HA NOI

Discover the city with Friends of Vietnam

Join Friends of Vietnam Heritage (FVH) for a city walk to discover the Dong Xuan wholesale market on Saturday, May 19. The English-speaking two-hour excursion will start at 9.30pm. Contact Sue at sue.jacka@gmail.com

The FVH will also conduct a Japanese-speaking excursion to Van Mieu (Temple of Literature) at 9.30am on Wednesday, May 23, and a French-speaking visit to Ha Noi's suburban bronze-casting village of Dong Son at 11.30am on Thursday, May 24. To register for the excursions, contact Yoshiko Tomiyama at herijapan@yahoo.co.jp and Nicole at nicole.nicolemaillard@gmail.com, respectively.

FVH is an informal group of Ha Noi residents from many countries working voluntarily to promote and preserve Vietnamese cultural and historical heritage.

Fest presents diversity of European food

EuroCham's greatest social event in 2012 – European Food Festival – will take place on the garden grounds of Viet Nam's National Library, 31 Trang Thi Street on Saturday, May 26.

In addition to a variety of unique European culinary experiences, the event promises to be a fun day out for all family members and friends with exciting games and activities for children as well as live entertainment of en-vogue bands in town.

With the presence of Ha Noi's favourite restaurants and hospitality providers, a broad variety of European dishes and specialities will be available for foodies, such as paella, beef zurichoise with spatzle, Metropole's Chef Pate in Clay Pot, Italian lasagna, spaghetti Bolognese and lots of assorted baguettes and pizzas. In addition, the Hungarian Embassy will join the festival for the first time with free tastings of Hungarian food and sparkling wine.

Tickets are available at EuroCham Ha Noi office, Pane e Vino Restaurant at 3 Nguyen Khac Can Street, or at the gate on the day. Ticket price is VND280,000 including nine coupons for food, beer and drinks of all kinds. Entrance is free for children under 10.

HCM CITY

Ball to help fund surgery for poor kids

A charity ball called Passionate Kiss at Moulin Rouge will be held at the Sheraton Saigon Hotel in HCM City on Saturday, June 2, to raise funds for providing disadvantaged children with free surgeries for various ailments including congenital defects.

The annual fund raising event, based on the famous cabaret in Paris as well as an Oscar winning Hollywood musical, will include a luxury banquet, a can can dance performance, a special game called Most Romantic Couple and a lucky draw that offers "fantastic prizes", organisers said in a press release.

The guests will pay US$150 each to attend the event, with a 10 per cent discount offered to those who buy 10 or more tickets. In addition to buying tickets, guests can make additional charitable contributions by buying items auctioned at this event, or register as a silver, golden or platinum sponsor.

Tickets can be booked at (08) 54 11 33 33, ext. 1067, or via email at phung.le@fvhospital.com.

Mozart's Requiem to hit Music Conservatory

The International Choir and Orchestra of HCM City will organise a concert featuring Mozart's Requiem at the city's Music Conservatory on May 25 and 26.

Tickets ranging from VND200,000 to 500,000 are available at the conservatory, and Mekong Merchant at 23 Thao Dien Street in District 2. Tickets can also be booked online at www.hcmcchoir.com.

Proceeds from the event will go to support Poussiers de Vie (Dust of Life) and Loreto Vietnam-Australia Foundation.

Art auction, dinner to raise funds for operations

The Operation Smile charity will host an art auction and gala dinner at the Park Hyatt Hotel Saigon on May 26 to raise funds that will help disadvantaged Vietnamese children born with facial deformities to receive free surgeries.

The event includes a gala dinner, live and silent auctions, raffle prizes, and live music.

Tickets cost VND2.6 million per person.