Food festivals come and go in Saigon, but few have managed to evolve alongside the city itself. As Saigon Burger Festival 2025 returns on 20–21 December at Nexus Square in District 1, it marks not just another edition, but a more intentional step forward for an event that has grown into a cultural fixture.
For Linh Nguyen, founder of Saigon Outcast, the festival has always been about more than food. What started as a way to introduce burger culture to Vietnam has gradually become a platform for creativity, community, and cross-cultural exchange.
“Burgers were just the starting point,” Linh shares. “What we really wanted was a space where people could eat, hang out, discover new ideas, and feel like they belong. Every year, we try to build something that reflects how Saigon itself is changing.”
That sense of evolution is visible in the festival’s design. Alongside a diverse lineup of burger vendors, from smash-style specialists to gourmet and vegetarian concepts, the weekend brings together art installations, creative pop-ups, interactive games, and a full music program curated by FTWR. The result is a format that encourages visitors to stay, explore, and participate rather than simply eat and leave.
This year’s edition is also shaped by a new partnership with Nexus Square, the central District 1 venue hosting the festival. Far Lee, community partner for the event, sees the collaboration as a natural fit.
“Nexus Square is designed to be a place where people can connect, not just a location,” Far explains. “Partnering with Saigon Burger Festival makes sense because it brings together food, art, music, and people in a way that feels open and accessible. It turns a public space into a living one.”
That accessibility is a core theme. Saigon Burger Festival has always positioned itself as an all-ages, all-vibes event. Families, couples, groups of friends, and solo visitors are equally welcome, with affordable ticket pricing and free entry for children under 12. In a city where lifestyle events can sometimes feel exclusive, the festival deliberately keeps its doors wide open.
There is also a competitive edge. A structured judging system combined with public voting will once again crown the Best Burger of the year, encouraging vendors to push creativity and visitors to sample widely. It reflects a growing maturity in Vietnam’s food culture, where diners are increasingly curious, discerning, and eager to engage.
For both Linh and Far, the excitement around the 2025 edition lies in that balance between scale and intimacy.
“We want people to feel the energy of a big festival,” Linh says, “but still have moments where they connect, whether it is with a chef, an artist, or someone they just met in line for a burger.”
As the Saigon Burger Festival enters another chapter, it continues to mirror the city it belongs to. Global influences filtered through local creativity. Casual on the surface, carefully curated underneath. And always centered on bringing people together, one messy, satisfying bite at a time.
