Nightlife has been an integral part of Ho Chi Minh City (aka Saigon) for more than a century. When the French arrived towards the end of the 1800s and transformed the settlement into the municipal hub of southern colonial exploitation, they brought with them cabaret shows, dance halls, opera houses, and opium dens.
Grand hotels like the Continental and Rex were built with capacious bars to entertain the elite, while nearby streets such as Rue Catinat (now Dong Khoi Street) were lined with nightspots – many with unscrupulous agendas – designed to part wealthy businessmen, colonial administrators, and foreign visitors from their cash. Later, during the war years, Saigon’s nightlife took an even grittier turn, as the city became an escape from the horrors of the battle for American GIs.
After the war, from 1975 onwards, Saigon’s nightlife was muffled. But from the end of the 1980s, due to a loosening of restrictions, the scene has gone from strength to strength – and it shows no signs of letting up. And while Saigon can’t yet compete with Taipei, Tokyo or Bangkok, it’s only a matter of time.
Nightlife spots are dotted all over the city, but District 1 is the focal point. This also makes the centre the best place to stay, as taxi-ing (or stumbling) home is never too demanding. For international excellence, book a room at the Park Hyatt Saigon. If you’re looking for local quirks, try The Myst.
Address book:
- Park Hyatt Saigon: 2 Lam Son Square, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- The Myst: 6-8 Ho Huan Nghiep, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Day 1:
Brunch and lunch
Start the day at Xôi Gà Number One, a MICHELIN Guide 2024 Bib Gourmand street food stall, which serves both sweet and savoury versions of the dish, before strolling down Lacàph for a premium-grade Vietnamese coffee. The café also sells drip filters and can organise coffee workshops if you’d like to learn how to brew your own coffee at home. From here, it’s a short walk to Rice Field, The MICHELIN Guide Vietnam 2024, which serves Vietnamese dishes from across the country, though the southern dishes are particularly fresh and flavoursome. Our inspectors recommend snails stuffed with pork and cooked with lemongrass, which is paired with a tangy ginger fish sauce.Afternoon and dinner
After lunch, chill out along the river or in the parks to prepare for the evening. Truth be told, central Saigon is not the best when it comes to green space, but there are some pockets that will help you connect with the natural world. On the water, the Dragon Wharf and Ho Chi Minh Museum catches a river breeze, offers a welcome sense of space and affords views back to the city skyscrapers. Alternatively, head to Tao Dan Park, one of the biggest green spaces in the centre, with towering trees that provide ample shade. Nearby is the Reunification Palace, an important historical building with large gardens – the ideal place to grips with the city’s recent history and find some calm before the night ahead. Consider dinner at nearby Coco Dining, The MICHELIN Guide Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang 2024 edition, with its sumptuous 12-course tasting menu (a la carte is also available).
After dark
Begin the night at Bui Vien, Saigon’s electric avenue of floor-quaking music. The bars (and the noise) won’t be to everyone’s taste, but the stroll alone will supercharge you for the night. It’s best to start on the west side and head east so the terraced bars frame views of the Bitexco Financial Tower as you walk. With Bui Vien behind you, head to a nearby rooftop bar, such as Chill Skybar for glitz and glamour or Boosh Rooftop for underground vibes. Both have weekend DJs with diverse music scenes, so check Instagram for the lineup. To keep the party going, descend to street level and head to Frolic, a friendly queer bar, or The Observatory, for dancing. Both stay open until the early hours.
Address book:
- Xôi Gà Number One: 15 Nguyen Trung Truc, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Lacàph: 220 Nguyen Cong Tru, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Rice Field: 75-77 Ho Tung Mai, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Dragon Wharf: 1 Nguyen Tat Thanh, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Reunification Palace: Ben Thanh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Coco Dining: 143 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Chill Skybar: 76 Le Lai, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Boosh Rooftop: 6 Bui Vien, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Frolic: 151 De Tham, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- The Observatory: 85 Cach Mang Thang 8, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Day 2:
Brunch (or lunch) and the afternoon
When you’re ready, drown memories of the night before with Vietnam’s choice hangover cure: pho. Though there are many places to choose from, Phở Hoà Pasteur, a humble MICHELIN Guide 2024 Bib Gourmand eatery that first opened in 1968, is a safe bet, as it’s open all day. Now you’re in the heart of District 3, check out the neighbourhood’s various galleries. A few steps from Pho Hoa Pasteur is Gallery Medium, displaying some beautiful but pricey pieces crafted by some of Vietnam’s more established contemporary artists. The artworks may be a little out of your price range, but a block away is OHQUAO Concept Store, selling affordable mementoes like socks, mugs and prints made by local designers. There are also various coffee-stop opportunities nearby. Try Tiem Ca Phe Linh, a (retr)ode to Saigon’s 1960s modernist architecture.
Dinner and beyond
Before dinner, prepare for an evening of sophisticated dining and a cocktail bar crawl. Back in District 1, Ănăn Saigon is a good place to start. The restaurant, which elevates street food with contemporary cooking techniques, received Saigon’s first MICHELIN Star in 2023, and above it sits Nhau Nhau, a rooftop bar. From here, some of the city’s best cocktails are served in hidden bars in all directions, including Emme House, The Iron Bank, Summer Experiment and The Trieu Institute. Or swing by the 2024 Bib Gourmand eatery Sol Kitchen & Bar for Latin-inspired bites, vibrant drinks, and upbeat music before heading to your next stop.Address book:
- Phở Hoà Pasteur: 260C Pasteur, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Gallery Medium: 240B Pasteur, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- OHQUAO Concept Store: Alley 58 Pham Ngoc Thach, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Tiem Ca Phe Linh: 26A Pham Ngoc Thach, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Ănăn Saigon (and Nhau Nhau): 89 Ton That Dam, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Emme House: Ham Nghi, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- The Iron Bank: 47 Ton That Dam, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Summer Experiment: 77-79 Ly Tu Trong, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- The Trieu Institute: 10 Mac Thi Buoi, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
