Nightlife in Ho Chi Minh City

Nightlife in Ho Chi Minh City

1. DrinkCafé

   Acoustic Cafe

   Though only 1 km from the heavily touristed centre, this club is completely outside the tourist orbit, and offers an interesting view of local life. The all-Vietnamese house band performs every night, mostly American music, and it's always jammed with student-aged groupies. For some reason, they address the crowd in English between songs, even though half the crowd doesn't understand. On weekends, at least, you need to arrive by 19:30 to have any hope of getting a seat. If your hobby is rock ballad or hard rock, you should go on Friday night.

2. DrinkNightclub

   Apocalypse Now

   Legendary and still packed on weekends, although aside from a few movie references it's not all that much to look at. Stays open late. Now opened their 2nd floor for DJ, dancing, drinks with less crowded atmosphere.

   Cover charge of 150,000 dong

3. Drink

   Go2 Bar

   The main backpacker bar while Allez Boo was closed, still a great meeting place. It's impossible to miss the four floors of neon lights on the outside. Large patio on the sidewalk at street level, a cosier bar on the second floor with occasional live music or big-screen sports, plus a rooftop patio (with retractable roof) with individual BBQs up a steep set of stairs on the 5th floor.

   Open now · open 24 hours

4. Drink

   Seventeen Saloon

   American Wild West-themed bar, live music every night and other entertainment. Drinks are expensive.

5. Drink Not mapped

   Lush

   A nightclub in the Western style, with loud music and minimalist too-cool decor. Drink prices on par with most Saigon nightclubs. Mixed crowd (Vietnamese, tourists and expats), pretty good food but has a small dance floor. Ladies night on Tuesday offers free drinks for ladies until midnight. Be sure to arrive early as it gets very busy from around 22:30 and it is difficult to get served at the bar.

6. Drink Not mapped

   Oblivion

   Late night venue with lots of character, claims to be Saigon's premier music bar and it's hard to argue, assuming, that is, you have a taste for non-chart buzzy British guitar and obscure dark US/European stuff. You have to ask for happy pop, though if you're spending enough it'll sometimes get an outing. Like most Saigon bars, it attracts its share of working girls. If you're not interested, simply say you're not and you'll be left alone.

7. Drink Not mapped

   Serenata and Soi Da

   Two open-air cafe-bars with live music in villa-style settings, which attract few if any tourists but typify what most Vietnamese consider a pleasant evening out. Both feature a mix of classical chamber music, Vietnamese lounge songs, American FM classics and the odd French song.

8. Drink Not mapped

   Sheridan's

   Small, cosy Irish-themed bar with imported draft beer and live music. Brits will appreciate the great food tasting of home (or the closest you'll get here).

9. Drink Not mapped

   Vasco's

   Live music on some nights of the week and a typical bar atmosphere for tourists and expats. Drinks from 50,000 dong, including sales tax, tip not necessary.

10. DrinkNightclub

    Banana Maman

11. DrinkNightclub

    Cargo Bar

12. DrinkNightclub

    Ciné

13. DrinkNightclub

    Club 86

14. DrinkNightclub

    District K

15. DrinkNightclub

    Gammer Beer

    Hours unclear (Specified as open end. Closing time was guessed.)

16. DrinkNightclub

    Glow Skybar

17. DrinkNightclub

    ICool Karaoké

18. DrinkNightclub

    Karaoke Nice

19. DrinkNightclub

    Mantia Lounge

20. DrinkNightclub

    Quán Bar Lush

    2 Lý Tự Trọng

21. DrinkNightclub

    Quán Vasco's Bar and Lounge

22. DrinkNightclub

    The Observatory

    85 Cách Mạng Tháng 8, Quận 1

    Closed · opens 4 pm Thursday·Wi-Fi

23. DrinkNightclub

    Tip Top Karaoke

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Ho Chi Minh City (CC BY-SA 4.0). Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).