A week-long series of events in Ho Chi Minh City is exploring the essence of Vietnam’s largest city and seeking an answer to the question of what makes the metropolis special.

‘Reinvent Saigon,' which pays tribute to the former name of Ho Chi Minh City, is being held simultaneously at five locations in the southern hub from July 22 to 28.

The series of events is an effort of young people to recreate the 'soul of the city' through an artistic and commercial perspective, and to find the old Saigon in the city’s current state.

Nearly 40 events will take place at the following five locations of TOONG co-working space in Ho Chi Minh City: 20 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai (District 1), 126 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai (District 3), 87 Ham Nghi (District 1), The Vista An Phu (District 2), and The Vista Verde (District 2).

‘Reinventing Saigon’ is meant to portray Saigon with a fresh look, using elements from ancient heritage to the characteristics of a modern Vietnamese metropolitan with all its bustling vibes and dynamics.

Themed as a cultural festival, the series of events focuses on such topics as words and designs, cuisine, architecture and urban, and fashion and lifestyle.

Visitors to the TOONG co-working space at 126 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street can view a display of Tuoi Tre Cuoi Tuan magazines, a weekly publication published by Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper, taken from a private collection by retired journalist Nguyen Trong Chuc.

A collection of calendar artworks depicting the Saigonese lifestyle by graphic designer Thien Le in collaboration with Ho Chi Minh City-based English-language site Saigoneer will also be put on display at the location.

A food-tasting activity, an exhibition of Vietnamese culture-inspired works by young artists and a film screening will also take place at this address during the course of the events.

At 81 Ham Nghi Street, visitors can look back on the old maps of Saigon to see its development over time and take an interactive tour of the city’s ten most iconic buildings to test their understanding of Ho Chi Minh City.

Food lovers should not miss events being held at 20 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, where all things related to the history of cuisines in the southern metropolis will be made available to visitors.

Fashion and lifestyle are the focus of exhibitions at the TOONG co-working space at the Vista An Phu apartment complex in District 2, where visitors can see how the old tailors of Saigon defined fashion for residents in Vietnam’s largest city.

At the Vista Verde apartment complex in District 2, the future is the recurring theme of art installations by several contemporary artists, tackling such issues as pollution and urbanization.

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