Nightlife in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City is known for its myriad of entertainment venues to suit all tastes and preferences. From underground clubs to sky bars and night markets, Ho Chi Minh City has something for everyone. Most of these nightlife hotspots are concentrated in District 1, the city’s prime bar-and-club region. This part of town is buzzing with movement and sound; it pulsates with lights, music, and people.
Nightlife in Ho Chi Minh City is recognized for being lively. In the heart of Saigon many bars are still open late at night as well as clubs, tea houses and bia hoi vendors. For instance, Café Latin and Top of 23 can be found in Dong Khoi area from which you can easily move on to other places along that street. Nighttime scenes are most common here.
When darkness falls in Ho Chi Minh City there is hardly anything that one cannot find happening within this city limits including various types of musical events such as one held at Lan Anh stadiums or a no-name tea bar at the same time.If you love jazz then do not miss Saxn’art (28 Le Loi St) where Tran Manh Tuan plays an amazing Vietnamese saxophone.
Drinks can be had from the side walk bia hoi up to fancy drinks like those served at Vasco’s Bar located in16 Cao Ba Quat. If you want to dance your night away, Top of 23 (88 Dong Khoi) is the most luxurious restaurant. No matter what kind of person you are, Ho Chi Minh City leaves no room for boredom.
The capital has far more than just busy Bui Vien Boulevard’s bars, beer clubs & pubs and a few high-end luxury bars maintained by five-star hotels within these two areas.. These forms distinctive characteristics about local nightlife make it different from other tourist destinations throughout Vietnam
There are some things you should know before you go out to explore the nightlife of Ho Chi Minh City. First of all, make sure you have enough cash as most of the clubs and bars do not accept credit cards. Secondly, if you plan on going to many clubs and bars, you should dress smartly. Lastly, prepare yourself to bargain for drinks and entrance fees, especially in small clubs.
Bars and clubs
Saigon has plenty of bars, although the Vietnamese and Westerners tend to hang out in different places. This is changing gradually as Westerners get used to Eastern culture (and vice versa). Live music venues are usually free to enter, but have inflated drinks prices that are steep (usually 55,000-85,000 dong for beer, spirits and cocktails.) Many close at midnight or 1am. Some however stay open for longer like; Go2 Bar on Pham Ngu Lao which is popular with backpackers/budget crowd; Apocalypse Now located at Thi Sach St where people from all walks converge (anything you want you can find here regardless of what you prefer (straight/gay prostitutes, drugs or just a night club)); ZanZBar on Dong Du where there are ordinary bar goers and its closing time is set depending on the number of people inside. For instance, there are other late-night clubs that almost exclusively cater for young Vietnamese people. Moreover, Vietnamese beer bottle shops throughout the city open till 3:00-3:30 am. Additionally, A few Phu My Hung bars remain open until 2:00-3:00 am.
Halfway down Biu Vien Street it would be a mistake not to visit the sidewalk bars favored by both locals and tourists alike. The Saigon beer sells at 10K per bottle. Don’t worry about sitting on little plastic chairs – they’re comfortable enough! These are the best places for backpacker drinking as they are cheap and an excellent way to meet locals or other travellers too.
Chill Sky Bar (Sky Bar)
Location: 76A Le Lai Street, Ben Thanh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh AB Tower
The rooftop bar of the AB Tower in September 23rd Park of district one. This is where you can go and be seen. The cost of drinks ranges from two hundred thousand to above. September 23 park at night has lights and music coming from atop the AB tower. Look for lights that point skyward.
Opening hours: 5:30 pm to 2:00 am
Price: VND 200.000 – VND 550.000
The View Rooftop Bar
Location: Pham Ngu Lao, District 1, Ho Chi Minh city No.195 BuiVien street
This place is the ideal bar for broke tourists who do not want to put a strain on their budget when in Saigon. Starting at only thirty thousand dong for a beer makes it quite affordable. Although located on Bui Vien Street which is busy, it’s not too noisy here. Do not leaveBui Vien because this is the most comfortable place to escape from big heat and movement in backpacker area.You may sit with your martini glass watching people below or just relax enjoying the atmosphere filled with lanterns at night.
Opening hours: 10:00 am to 01:00 am
Price: VND 35.000 – VND 300.000
SKYXX Garden & Lounge
Location: Ho Chi Minh City Deutsches Haus Building’s Floor20th ,33 Le Duan Street,
SKYXX is an elegant club having traditional European style architecture with warm tones. Both sections are separated by The Lounge; inside if you feel like being in a vibrant environment with expert dancers and DJs while outside space is rather tranquil and romantic offering magnificent view.Opened in District One Centre,the meals and drinks are quite expensive here, but you won’t regret the quality of food and service.
Opening hours: 05:00 pm to 02:00 am
Price: VND 300.000 – VND 1.000.000
Saigon Saigon Rooftop Bar
Location: District 1, Ho Chi Minh No.19 Cong Truong Lam Son,
One of the oldest bars in Saigon is found on the ninth floor called Saigon Saigon Rooftop Bar. Also known as a restaurant on top of the Caravelle Hotel with its view of the Lam Son Square, the Saigon Opera House, Notre Dame Cathedral and People’s Committee Hall. It’s not so large and has tables for two only; there are many fairy lights and plants everywhere along with some Latino lounge music playing in the background to make it more romantic.The menu includes all Western standbys like best steaks or burgers.
Opening hours: 11:00 am to 01:00 am
Price: VND 200.000 – VND 1.100.000
Eon Heli Bar
Location: Hai Trieu , District 1 , bitexco tower building ,52th Floor
You might feel like you are on top of the world at Bitexco Financial Tower’s pinnacle, one of the tallest buildings in Ho Chi Minh City. It is well-known as a nice place to have a drink and enjoy sunset views during weekdays. The bar works due to house music played by top local and international DJs specializing in hip-hop. Given the stunning view of the city at night, this would translate into approximately VND 200 thousand for every drink that one takes from here. Perhaps between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m., it is perfect time to stop by when there is great atmosphere and soft music playing. At late hours of the night, music is much louder while people sing and dance regularly.
Opening hours: 02862918752
Price: VND 200.000 – VND 550.000
Alley50
Address: Mac Thi Buoi Street No49, District1, HCMC
One could argue that Alley50 is among the best-kept secrets for weekend bars all over town. It could be said that it was created with your closest friends in mind; it has comfortable music along with lush jungle decor; not forgetting its extensive food and drinks menu which will make your mouth water even more. You can get any other food or drink half price from five till eight-thirty, including half price specials on its signature cocktails.
Corked Tales
Address: Le Thanh Ton Street No6, District1, HCMC
This means that if you ever choose to go there then remember firstly CJ Building’s M Floor because Corked Tales follows afterwards upwards only where this pub is found at first floor level C3 next door toward Le Thanh Ton street side entranceways leading onto ground floor F2 known as a sky garden above them anyhow so appear accordingly! To provide consumers with an experience that connects them with nature , their interior is conceived as a forest. The five elements and metal are used to create six distinct cocktails. They have an innovative and delicious cuisine. Starting at VND 220,000 per person, happy hours here are from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Rabbit Hole
Address: Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street No138, HCMC
The Rabbit Hole is one of those underground bars that has been conceptualized in the history of Independence Palace with respect to its name. However, it is not a place where meals are served but has very good beverages beginning from VND 200 thousand. For example, how can you not try the Mad Hatter –a gin based long drink- listening to groovy house music?
Where you can drink with locals
- Acoustic Cafe, 6E1 Ngô Thời Nhiệm. Even though this club is barely 1 kilometer from the densely touristed center, it is completely beyond the tourist orbit and offers a fascinating look at local life. Every night, an all-Vietnamese house band performs primarily American music, and it is always packed with college-aged fans. Between songs, they address the crowd in English, despite the fact that half of the audience does not understand. At least on weekends, you must arrive by 19:30 if you wish to secure a seat. If rock ballad or heavy rock is your hobby, you should go on Friday night.
- Banana Pub, Phu My Hung District. Park View. Pool table, darts, courteous staff, attractive patrons, and copious amounts of food. Opens late or stays open late, depending on the crowd. Travel from Q1 to Q2 to witness the authentic expat scene.
- Carmen, 8 Ly Tu Trong. The house band is still excellent, focusing in flamenco, salsa, and Latin pop, with an eclectic assortment of other popular tunes tossed in. Cocktails are 110,000 dong, shots are 80-85,00 dong, and there is no cover charge. It is popular and often crowded on weekends.
- Ice Blue, Dong Khoi. Centrally located English pub, complete with darts board and warm beer. Friendly, but shuts at midnight.
- Khong Ten (literally ‘No Name’), 147 Hai Ba Trung. Large cabaret in Vietnam showcasing some of the most famous Vietnamese singers. Locals frequently recognize the headliner from television. The middle and older generation of Vietnamese favor a mellow-to-melancholy, soft-jazz, love-ballad style that may not appeal to the majority of foreign visitors. But it is authentic Vietnam and very popular among HCMC locals and Vietnamese expats returning home. Entry is 150,000 dong.
- Lion’s, 1-13 Lam Son Sq, District 1. Brewery and restaurant serving German cuisine alongside delicious beers and beverages. The outdoor terrace is a pleasant location to relax, while the interior restaurant’s two beer tanks and cozy bar are very inviting.
- Lush, Ly Tu Trong. A nightclub in the Western style, with loud music and an excessively minimalist and cool interior design. The same drink costs as the majority of Saigon nightclubs. Mixed population (Vietnamese, foreigners, and tourists), decent food, but a small dance floor. Tuesday is Females Night, when ladies receive complimentary drinks until midnight. Be sure to arrive early, as the bar becomes extremely crowded after 22:30 and service is difficult.
- Metallic Bar, 41 Ba Huyen Thanh Quan, District 3. House band plays covers of Metallica, Guns ‘n Roses and other popular rock bands nightly between 21:00 and midnight.
- Peaches, Phu My Hung District. Excellent location for a few beers with pals. Friendly staff and Asian cuisine. Comparatively low-key compared to other PMH bars.
- Polo, Ham Nghi St (Above the Liberty Hotel). Mixture of expats and locals, starts getting busy quite early. Music from the 1980s to the present. Noisy and smokey.
- Q Bar Saigon. Founded in 1992 beneath the Opera House. Locals, tourists, and expats mingle in a grotto-like, uber-chic environment that might be in Soho or Saigon. Every day until late at night. Similar to the rooftop bar of the Caravelle Hotel across the street, but with more higher rates and a greater selection of cocktails. It is the location to be seen if you have a large amount of Uncle Hos. Indoor and outdoor spaces. DJ nights.
- Rio Saigon, 131 Ton That Dam St, District 1, +84 8 8211827, +84 8 8211812. Until 24:00. A Brazilian flowery decor-themed bar/pub with a Filipino house band playing pop/rock such as Bon Jovi and Skid Row.
- Saigon Pho. This little hole in the wall is only a stone’s throw from Allez Boo, but much more expat orientated. Open until late.
- Serenata and Soi Da, 6E Ngô Thời Nhiệm. Two open-air cafe-bars with live music in villa-style settings that draw few, if any, tourists but exemplify what the majority of Vietnamese consider an enjoyable evening out. Both include an assortment of classical chamber music, Vietnamese lounge music, American FM classics, and the occasional French song.
- The Tavern, SB8-1 My Khanh 2 (H4-2) Nguyen Van Linh, Phu My Hung District, +84 8 4120866. Opens for breakfast, closes at midnight. Western food with fish ‘n’ chips and burgers.
- Velvet, Ho Huan Nghiep (Corner of Dong Khoi). Nice ambiance & music. Latest chic bar in town. Gets very busy, and at weekends you will need a booking.
- Xu Bar, Hai Ba Trung St (Near the Opera House). Great wine list. Nice ambiance & servic
Where you can drink with tourists
- Alibi, 11 Thai Van Lung. With sofas surrounding the walls and a lovely design, the ambiance is very cozy. Excellent food and drink options, pleasant music, and a mix of locals and foreigners. The administration is always there to make you feel welcome and ensure that you receive what you request.
- Allez Boo (Corner of Pham Ngu Lao, De Tham). The original pub is now Highlands Coffee, and a brand-new Allez Boo has opened on the opposite corner. It is brand-new and sparkly, yet has the same texture as the original. A rooftop patio and air-conditioned bar with DJ-style music are located on the second floor. Comparable to Go2 Bar, its brother establishment.
- Apocalypse Now, 2C Thi Sach. Legendary and still full on weekends, although there’s not much to look at outside a few movie references. Remains open late. Now offering DJ, dancing, and drinks with a less congested atmosphere on the second floor. The admission fee is 150,000 dong.
- Catwalk (Beside the New World Hotel). There includes a massage parlor, disco, KTV, and a mini-casino all in one location. The price is on the higher end, but it is a sight to behold.
- Go2 Bar (Corner, De Tham and Bui Vien). 24/7. While Allez Boo was closed, the primary backpacker pub remained a wonderful meeting location. The exterior’s four storeys of neon lights are tough to overlook. Large patio on the sidewalk at street level, cozy bar on the second floor with occasional live music or big-screen sports, and rooftop terrace (with retractable roof) with individual BBQs up a steep flight of stairs. Infested with prostitutes from dusk until dawn.
- Oblivion (Bui Vien). It claims to be Saigon’s premier music bar, a claim that is difficult to dispute if you like non-chart buzzy British guitar and esoteric dark US/Canada music. You must request happy pop, yet if you spend enough money it will occasionally make an appearance. Like the majority of pubs in Saigon, it attracts working women. Simply state that you are not interested, and you will be left alone.
- 163 Cyclo Bar, 163 Pham Ngu Lao St. The hotel is two doors down from the Duna Hotel. Upbeat music played until 02:00, with a courteous staff. Here, sex prostitutes pander to Western guys. If you are not interested, just decline the invitation.
- Le Pub, 175/22 Pham Ngu Lao (On the small road which connects Pham Ngu Lao and Bui Vien). Always crowded after 18:00, renowned for its strong drinks, daily dollar specials (e.g., $1 vodka mixers all night on Tuesdays), and pleasant staff. It is owned by the same person as Le Pub in Hanoi. Expats, notably English teachers, attend the Pub Quiz nearly every Tuesday. If you do not there early, there will be no available seating. There are outdoor and indoor tables available.
- Rex Hotel Rooftop (Corner of Nguyen Hue and Le Loi). They serve a buffet dinner throughout the dinner hour, followed by drinks and music. Recent acts have featured a Filipino band performing FM standards and a Vietnamese group performing Latin and flamenco. It’s a nice spot to escape the city’s noise and breathe in some fresh air. Cocktails cost approximately 140,000 dong.
- Saigon Saigon, 12-13 Lam Son Sq (Caravelle Hotel, 9F). A cozy, airy pub with a magnificent view of the city. Every night, a fantastic live Cuban band performs inside. The terrace has a calm, cool atmosphere. Due of the prices, expense-account customers are prevalent. Most cocktails cost more than 100,000 dong.
- Seventeen Saloon. American Wild West-themed bar, live music every night and other entertainment. Drinks are expensive.
- Sheridan’s (Le Thanh Ton near Thai Van Lung). A small, cozy tavern with an Irish motif with imported draft beer and live music. Brits will appreciate the wonderful meal that tastes like home (or as close as possible).
- Vasco’s, 74 Hai Ba Trung St, District 1 (Opposite Park Hyatt Saigon Hotel. Go to the alley at 74 Hai Ba Trung and locate the bar on the first floor to your left. There is live music on certain weeknights and a typical bar scene for both visitors and expatriates. Drinks for 50,000 dong, including tax; no gratuity required.
- VIBE Billiards & Lounge, 02 Sương Nguyệt Ánh, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1. There are professional pool tables and a huge lounge. You may customize the billiard table lighting using a specialized lighting system.
- ZanZBar, 41 Dong Du St, Q1 (Second entrance through the lobby of the Saigon Hotel). Casually affluent, customers typically come for the extensive selection of wines-by-the-glass (large walk-in wine cellar) or for the cocktails (premium brands) and variety of imported beers. Depending on the quantity of clients, may remain open after midnight. Not for the cheapskate crowd.
