People visit the art and culinary fair called Taste of Saigon by ArtLIVE, which is opening at the Independence Palace from October 6-8. — VNS Photo Phương Mai

HCM CITY — Thousands of people have participated in an art and culinary fair called Taste of Saigon by ArtLIVE, which opened on October 6 at the Independence Palace in HCM City.

The three-day fair, which has the theme of “Set the Vibes”, aims to offer art and culinary experiences at the same venue for the community, particularly young people.

The event features an art exhibition showcasing sketches, paintings, and digital art works depicting HCM City, its destinations and lifestyle by young artists from Urban Sketchers Vietnam and Practice Theory.

The fair includes a series of workshops on fine arts, architecture, Vietnamese cuisine and spices, and handmade items hosted by independent artists and leading chefs of HCM City.

There will be live music performances by singers VP Bá Vương and Hà Lê.

The fair also has booths introducing food by local restaurants and hotels, and equipment and materials for food and art industries.

The organisers set up a Cuisine Collection area featuring high-end restaurants and brands in Việt Nam who will donate 50 per cent of their profit from the event to the non-profit project Draw Your Dream.

The project aims at helping children and young people in many regions of the country, particularly needy children with cancer, and ethnic minority children.

It will offer education for children by giving scholarships, and improve facilities at schools and warm shelters in remote and isolated areas.

Sketches and paintings about HCM City are on display at the fair. — VNS Photo Phương Mai

In the framework of the fair, the final round of two competitions – the artLIVE Mixology Championship and the artLIVE Pizza Championship for both Vietnamese and expat professional bartenders and chefs – will be held on October 7 and 8.

Six finalists from each competition will bring to the public performances of the culinary arts and eye-catching flavours, full of creativity and entertainment, at the event.

They will be judged by experts from Việt Nam and the world, such as Richie Fawcett, artist and bartender mentor based in HCM City, pizzaiolo Ciro Sorrentino, and Trung Lê, executive chef of Autograph Collection at Vinpearl Landmark 81.

The winners from the two contests will offer vocational courses and workshops for needy young people in many provinces and cities to develop their career.

The fair opens to the public for free until October 8. It is expected to attract 25,000-30,000 visitors. — VNS