HO CHI MINH NIGHTLIFE
WHAT TO DO AT NIGHT IN HO CHI MINH
Ho Chi Minh City’s entertainment industry is growing fast, though it’s still not a city for round-the-clock entertainment – most places close soon after midnight. But what’s available is quality fun.
There is a wide variety of pubs and bars, especially in the city center, and the number of discos and clubs with regular live music is booming.
Some of these are must-visits for newcomers, especially those traveling alone who may want to make new friends and meet local people.
The Rooftop Garden is on top of the famous Rex Hotel, a historic place going back to the 1950s. These days it is a popular place for relaxing with good cool drinks, enjoying the view over the city.
Address: 141 Nguyen Hue St, District 1
Tel: +848 3829 2185
Home to the Ho Chi Minh City Ballet, Symphony Orchestra and Opera, the modern and stylish Opera House features a sophisticated light and sound system. It has regular performances and occasional shows by international classical artists as well as dance, music and acrobatic performances.
Location: 7 Lam Son Square, District 1
Tel: +848 3829 9976
This smart-casual bar is in a five-star hotel and is a pleasant place to go for a good evening out admiring the sunset and enjoying people-watching.
Location: 10th Floor of the Caravelle Hotel at 19 Lam So Square, in the heart of District 1.
Tel: +848 3823 4999
This disco is a recent arrival in the city, with a lively, fun atmosphere, giving visitors the opportunity to mingle with the locals. It can hold 300 people and has good lighting and sound systems.
Address: 5-15 Ho Huan Nghiep St, District 1
Tel: +848 825 7783
Another new addition to the night beat of Ho Chi Minh City, Sparkle in the city centre on three floors with plenty of glass is earning its name as a place to go for after-work drinks and great music late into the night.
Location: 38 Dong Du, Dist. 1
Tel: +848 3822 1414
Metallic Bar has a house band specialising in heavy rock such as songs by Metallica and Guns N’ Roses. There is also a deejay who plays dance and hip hop.
Address: 41 Ba Huyen Thanh Quan, District 3.
Tel: +848 3930 3154
This place is a must for jazz lovers. Tran Manh Tuan, the talented front man of the house band, is a well known saxophonist from Hanoi. The club also welcomes musicians who want to jam with the band.
Address: 28 Le Loi St, District 1
Tel: +848 3822 8472
Underground Bar is one of the busiest places in Ho Chi Minh City, right in the middle of Dong Khoi, next to Lucky Plaza. It has an extensive drinks menu and good food too.
Address: 69 Dong Khoi, District 1
Tel: +848 3829 9079
Velvet is popular with hip Vietnamese youngsters and expatriates. Wednesday night is ladies’ night where every female customer gets free cocktails all night long.
Location: 26 Ho Huan Nghiep, Dist. 1
Tel: +848 3822 2262
A new addition to the Ho Chi Minh City nightclub scene with a difference is Volar featuring hip-hop beats by local musicians.
Location: 52 Nguyen Trai, Dist. 1
Tel: +848 919 111 615
Small but stylish bar offering live music.
Location: 22A Nguyen Thi Dieu, Dist. 3
Tel: +848 3933 0577