Beer lovers cheer during last year’s Oktoberfest at Windsor Plaza Hotel.

Oktoberfest, the traditional Bavarian beer-soaked celebration, will hit Ho Chi Minh City like a ton of ale today.

German Ambassador Rolf Schulze will kick off the festival by tapping the first beer keg.

The opening day will end with the city’s first ever Oktoberfest car parade.

The parade will begin in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1 and wind all the way through town to District 5 until it arrives at the Windsor Plaza Hotel.

During the festival, German band Trenkwalder will entertain guests with folk songs.

The Oktoberfest also includes events such as the Bavarian log buster, a luck draw and a game for couples called the Stone Labyrinth.

Oktoberfest will take place at the hotel’s Jade Ballroom from 6:30 p.m. till late, from today until Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, when children under 16 years may join the fun.

Tickets are available for US$36 each for adults and US$18 each for children from six to 16 years old.

For more information, contact Windsor Plaza Hotel at 18 An Duong Vuong St., Dist. 5, HCMC.

Tel: (08) 3 833 6688.

Reported by Phuong Anh