Chay Garden Introduces the Vu Lan Chay Lành Culinary Event – Season of ƯƠM
Chay Garden proudly introduces the Vu Lan Chay Lành – Season of ƯƠM culinary event, taking place from August 23 to September 22, 2025, at Hoa Mai Restaurant (Rex Hotel Saigon). This annual program organized by Chay Garden aims to create a multi-sensory vegetarian culinary experience, where every moment leaves a memorable impression on guests.
Each year, Vu Lan Chay Lành brings a unique vegetarian season, with the first four seasons named: ƯƠM – NẢY – TRỔ – KẾT, helping to establish a new tradition that Vu Lan is not only an occasion to remember filial piety but also a journey of slow living, deep feeling, and together “sowing” the values of family love.
The intimate launch party for the Vu Lan Chay Lành – Season of ƯƠM culinary event took place on the evening of July 25, 2025, at Hoa Mai Restaurant, attended by guests such as MC Đại Nghĩa, MC Thanh Thảo Hugo, MC/Miss Sea Ninh Hoàng Ngân, singer Mỹ Hạnh, actress Dương Cẩm Lynh, singer Kyo York, fragrance expert Huỳnh Hải Yến, poet Nhược Lạc, social activist Chung Thúy Linh, along with journalists, reporters, and editors from various media outlets.
Ms. Hoàng Mộng Diễm – CEO of Chay Garden – shared: “Vu Lan is the season of gratitude and an occasion for every child to remember their parents and loving family. The Vu Lan Chay Lành culinary event begins with a simple belief: a pure vegetarian meal can be the starting point for a healthy relationship full of love.” Chay Garden representatives hope that “this Vu Lan season, many children will bring their parents to dine, and young parents can bring their little ones to together sow seeds of goodness.”
Full Flavor of Pure Vegetarian Cuisine, Sowing Seeds of Creativity
In the first season – ƯƠM (2025), Chay Garden’s chefs sow creative seeds from familiar vegetarian ingredients, blending traditional culinary essence with modern techniques to deliver fresh and refined taste experiences.
Inspired by various seeds – symbols of beginnings and nourishment – the Season of ƯƠM menu elevates dishes in both flavor and meaningful depth. More than just a buffet with hundreds of items, Vu Lan Chay Lành is where each dish carries a story and a meaningful message about family bonds and gratitude.
The weekly menu evolves layer by layer, from “sowing” seeds like rice, lotus seeds, cashews, mung beans, red beans, and more, blooming into a palette of flavors. Choosing seeds as the menu foundation is Chay Garden’s way of honoring simple life, gratitude to nature, and reconnecting with nourishing values from Mother Earth.
From August 23 to September 22, 2025, Vu Lan Chay Lành – Season of “ƯƠM” is expected to welcome 18,000 guests to the vegetarian lunch and dinner buffets at Hoa Mai Restaurant (Rex Hotel Saigon). With a heritage space blending classic French architecture and Eastern culture, a diverse menu, and the dedicated service of the Chay Garden team, the event promises a cozy atmosphere where guests can sow good wishes and fully connect with themselves and loved ones.
Highlights of the ƯƠM Season
More than a vegetarian buffet with over 100 dishes served throughout, the weekly menu features distinct meaningful layers centered around a highlight theme. From “sowing” seeds like rice, lotus seeds, mung beans, red beans, each vegetarian dish blooms like a complete painting of fragrance, color, and taste.
Week 1 – RICE
Symbol of rice-water civilization and nourishment, white fragrant rice grains are “woven” into soft pho noodles. The soul of the pho bowl is the clear, sweet broth simmered for hours from white radish, sugarcane, and pear. Umami depth comes from various mushrooms without additives or MSG. Grilled onions, grilled ginger, white pepper, cinnamon, star anise, cardamom… add warm, familiar aromas to the pho.
Week 2 – VARIOUS BEANS AND SEEDS
Made from finely ground sticky rice, blended with rich coconut milk and golden turmeric, bánh xèo & bánh khọt are a cultural slice preserving memories. Of rice fields, rivers, mother’s gentle hands, and warm kitchen fire. Fillings include mung beans, mushrooms, coconut shoots, carrots, and onions for complete texture, flavor, and color.
Week 3 – CULINARY FUSION
Chay Garden skewers – one of Chay Garden’s “fusion” dishes, originating from protein-rich soybeans combined with sweet, juicy cassava to soften the structure. This dish evokes nostalgia not only for its refined flavor harmony but also for the warm, gentle feeling, like a small corner of Vu Lan season distilled in each light vegetable skewer.
Week 4 – HOME-FLAVORED RICE TRAY
From braised chestnuts with pepper, rich and savory, to rustic madflower salad, the home-flavored rice tray is the final stop on the Vu Lan Chay Lành – Season of ƯƠM journey. With gentle sourness from tamarind, pineapple, and a touch of chili spice, the sour soup pauses us to inhale its mild aroma and calm the heart. That rice tray not only closes the ƯƠM season but also opens space for self-connection.
Touching Layers of Memory, Evoking Love
Beyond the culinary journey, the Vu Lan Chay Lành – Season of ƯƠM event also features a multi-sensory artistic space, evoking and spreading emotions through music, displays, and connecting activities.
At the Rex Hotel event space, the Happiness Tree – Chay Garden’s symbol – is where guests can hang handwritten cards and wishes for loved ones. All contribute to an event that’s not just for the palate but touches the depths of memory and emotion, making this Vu Lan not only a holiday but a complete bonding journey:
“Wrap love in the word LÀNH
Delicious flavors, filial piety dedicated to parents”
EVENT INFORMATION:
- Time: August 23 – September 22, 2025
- Location: Rex Hotel Saigon (Hoa Mai Restaurant – Rooftop Garden), 141 Nguyễn Huệ, Saigon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
- Chay Garden offers special discounts for guests attending the Vu Lan Chay Lành – Season of ƯƠM event (August 23 – September 22, 2025) with parents, applicable when purchasing tickets and reserving tables in advance:
- 50% off ticket price for parents aged 60-69
- 100% off (free) ticket price for parents 70 and older
- Additionally, upon registering for the Happy Connection Journey membership program, customers receive an immediate 10% discount on Vu Lan Chay Lành buffet tickets, along with service discounts across the Chay Garden restaurant system.
- Highlight programs: Music performances with guest artists, sending messages on the Happiness Tree, receiving gifts, and more.
Chay Garden sincerely thanks the media units for covering the event: VTV, Thanh Niên, Tuổi Trẻ, Travellive+, CafeF, Thế Giới Văn Hóa, Vietnam Travel, Vietnamnet, Doanh nhân Sài Gòn, Kenh14, Yeah1, Báo Mới, YAN, Đời sống & Pháp luật, Goûtrends, and more.
