Work starts on 45-storey building of Saigon Centre By Quoc Hung - The Saigon Times Daily HCMC chairman Le Hoang Quan (C) joins leaders of Keppel Land, Sowatco, Resco, and guests watch an artist’s impression of phase-two development of Saigon Centre in HCMC - Photo: Quoc Hung HCMC – Keppel Land and its joint venture partners, Southern Waterborne and Transportation Corporation (Sowatco) and Saigon Real Estate Corp. (Resco) on Thursday started work on a 45-story apartment, office and retail building in HCMC capitalized at some US$160 million. The phase two of the Saigon Centre complex in the downtown quarter at 65 Le Loi Street, when fully completed in 2015, will provide 50,000 square meters across seven levels of retail and dining spaces, 40,000 square meters of Grade A office space and over 200 units of luxury serviced apartments. Speaking at the ceremony, Choo Chiau Beng, CEO of Keppel Corporation and chairman of Keppel Land, said that since the completion of phase one … [Read more...] about Work starts on 45-storey building of Saigon Centre
Saigon times daily
Infrastructure facilitates housing projects in eastern Saigon
Infrastructure facilitates housing projects in eastern Saigon Dinh Dung By Dinh Dung - The Saigon Times Daily An artist’s impression of Mega Residence townhouses near HCMC-Long Thanh-Dau Giay Expressway and the belt road invested by Khang Dien Co. - Photo: Dinh Dung HCMC – Transport infrastructure is one of the main factors helping property enterprises to market their projects, and projects in eastern Saigon are moving in accordance with the completion of roads crossing the area. Among projects in the area, there has been at least one enterprise - Khang Dien House Trading and Investment Joint Stock Company - preparing to offer products for sale after the first phase of HCMC-Long Thanh-Dau Giay Expressway and the belt road opened to traffic. According to Khang Dien, around 160 adjoining houses of Mega Residence located near the two roads will be offered for sale early next month at a price starting from VND13.5 million per square meter, or some VND1.9 billion … [Read more...] about Infrastructure facilitates housing projects in eastern Saigon
Hotel des Arts Saigon debuts in town
Hotel des Arts Saigon debuts in town Anh Thu By Anh Thu - The Saigon Times Daily HCMC – AccorHotels has announced the grand opening of Hotel des Arts Saigon, a member of the group’s MGallery collection and the fifth AccorHotels property in HCMC. The hotel on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai in HCMC’s District 3 has 168 rooms and suites featuring complimentary WiFi, 50-inch LED TVs and amenities. It has two function rooms for small meetings, banquets or cocktail receptions and can accommodate up to 200 people. Four restaurants and bars at Hotel des Arts Saigon serve a wide range of international dishes and beverages. The hotel offers spa treatments for guests at Le Spa des Artistes. Hotel des Arts Saigon is near Notre Dame Cathedral, the Opera House, the Post Office and other key tourist attractions in HCMC. It is the fifth MGallery in Vietnam, after the ones in Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An and Phu Quoc. “MGallery hotels offer savvy, bold travelers inspiring and singular hotel … [Read more...] about Hotel des Arts Saigon debuts in town
Creating photographs the old way in Saigon
Creating photographs the old way in Saigon The Saigon Times Daily Nowadays, digital cameras have almost pushed film cameras into the oblivion. However, photographer Le Dong, a resident in HCMC, still sticks to his old-fashioned film camera. According to Dong, digital cameras easily create a facile feeling for photographers while it requires a decent knowledge on film camera's structure and techniques to not to waste film and to have good photos. "I like the carefulness and attentiveness to make a photo by a film camera," said Le Dong. The 75-year-old artist also said that a good photo has to have two factors of truthfulness and kindness. Dong has a group of friends who often go taking photos together at Tao Dan Park in HCMC's District 1. Photography to him is a passion not a means to earn livings. … [Read more...] about Creating photographs the old way in Saigon
The Reverie Saigon launches live jazz music
The Reverie Saigon launches live jazz music The Saigon Times Daily The Reverie Saigon will launch “Colors of Jazz” nightly performances at the R&J Italian Lounge, starting from September 17. Every Tuesday through Sunday from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., internationally renowned artist Kate Bowen will take to the stage with her velvet-smooth voice to captivate audiences with powerful renditions spanning the genres of soul, R&B, funk, blues, pop and jazz. Bowen has had experiences in jazz lounges from around the globe. Kate Bowen has also worked with U.S. pop star Demi Lovato. During performances at the R&J Italian Lounge, guests who check in and tag a photo on Facebook will receive one complimentary signature cocktail. Taking its name from Shakespeare’s epic romance, Romeo and Juliet, R&J Italian Lounge & Restaurant stokes a similar passion in lovers of traditional Italian cuisine. The lounge opens its doors from 5 p.m. to midnight daily. … [Read more...] about The Reverie Saigon launches live jazz music
Saigon Tango Festival attracts foreign masters and DJs
Saigon Tango Festival attracts foreign masters and DJs Kieu Giang By Kieu Giang - The Saigon Times Daily Saigon Tango Festival 2014 featuring five Argentinean tango masters and five local and international DJs will take place on December 4-7 at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in HCMC’s District 3, Molinary Café in District 1 and Vision Tower in Phu Nhuan District. The event hosted by Ta.Tango Club in Saigon has different themes and activities with fun and friendly ambience for each festival night. Those who come to the first night will enjoy performances of regional guest dancers. The second night is where an Ao dai (Vietnam’s long dress) show by veteran fashion designer Sy Hoang takes place. It features performances of professional models in HCMC. The Argentinean artists will show off their best dances in a gala night on December 6 while the last night on Dec. 7 is a big celebration of Ta.Tango Club in Saigon to mark its 7th year. Participants in this festival can enjoy … [Read more...] about Saigon Tango Festival attracts foreign masters and DJs
Saigon Artbook 5 to feature three local and foreign artists
Saigon Artbook 5 to feature three local and foreign artists Kieu Giang By Kieu Giang - The Saigon Times Daily Local dancer Do Hai Anh, one of the three artists to be featured in Saigon Artbook 5, is seen at a press conference to announce the book launch last week in HCMC’s District 1 - PHOTO: KIEU GIANG Saigon Artbook, a series of non-profit art books which is in its 5th edition, will introduce creations by three young female artists, including paper collage painting maker Vitaliya Letnitskaya from Russia, and Vietnam’s digital painting maker Tran Ngoc Viet Tu (Turine Tran) and contemporary dancer Do Hai Anh (Yumi) at a ceremony at 3A Station in HCMC’s District 1 on Thursday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. According to Dao Minh Vu, general manager of Ultimate Futuristic Organization (UFO), a non-profit art organization that initiated the project since 2013, each artist joining the book contributes their latest 12 works that have never been unveiled before. … [Read more...] about Saigon Artbook 5 to feature three local and foreign artists
Carmen as a concert in Saigon
Carmen as a concert in Saigon Bradley Winterton By Bradley Winterton - The Saigon Times Daily Imagine my disappointment when I walked into the Opera House in HCMC on Sunday and discovered that the HBSO’s production of Carmen was to be only a concert version. As such it was actually rather good, but singers sitting in line wearing evening dress is a long way from the passionate Spanish world depicted by Georges Bizet in this famous opera. It’s true that two years ago the same company presented a concert version of Mozart’s The Magic Flute, and I found it totally enchanting, and said so in the Saigon Times. But that occasion was marked by a considerable amount of stage action, whereas Sunday’s Carmen was entirely static. It might have been an oratorio by Handel, not Bizet’s tale of love and betrayal, and finally murder. Color was what was missing - the color of Spanish crowds, children, cigarette-factory workers and gypsies. Dance episodes were … [Read more...] about Carmen as a concert in Saigon
Paintings show features Saigon
Paintings show features Saigon The Saigon Times Daily The HCMC Fine Arts Museum in downtown HCMC is displaying paintings featuring “Saigon in October” artworks by 12 female member artists of the Fine Art Association HCMC. Visitors to the show until October 18 can see 110 paintings in different mediums including oil, lacquer, wood carving and collage. These artworks reflect the love of the authors for Saigon where they have been living and working, seen through the images of small alleys, multi-storey buildings lit up at night, lines of trees on the streets, birds flying in between buildings, and silent moments at church. In particular, the self-portraits of the 12 artists, 11 of them Vietnamese and one South Korean, Kim Jung Hyun, are also on show. Kim has lived and worked in the city for 10 years. Another interesting part of the display is an area exhibiting hand-made products created by the 12 artists such as clay flowers, fabric flowers, necklaces made from stones, … [Read more...] about Paintings show features Saigon
A taste of Malaysia at New World Saigon
The Saigon Times Daily A top Malaysian Chef will be in residence at the hotel from September 11-22 and dancers will experience traditional Malaysian dance performances live at Parkview daily at lunch and dinner by dance troupe Wandie Art Productions, showcased by Tourism Malaysia HCMC. Diners will also enjoy specialties such as Nasi Lemak, Chicken Masak Merah, Mutton Curry, and Melaka Chicken Rice Ball, among others. Served daily from 11:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., lunch will be priced at VND500,000, and from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. dinner will be priced at VND820,000, including a free flow of Teh Tarik milk tea and Bandung rose milk drink. On Sundays, there is a Malaysian Brunch Buffet for VND910,000 including unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks, or VND1.2 million with an additional free flow of champagne. The price excludes 6% service charge and 10% VAT. A special discount of 15% applies to Aircrew and Malaysian Chamber members, when presenting membership card. Platinum discount … [Read more...] about A taste of Malaysia at New World Saigon