @ Paper & I

2026-01-16T14:51:45+07:00

“Mottainai – 勿体無い” is understood as the practice of preventing waste through saving, reusing, and recycling resources, with gratitude for everything around us at its core. Originating from ancient Japanese wisdom, Mottainai has in recent years spread across the world as a gentle yet profound message to modern society, reminding us to cherish resources and respect the Earth.

What can we do with items that are no longer in use, with objects that are “wounded” and left lying quietly in a corner of the room? How can small changes in our personal lifestyles help reduce the burden on the planet?

With the return of “Một Tay Nải Xanh – Kilala Mottainai Day” in January 2026, we invite you to join Kilala on a journey to explore the Green Stations. At each station, you will find simple and creative suggestions and solutions that help all of us easily practice a green lifestyle in the spirit of Mottainai in our daily lives.

Blending into the atmosphere of the approaching spring, there will also be many cheerful activities to welcome the Lunar New Year of Bính Ngọ.

Bring your “tay nải” (traditional basket bag) and go green together with Kilala at Một Tay Nải Xanh – Kilala Mottainai Day, 4th edition.

Check-in at the Green Stations:

Green Station “Change of Ownership”: Find a loving new owner for old items
Green Station “Upgrade”: Leaf and flower printing workshop
Green Station “Fixing Mistakes”: “Heal” clothes and shoes
Green Station “Green Market”: Choose green, live healthy
Green Station “Smile Point”: Have unlimited fun with traditional Japanese games
Green Station “Collection”: Gather used batteries, nylon, and old clothes
Green Station “Tết Craft”: Make your own New Year cards and lucky envelopes

All revenue from the Green Station “Change of Ownership” will be donated to PanNature to support nature conservation activities.

Free entrance registration: https://luma.com/hkwy2ymh
Workshop registration for Leaf and Flower Printing: https://forms.gle/NpdPNUM1Zohp6wpy9

24th January - 25th January 2026

8:30AM - 5:30PM

Paper & I | 152 Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa Street, Sài Gòn Ward, HCMC

Concert "Cảm" @ MAI Garden Acoustic Coffee

2026-01-15T23:28:28+07:00

Are you all ready???

The rock/metal show “CẢM” is not just a performance, but a space where emotions are unleashed, where power, chaos, and spirit can be realized through rock.

“CẢM” is a show launching NHẠO's debut EP, in collaboration with our close friends: music clubs and rock/metal bands in Saigon.

Come to a space where we see ourselves, through many layers of tension.

See you at the stage.

Early Bird: <Coming Saturday – 03.01>
Combo Merch + Online Ticket: <Coming Sunday – 04.01>
Merch-only: <Coming Sunday – 04.01>
At door: 250,000 VND

ONLY 200 TICKETS!!!

24th January 2026

5:00PM - 10:00PM

MAI Garden Acoustic Coffee | 28 Nguyễn Xí Street, Bình Thạnh Ward, HCMC

Queen Of Cups: Lessons of Luỵ, Lost and Love From Ace of Cups @ Shout Saigon

2026-01-15T22:21:42+07:00

BabeL shares a love story both personal and universal — told through Drag, Theatre, Live Singing, Original Poetry and Rap.

Step into moments of passion, youth, sexuality, self-doubt and raw confessions. Let emotions and colored lights guide you through the beautiful mess we call “love”.

This intimate night won’t just entertain, it hopes to encourage you to discover new ways of seeing, embracing, sharing and practicing love.

Queen of Cups is part of the "Ace of Cups" project, where art hopes to offer you new perspectives on love through Drag, Poetry, and Film. Follow BabeL Production for the latest updates on the project!

Tickets are limited — DM BabeL to secure yours today!
Saturday, Jacn 24th, 8:30 PM (Doors) - 9:30 PM (Show)
Shout Saigon, 69 Nguyen Cu, An Khanh Ward, HCMC
General: 200k | At Door: 250k (Includes 1 drink)
Ages 16+ only.

24th January 2026

8:30PM

Shout Saigon | 69 Nguyễn Cừ, An Khánh Ward, HCMC

Life Drawing @ Soma Saigon

2026-01-15T21:26:48+07:00

Come and enjoy two hours of relaxing Life Drawing with our wonderful Capturing Form Life drawing community, at Soma in Thao Dien.

20th January 2026

7:00PM - 9:00PM

Soma Saigon | 6 Lê Văn Miến Street, An Khánh Ward, HCMC

Goût tui Cré | Tết Pop Up Series | Tết Tote Bag @ Le Café des Stagiaires

2026-01-15T20:28:13+07:00

Design and embroider your own New Year tote inspired by Japanese Sashiko Embroidery. Whether you're a beginner or simply love crafting, you’ll walk away with a personalized tote perfect for Tết outings, gifting, or adding a creative touch to your celebration.

No experience needed, just bring your curiosity and good vibes.

Introducing our Tết Workshop Series, where handcrafted traditions meet modern creativity. This year, we celebrate renewal through mindful making: stitching, mending, reusing, and imagining materials into meaningful Tết keepsakes.

* Visual credit: Futoshi Namba.

Phí/ Fee: 650,000 VND/người, bao gồm nguyên vật liệu và đồ uống trong suốt buổi workshop/ includes all materials and refreshments

Special offer:

5% off for groups of 2 people
10% off for groups of 4 people or more

Each session is capped at 15 people for a cozy, guided experience.

Sew, Sip & Sustain with Goût tui Cré!

25th January 2026

4:00PM - 7:00PM

Le Café des Stagiaires | No.8-10 Street 54, An Khánh Ward, HCMC

Piano Recital: A Glimpse of Vienna @ Arts and Literature Center

2026-01-13T15:32:12+07:00

If Vienna is the beating heart of classical music, then “A Glimpse of Vienna” seeks to capture two of its most resonant pulses. This concert does not aspire to retrace the entirety of history, but rather offers a refined excursion - a dialogue across time between two musical titans: Joseph Haydn and Franz Schubert. One, the radiant pioneer of the Classical era and the "First Viennese School"; the other, the figure who brought it to a close while ushering in the glorious Romantic age.

Through the artistry and storytelling of pianist Vo Bao Lac Nhan, the audience will be guided into two contrasting, yet magnificently harmonious, realms of emotion.

There is Haydn - the "Father of the Symphony" - represented here by his most exemplary Sonatas. Whether in the radiant Major keys (Sonata No. 39) or the contemplative Minor keys (Sonatas No. 47 & 53), his music retains an eternal grace, harmony, and rationality.

There is Schubert - the "King of Lieder" - the dreamy wanderer who transformed the piano into a sanctuary for his deepest introspections. In the Variations (Op. 142) and the complete set of four Impromptus (Op. 90), rigid structures seem to recede, yielding to freedom, fragility, and an overflowing inner beauty.

SCG cordially invites you to witness this magical intersection. If Haydn brings the serenity of order, Schubert will awaken the deepest vibrations within our souls.

Piano Recital: A Glimpse of Vienna (Võ Bảo Lạc Nhân)

Register online: https://quickom.net/event/5643
Suggested donation: 200.000 VNĐ
Priority seating (Rows 1-5) is available for donors. Reservations are held until 10 minutes before the concert. Please arrive early to secure your preferred seat.

23rd January 2026

7:30PM - 9:30PM

Arts and Literature Center | 1st Floor, 81 Trần Quốc Thảo, Xuân Hòa Ward, HCMC

Tết Fair 2026 - Vietnamese Tết Market @ Q2 Terrace

2026-01-13T15:13:45+07:00

Amid modern city life, the vibrant Tet market continues to preserve the warmth and beauty of traditional values.

Tet Fair 2026 – Vietnamese Tet Market offers a thoughtfully curated space where traditional Tet is reimagined with a modern, gentle, and approachable touch.

Visitors can enjoy:

Tet collections & curated gifts
Art & handmade creations
International cuisine
Live music & creative workshops

Join Weekend Hub to experience a Tet market that blends tradition with contemporary spirit, and welcome the Lunar New Year with family and friends.

We look forward to welcoming you.

For vendors, register via the link below: https://tally.so/r/Xxr7LO.

23th January - 25th January 2026

9:00AM – 9:00PM

Q2 Terrace | 21 Võ Trường Toản Street, An Khánh Ward, HCMC

A Solo Exhibition by Lại Thanh Dũng - 'Tán Nguyệt' @ Lotus Gallery

2026-01-13T14:42:22+07:00

Graduating from the Lacquer Painting Department of Hue University of Arts in 2006, artist Lại Thanh Dũng went through a period of experimentation across materials and themes before choosing Huế as the central subject of his practice and lacquer as his primary medium.

Rather than pursuing the ornate splendor commonly associated with traditional red-and-gold lacquer, Dũng opts for a restrained palette. His compositions foreground the meticulousness of individual hand-carved lines, gliding across monochrome inlays of silver and gold leaf. It is precisely this technique that lends solidity and gravitas to the canopies of Wutong trees—a recurring image throughout Tán Nguyệt, his upcoming solo exhibition at Lotus Gallery.

Within the works, Wutong tree canopies unfold along curves, breaks, and twists of branches that extend in all directions. Layer upon layer interlock and support one another, forming a dense, stratified structure.

In East Asian tradition, the Wutong tree is revered as a regal flower—the place where the phoenix alights—symbolizing immortality, virtue, and authority. In the context of Huế’s imperial citadel, it stands as a noble emblem of the Nguyễn Dynasty. Beneath the Wutong trees, the Imperial City emerges solemn and imposing. Even where life has long withdrawn, the spiritual gravity of this sacred land remains undeniable.

Moving further, traces of human presence appear with quiet humility, nearly dissolving into an expansive, boundless void—no more than a speck within a veil of silvery mist. This is the dim, drifting light of the moon. It filters through the foliage, spreads across the water’s surface, blankets the citadel walls, and ultimately merges into the landscape.

In ‘Beneath the Moon’s Canopy’, moonlight acts as a conduit, allowing fragments from different dimensions to surface together. Neither entirely real nor wholly imagined, this suspended state echoes a lingering sensation in the collective subconscious of many Vietnamese urban dwellers—a sense of something once possessed, held in shared memory, yet no longer fully intact.

“Whose boat is moored at the moonlit riverbank? Will it carry the moon back in time tonight?”

The exhibition’s opening will be at 17:00 Jan 16th 2026 then last until Feb 8th 2026.

Lotus Gallery is looking forward to seeing you all at the opening.

16th January - 8th February 2026

9:00AM - 6:00PM

Lotus Gallery | 12-13 N1, Tân Thuận Export Processing Zone, Tân Thuận Ward, HCMC

Ghibli Concert: When I Remember This Life @ Hoà Bình Theater

2026-01-13T14:22:55+07:00

For the first time, CAM Philharmonic brings the world of Ghibli to the biggest stage ever with “When I Remember This Life,” featuring 60 symphony orchestra musicians.

We, 8 the Theatre, believe that when you sit in this concert, you will find yourself reflected in the characters of Ghibli.

It may be the childhood that once wished to grow up quickly. Or an adult version of yourself that once forgot how to hold on to what you truly believed in.

TRACKLIST:

Arrietty’s Song (The Secret World of Arrietty)
Fine On The Outside (When Marnie Was There)
Ask Me Why (The Boy and the Heron)
Sayonara no Natsu (From Up on Poppy Hill)
Hikoukigumo / Vapor Trail (The Wind Rises)
Spinning Globe (The Boy and the Heron)
Take Me Home, Country Roads (Whisper of the Heart)
Kaze ni Naru (The Cat Returns)
The Rose (Only Yesterday)
Rouge no Dengon (Kiki’s Delivery Service)
Yasashisa ni Tsutsumareta Nara (Kiki’s Delivery Service)
Le Temps des cerises (Porco Rosso)
Teru’s Song (Tales from Earthsea)
Breakfast Song (From Up on Poppy Hill)
Anytime, Anyone (Pom Poko)
Departure (Kiki’s Delivery Service)
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (Symbol Theme Song)
Sheeta's Decision (Castle in the Sky)
Ue wo Muite Arukou / Sukiyaki (From Up on Poppy Hill)
Que Sera Sera (My Neighbors the Yamadas)

Tickets: https://8thetheatre.com/tc-events/cam-philharmonic-wirtl-sai-gon-21-01-2026/.

21st January - 22nd January 2026

8:00PM - 10:00PM

Hoà Bình Theater | 240 3/2 Street, Hoà Hưng Ward, HCMC

Saigon Craft Beer Festival @ Nexus Square

2026-01-12T09:36:48+07:00

Global Hops, Local Pours, One Wild Weekend!

Get ready to taste your way through the best of Vietnam’s craft breweries. From juicy IPAs and funky sours to smooth wheat beers, you drink, you vote, and we crown the People’s Champions in each category.

Fuel up with winning burgers, small bites, and desserts built to pair with cold beer. Challenge your friends at beer pong, throwing games, and shot challenges.

Brewer Booths: Sample a wide variety of craft beers from brewers Turtle Lake Brewing Company / Tê Tê Brewing / East West Brewing / Koraï / Mixtape Drinks and more.

Delicious Bites: Enjoy crowd-favorite burgers and other tasty pairings by Le Méridien Saigon / Bon - Asian Soul Kitchen / Soul Burger.
Live Music: DJ crews stage take-overs.
Game Zone: Participate in beer-themed games and friendly challenges.
People’s Choice Awards: Cast your vote for the best brews of the festival.

Below are the tickets at the door:
All tickets come with one (1) free Limited Edition beer glass.
Saturday, 17.1.2026 (110k)
Sunday, 18.1.2026 (80k)

Event Link: www.facebook.com/events/1901919447424635

Grab your tickets and vendor spots now: https://megatix.vn/events/saigon-craft-beer-festival-2026.

17th January - 18th January 2026

12:00PM - 10:00PM

Nexus Square | 3A-3B Tôn Đức Thắng Street, Sài Gòn Ward, HCMC

Speaking Truth to Power: Philip Jones Griffiths @ Fulbright University Vietnam

2026-01-07T15:22:19+07:00

To start off the new year and Spring semester, the Vietnam Studies Center (VSC) warmly invites you to the first talk of our Spring 2026 The World Beyond a Book series, hosted by poet and journalist Paul Christiansen.

Speaking Truth to Power: Philip Jones Griffiths
Speaker: David Drake
Time: Thursday, 8 January 2026 | 11:30–13:00
Venue: Common Area, Floor 2, Fulbright University Vietnam
Registration: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/utTwpbm4gt

A limited number of bánh mì will be available for registered participants.
Copies of the book will be available for purchase on site.

This talk traces Philip Jones Griffiths’s rise from humble beginnings to becoming a world-renowned Magnum photographer, with particular focus on his 35 years of work in Vietnam. Over a five-decade photographic career, Jones Griffiths visited more than 130 countries, using his camera to expose social injustice, the horrors and human suffering of war, and the dangers of fascism and authoritarian regimes.

Philip Jones Griffiths believed that photography owes its status to its unique ability to capture the defining moments of human existence with clarity and moral force. He described his life’s mission as “to spread light on the dark shadows of the world,” a conviction that made him articulate, outspoken, and fearless in speaking truth to power and holding authority to account.

Beyond his skill and integrity as a documentary photographer, Jones Griffiths was also a gifted storyteller, able to captivate audiences through compelling narrative. For this reason, his work—and the light it sheds on the human condition—continues to resonate powerfully today, particularly in these troubled times.

About the speaker
David Drake is an independent writer and curator who has curated over 500 exhibitions and published 32 photobooks featuring work from five continents. His recent work focuses on photography and contemporary art in the Middle East and North Africa, including curating the RANEEN Festival (Muscat, 2024) and Shifting Sands exhibitions in Spain, following his receipt of the PHotoESPAÑA–Casa Árabe NUR Award (2023). Drake was Director of Ffotogallery, the national photography agency of Wales (2008–2022), and Festival Director of Diffusion: Wales International Festival of Photography between 2013 and 2021.

We warmly welcome faculty, students, researchers, and members of the wider community to join us for this conversation, and to begin the new year together with reflection, dialogue, and shared learning.

8th January 2025

11:30AM - 1:00PM

Common Area, Floor 2, Fulbright University Vietnam | 105 Tôn Dật Tiên Street, Tân Mỹ Ward, HCMC

Eric Small & Carina Helen @ Nimbus Rooftop

2026-01-05T13:58:27+07:00

Eric Small & Carina Helen at Nimbus Rooftop

We’re excited to welcome Norwegian DJ duo Eric Small & Carina Helen to Nimbus Rooftop for a special night of deep, hypnotic grooves and long-form storytelling.

The duo will play an extended 4-hour set, moving fluidly through techno, house, minimal, psychedelic textures, and deep rolling rhythms. Expect music that breathes, evolves, and pulls you into the moment rather than rushing it. Supporting the night are our residents Aaron Storm and Schwarzeseis, setting the tone and guiding the journey before and after the duo’s extended session.

About the artists

Eric Small is a true veteran of the underground. Active since the late 80s, he is the founder of Small Records (Oslo) and known for his timeless blend of techno, house, and minimal with deep groove at the core. Over the years, he has played across Ibiza, Berlin, Miami, Barcelona, and beyond, sharing booths with legends like John Digweed, Damian Lazarus, and Pig & Dan. His sets are raw, hypnotic, and built for dancers who like to lose track of time.

Carina Helen has been a key figure in Oslo’s electronic scene since the early 2000s. Her sound moves between psychedelic techno, minimal tech-house, and deep house, always guided by emotion, groove, and connection. Alongside Eric, she curates Smallcast, a respected underground mix series, and co-runs Small Records, helping nurture a global community of artists and selectors.

Together, Eric and Carina bring decades of shared experience, chemistry, and musical trust behind the decks. Their back-to-back sets are known for feeling intimate, powerful, and deeply human.

Join us on the rooftop for a night that’s less about hype and more about groove, depth, and connection. Skyline views, open air, and a long journey through sound.

Lineup
Eric Small & Carina Helen (NO)
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/eric-small
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericsmall_carinahelen/
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/carina-helen
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericsmall_carinahelen/

Aaron Storm
Schwarzeseis

10th January 2026

7:00PM

Nimbus Rooftop | 37 Hoàng Văn Thụ Street, Phú Nhuận Ward, HCMC

Frequency Friday: January Residency - Vers de Société @ Alibi

2026-01-05T13:50:09+07:00

Frequency Friday: January Residency — Vers de Société

We’re starting the year strong at Alibi with a fresh sound for January’s Friday Frequency — welcome Vers de Société to our monthly residency series.

Based in Saigon, this five-piece band brings together the talents of Wilson Howley, Anisha Pradhan, Mark Massey, Nick Waters, and Animal. With two main songwriters at the helm, their contrasting styles collide to create music that’s exciting, diverse, and unmistakably original — expect dynamic shifts, unexpected moments, and a live set that keeps you locked in from start to finish.

Catch Vers de Société every Friday this January from 8PM. Free entry, open mic energy, and carefully crafted live music to ease you into the weekend the right way. New year, new frequency — see you at Alibi.

9th January 2026

8:00PM - 11:45PM

Alibi - Bar & Bites | 93C Võ Văn Tần Street, Xuân Hoà Ward, HCMC

Workshop: Japanese Calligraphy & Tea Meditation @ Wu Wei

2026-01-05T13:39:56+07:00

Ink & Sip is a collaboration that brings together the art of Japanese calligraphy and the practice of tea meditation.

This offers participants an opportunity to turn their attention inward through the doorway of calligraphy.

Japanese calligraphy invites us to notice the subtle details that often go unnoticed in our daily lives. This practice helps unlock the finer aspects of our senses and subconscious mind, providing a deeper understanding of both the art form and ourselves. By focusing on each brushstroke, we can cultivate a sense of mindfulness and inner stillness.

Our offering is designed to teach the basics of Japanese calligraphy while introducing it as a meditative and spiritual practice. When paired with tea meditation, this session will help you reconnect with the deeper aspects of your being. It is an invitation to come together, turn inward, and explore the depths that are found in the practices of calligraphy and tea.

10th January 2026

6:00PM - 8:30PM

Wu Wei | 2 No.16 Street, An Khánh Ward, HCMC

Tea 101: Holding Space through ceremony @ Wu Wei

2026-01-05T13:33:23+07:00

This workshop focuses on how to host simple tea ceremonies, either for yourself or for others. It is about the atmosphere, the pacing, the presence, and the care you bring to the moment while moving through mindfulness.

We will look at:

• how to set up the space
• how to move slowly and intentionally while preparing tea
• how to guide the focus of the room
• how to support, comfort, and hold space for connection

This session does not cover tea education or the study of tea leaves. The focus is on how to prepare and serve tea in a calm and steady way, rather than learning about tea varieties.

Participants will learn small, repeatable steps for creating a grounded tea moment at home, with friends, or in small group settings.

A practical workshop for:

• slowing your pace
• paying attention to movement
• learning how to hold space through tea
• preparing the space for a tea ceremony
• learning a short guided meditation to open the session and set presence
• using simple question prompts for gentle conversation or reflection
• understanding basic do’s and don’ts when hosting tea for others

7th January 2026

6:00PM - 8:30PM

Wu Wei | 2 No.16 Street, An Khánh Ward, HCMC

'Chiến Mã Xuyên Không' Exhibition @ Layla Café & Bistro

2026-01-02T22:27:18+07:00

On 18.01.2026, the space will fully come to life in an exhibition combined with an Art Fair.

Here, the children will tell their own stories of Time-Traveling Warhorses: Pegasus, Sleipnir, and Bucephalus from world mythology and history; and the Iron Horse of Saint Giong and the Five Sacred Horses of Tay Son, legendary warhorses that carry the spirit of spring and national pride as we welcome the Year of the Horse (Bính Ngọ).

This is the familiar end-of-term project of Cửa Sổ Mặt Trời, where children learn art through experience, emotion, and creativity, so that each artwork becomes a beautiful fragment of childhood memory.

We warmly invite parents and friends near and far to join us and share in the joy!

18th January 2026

8:30AM

Layla Café & Bistro | 251/37/11 Vườn Lài Street, An Phú Đông Ward, HCMC

Free Calligraphy Learning Experience in HCMC @ An Nhiên Calligraphy

2026-01-02T21:56:53+07:00

Have you ever paused for a long moment in front of flowing calligraphy strokes, sensing something quietly beautiful within them – both delicate and peaceful? Or perhaps you are simply looking for a relaxing activity to ease stress after long, demanding working hours?

Calligraphy is not only the art of writing characters, but also an art of living. It teaches us how to slow down, focus on each breath and each brushstroke, and gently reconnect with a sense of inner calm.

FREE “GETTING TO KNOW THE BRUSH” EXPERIENCE SESSION

Location: An Nhiên Calligraphy – 7/2 Tran Van Quang Street, Ward 10, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City
Multiple sessions available throughout the week.

Instructor: A calligraphy artisan with many years of experience and deep dedication.

SESSION CONTENT

1. Getting to know the brush – Learning how to hold the brush correctly and feel the “spirit of the brush” in every stroke.
2. Exploring the four treasures of the study – Brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, the four essential elements that form the soul of calligraphy.
3. Practicing basic strokes – Every line and every breath becomes a form of meditation.
4. Practicing writing characters and bringing your finished work home – as a meaningful first keepsake.

PARTICIPANTS

• Open to all ages from 12 and above.
• No prior experience required – just bring your passion and a love for art.

SPECIAL HIGHLIGHTS

• Completely free, including all learning materials (brush, paper, ink).
• An opportunity to connect with a community of calligraphy and Vietnamese culture enthusiasts in Ho Chi Minh City.

REGISTRATION

Fill in your information to be placed in a suitable class here:
https://byvn.net/pVLf
Hotline support: 0362 209 434

Take a peaceful afternoon for yourself in the heart of Saigon – where each brushstroke is a breath, and each written character is a way of listening to yourself.

8th January 2025

1:00PM - 5:00PM

An Nhiên Calligraphy | 7/2 Trần Văn Quang Street, Bảy Hiền Ward, HCMC

Âm Trì @ Kobe Town

2026-01-02T15:01:16+07:00

Is ÂM sound, or Âm–Dương?
Is TRÌ stagnation, or a deep place beneath the earth?
Is ÂM TRÌ sound being held back, or the underworld of âm?

No answers needed, because this is a place that requires no definitions.

Welcome to #ÂMTRÌ

Line-up:

The Breeze (prog rock)
Thangca (grunge / psy rock)
Bedlam Royals (post metal / stoner rock)

Event details:

Âm Trì, presented by Ethos Collective, Cây Guitar Rỉ, and Kobe Town
Time: 8:30PM - 17/01/2026
Venue: Kobe Town | 448/48 Phạm Văn Đồng Street, Bình Lợi Trung Ward, HCMC

ÂM gathers easily, the wind tends to linger.

Tickets in hand, bring them to the entrance.

17th January 2026

8:30PM

Kobe Town | 448/48 Phạm Văn Đồng Street, Bình Lợi Trung Ward, HCMC