Thu Hà

A group of Sài Gòn women (known as Cô Ba Sài Gòn) recently visited Ngon Sài Gòn Restaurant in Hà Nội to enjoy great dishes and specialties from Sài Gòn while experiencing a moonlit atmosphere ahead of the upcoming Mid-Autumn full moon.

A group of Sài Gòn women (locally known as Cô Ba Sài Gòn) check in Ngon Sài Gòn Restaurant in Hà Nội to enjoy Mid-Autumn festival. — Photos courtesy of Ngon Sài Gòn Restaurant

These Sài Gòn women, in colourful long southern-style dresses and wearing Sài Gòn style scarves, said it was the first time they experienced the moon in the heart of the capital – at Ngon Sài Gòn Restaurant. Restaurant staff have set up a corner with a sewing machine and colourful fabrics hanging nearby ready to be sewn into long dresses for guests to wear during the Mid-Autum Festival.

They are interested in tasty great dishes and colourful decorations for Mid-Autumn festival around them.

“We are so impressed with the classic and modern Sài Gòn decorations and Sài Gòn’s traditional tasty dishes at Ngon Sài Gòn Restaurant in Hà Nội. We feel as if we are in our Sài Gòn City. It helps us relax while living far from our homes,” they said.

Southern vegetarian healthy hotpot helps to warm up unification and love between family members.

“In Việt Nam, the Mid-Autumn Festival is always a time for unification and getting together,” said Phạm Bích Hạnh, CEO of Phúc Hưng Thịnh Co. and the owner of a restaurant chain including Ngon Garden, Quán Ăn Ngon, Ngon Sài Gòn and several others. All are located in Hà Nội.

One of cô Ba is excited to sew a long dress on the spot for a Hanoian wishing to try.

“You are invited to Ngon Sài Gòn to enjoy a collection of delicious southern dishes and to welcome the full moon festival in Sài Gòn style in the heart of the capital,” said Hạnh.

These cô Ba Sài Gòn are interested in young sticky rice porridge with lotus, one of Mid-Autumn's main dishes.

The romance of autumn is approaching, in which a bright, full moon will rise slowly over the capital. These Sài Gòn women said they can enjoy the moon, which adds Sài Gòn colour to the heart of Hà Nội City.

Colourful cloths are available to be sewed by Cô Ba Sài Gòn on the spot for guests while they are checking in the restaurant.

A corner of Ngon Sài Gòn Restaurant which has been fully decorated with hand-made lanterns and star lamps and others so as for guests to immerse themselves in Mid-Autumn atmosphere.

As the full moon approaches, it is a season of unification, loving and protecting traditional values, said Hạnh, adding that it is a time for connection, consensus and spirituality. During the Mid-Autumn season, the entire family of Phúc Hưng Thịnh Co., which owns Ngon restaurants, joins their hands to make lanterns, star lamps, figurines and other decorations as well as improve their restaurants’ atmosphere in every nook and cranny.

Steamed snakehead fish in gourd is among quality Sài Gòn dishes.

“Everything is ready to welcome the full moon festival after many sleepless nights and days of harsh sunlight and rains. Today the entire Ngon restaurant chain is ready to welcome guests and visitors to come and enjoy amazing tasty dishes under bright moonlight,” said Hạnh.

Chicken with ambarella leaves salad is also among most amazing Sài Gòn dishes.

You can sample dishes and enjoy the full moon festival at Ngon Sài Gòn, 8 Dã Tượng in Hoàn Kiếm District and 59 Huỳnh Thúc Kháng in Đống Đa District. Hotline: 090.222.3626. — VNS