Nightlife in Ho Chi Minh means very different things depending on where you are in the city. Downtown in District 1, rooftop bars, high rolling casinos and smooth jazz bands are the choice forms of nightlife entertainment in Saigon. But move a few kilometers west into District 3 and the backpacker street of Pham Ngu Lao, with its boisterous street bars, cheap eats and good time vibe, is certainly the place to be when night falls. Whatever your idea of the perfect night out in Ho Chi Minh, with our top 5 guides to the very best of nightlife experiences we’re sure you can find something to suit your style…and then some!
1 Cocktails at a Rooftop Bar
Opened in 1959, Saigon Saigon Rooftop Bar is an iconic landmark in Ho Chi Minh City as the setting for daily war correspondents briefing during the Vietnam War. The bar is set on the ninth floor of the Caravelle Saigon, featuring fairy lights, wooden furnishing, plenty of foliage for a cozy ambiance, and views of Lam Son Square. Daily happy hour promos at Saigon Saigon Rooftop Bar are between 16:00 and 19:00 where you can enjoy 50% off your total bill. All drinks are also served with a selection of snacks such as nuts, dried fruits, and shrimp.
Opening Hours: Daily 11:00 – 03:00
Address: 19 Lam Son Square, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Tel: +84 83 823 4999
2. Get Lucky at a Casino
Several of the best hotels in Ho Chi Minh have casinos within so you can hit the roulette table, play some mah-jong or get lucky on the slot machines. Two of the biggest casinos in Saigon is located in the Caravelle Hotel and Sheraton Saigon Hotel and Towers. Casinos in Ho Chi Minh City are not on the scale of Las Vegas and some games, such as hold ‘em poker, are available on a computer screen only, but having a flutter is still an enjoyable way to spend a few hours.
3. Beer Hoi on Pham Ngu Lao
The street drinking scene along Pham Ngu Lao in District 3 of Ho Chi Minh is legendary. It is the backpacker hub of the city and welcomes a mix of foreigners and local Vietnamese who mix freely and chat the night away, drinking cheap beers on small plastic stools all along the street. There are many cheap restaurants here too and several nightclubs if you want to hit the dance floor later in the night.
4. Live Music Bars
Live music fans are spoilt for choice in Ho Chi Minh City. From smooth jazz to heavy rock and everything in between, there is probably a bar or club that caters to your music preference. Gigs are fairly well spread out across the city so you should never be too far from some singalong fun, and if you are staying in the popular areas of District 1 or 3, then you will be spoilt for choice.
5. Lush Nightclub
Lush Nightclub is a premier nightlife hotspot in Ho Chi Minh City. It is the place to see the young and beautiful of Saigon, dressed to impress and not afraid to spend a little cash. The venue is kitted it out in an industrial chic style, with space to dance and an upstairs area with ample seating. Music ranges from house to hip hop and a bit of mainstream party pop, depending on the night
