7 things to do in Saigon in November 2022
Just before Mariah Carey defrosts and “All I Want For Christmas Is You” fills Saigon’s streets, there’s still time to try something new in the city.
Here’s a list of our recommended things to do in Saigon for November, so that you can fill up your schedules with fun before getting yourself busy for the end of 2022.
1. Thao Dien Flea Market: 90s edition – get retro items for cheap
Image credit: Saigon Outcast
Located at Saigon Outcast, one of the most popular flea markets renowned for its urban and retro vibes, this month’s Thảo Điền Flea Market will be about everything old school.
Come and peruse an array of nostalgic items, such as vintage clothing, vinyl discs, and camera film, and immerse yourself in iconic Vietnamese beats from the 90s.
While there hasn’t been a lot of information about the event, Thảo Điền Flea Market is often a great place for pictures thanks to being a creative space for local graffiti artists.
Most flea markets here often feature live music and food stalls with a variety of grub to munch on, from savory, saucy grilled meat and vegetables to the sweet, soothing taste of chè.
Price: Free entry
Address: 188/1 Nguyen Van Huong, Thao Dien, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City
Date: Saturday, 12th November 2022
Opening hours: 12pm-8pm
Contacts: 093 183 86 47 | Saigon Outcast’s website | Facebook | Instagram
2. Air-clay workshop – sculpt and paint your favorite characters
Image credit: M’artisan
The 6th November Air-Clay Workshop organized by M’artisan lets you use your hands to craft and design your favorite characters, be it from a film, anime, or video game. Learn how to sculpt, mix paint colors, and bring home your very own hand-made figurine.
Image credit: M’artisan
Tickets will cost VND200,000 (~USD8.04) per person, with bigger discounts the more people there are in your group. However, if you’re going in a group of more than 5 people, be sure to contact the shop so they can set up a space for you.
Make your reservation at the event on their Facebook page.
Price: VND200,000 (~USD8.04)/person, with discounts when attending in groups.
Address: 35P Đặng Tất Street, Tân Định Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Date: 6th November 2022
Time: 9am-6pm
Contact: 088 660 54 98 | M’artisan’s website | Facebook
3. Gánh hàng rong – learn about the lives of local hawkers through artistic eyes
Image credit: Thanh Niên
If you’re interested in learning more about the old life of Vietnam, then come to IDECAF to have a look at the Gánh hàng rong art exhibition for an in-depth look at the culture of Hà Nội’s iconic wandering hawkers.
Gánh hàng rong is a collection of sketches and watercolor paintings made between 1925 and 1929 by students from the Vietnam University of Fine Art and their teacher – Ferdinand de Fénis, with the theme of Hanoian hawkers selling snacks and miscellaneous wares, a familiar sight to most people living in Vietnam.
The exhibition will also feature photographic work of life in Hanoi before the 30s, taken from a collection belonging to the École française d’Extrême-Orient (The French School of the Far East in Paris) – a college in France dedicated to studying Asian culture.
The exhibition is free for all to join and has been open since September. However, this Saturday will be the exhibition’s last day, so make sure to take a quick look if you’re interested in the mundane part of life in Hà Nội depicted in art.
Price: Free
Address: IDECAF, 31 Thái Văn Lung Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Date: Now – Saturday, 5th November 2022
Time: 8am-7pm, daily
4. Yêu Hòa Bình – listen to your favorite Vietnamese artists
Facebook banner of the event
Image credit: Yêu Hòa Bình
Another event for fans of the local music scene is the upcoming Yêu Hòa Bình, a music event centering around the theme of living freely and fully.
The concert features the appearance of some of Vietnam’s most famous artists and groups, including alt-rock trio Cá Hồi Hoang, indie pop band Ngọt, rapper Táo who’s been nicknamed the “Madman”, punk rock trio 7Uppercuts, and upbeat punk rock group Đá Số Tới.
Táo, a rapper famous for his intense MV and soulful lyrics, will appear in the concert.
Image credit: Yêu Hòa Bình
If you would like to go, then book your tickets online as soon as possible, as most of the cheaper tickets have already been sold out as of this writing.
Price: VND 491,000 (~USD19.75)/ticket (category Lề Mề)
Address: Nhà Văn Hóa Thanh Niên No.4 Phạm Ngọc Thạch, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Time: 3pm-10.30pm, Saturday 5th November 2022
Contact: Yêu Hòa Bình’s website | Facebook
5. Sivananda Yoga – stretch your bones and muscles at this free trial lesson
Image credit: Sivananda Yoga
Those prone to developing sore muscles or desperately need to fix their posture should check this out – a 90-minute yoga lesson at Sivananda Yoga, offered free of charge to everyone on the first Saturday of every month.
The yoga center offers two different free sessions depending on whether you’re a total newbie to yoga or already have some experience with the practice., View the schedule here and sign up for a free trial here.
Price: Free
Address: 25 Trần Quý Khoách, Tân Định Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Date: Sunday, 6th November 2022
Time:
- 10am-11.30am for newbies
- 5pm-6.30pm for experienced and English-speaking participants.
Contact: 098 780 54 27 | Sivananda Yoga’s website | Facebook
6. 20th Century Music Concert – immerse yourself in famous classics
Image credit: Saigon Classical Music Group
Fans of classical music or those who want to see what the classical scene looks like might want to check out the upcoming 20th Century Music Concert.
True to the name, the concert will treat you to classic works from 20th-century artists such as John Cage, George Crumb, and Frederic Rzewski, all performed by Vietnamese pianist Lưu Đức Anh.
The tickets for those who reserved early will cost VND700,000 (~USD28.15). Otherwise you will have to buy tickets at the entrance for VND800,000 (~USD32.17). So check in and get your tickets as soon as you can here.
Price: VND700,000 (~USD28.15) for early birds, VND800,000(~USD32.17) for those buying tickets at the entrance.
Address: Amanaki Thảo Điền, 10 Nguyễn Đăng Giai Street, Thảo Điền Ward, Thủ Đức, Hồ Chí Minh City
Date: Saturday, 19th November 2022
Time: 7pm-9.30pm
Contact: Saigon Classical Music Group’s website | Facebook
7. Trần Quan Brothers Archery Club – test your sharpshooting skills
Image credit: Trần Quan Brothers Archery Club
Trần Quang Brothers Archery Club has been a recent go-to place for many new and experienced archers around the city. Having started as a small archery club in the middle of a schoolyard in District 3, they recently opened a new location in District 5, looking to introduce more people to the art of archery.
The club offers both bows and arrows for people of all ages and dominant hands for only a cost of VND80,000 (~USD3.22)/hour . For those who want to become an official member of the club and train themselves for professional tournaments, there is a membership fee of VND800,000 (~USD32.17)/month.
If you’re planning to go and have a try at unleashing your inner Legolas, be sure to follow the club’s safety guidelines.
Price: VND80,000 (~USD3.22)/hour
Address: Trương Quyền Primary School, 946 Trường Sa Street, District 3, Hồ Chí Minh City. Ask the school guard for directions.
Time: 9am-9pm, weekdays | 9am-8.30pm, weekends
Contact: 093 310 75 39 | Trần Quan Brothers’ website | Facebook
Things to do in Saigon in November 2022
2022 feels like a breath of fresh air after the somberness that was 2021, but all good things must come to an end, eventually.
So before celebrating 2023, let’s end the year on a high note with these things to do in Saigon in November 2022, and motivate yourself through some new experiences.
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Cover image adapted from Trần Quang Brothers Archery Club, Sivananda Yoga, M’artisan, and Saigon Outcast.