Ho Chi Minh City Nightlife—Top Bars, Happy Hours, & Markets

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If you’ve been to Vietnam before, you know the Ho Chi Minh nightlife is some of the best in Southeast Asia. The cheap drinks and clubs attract many backpackers and ex-pats to the city. 

While the history and culture are what bring most travelers to Saigon, some people come just for the nightlife! One of my favorite parts of being in Ho Chi Minh City was finding the best cocktail bars and nightclubs around the city. 

And if partying isn’t your thing, you still have lots of options. You can head to the night markets instead! Also, the city also has many upscale bars where you can sit and have a quiet drink rather than being out until the early hours of the morning. 

If you’re heading to Vietnam and wondering about the best places to go at night in Saigon, this guide is for you!

high up view of nightlife busy street, market vendors, people walking, signs advertising clothing stores and bars

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Tips for Staying Safe While Exploring Ho Chi Minh City at Night

Like many other popular southeast Asian cities, Ho Chi Minh City has a high prevalence of sex trafficking and sex tourism. The Red Light District is where most people come to engage in these activities. 

I highly recommend travelers and ex-pats stay away from this area of the city as you never truly know who your money will go to at these clubs and bars. Bui Vien Street is the main part of the Red Light District. 

During the day, it’s a popular street for eating and shopping, but at night it becomes a center for illegal sexual activities. Many of the girls are forced into this life, and some are underage, so it’s best not to engage in any tourism in this area at night. 

Pickpocketing and drug use are also common at night in this area, so it’s best to spend the evening hours in other parts of town. 

The good news is that Ho Chi Minh City is huge! There are plenty of other things to do in Ho Chi Minh City that don’t involve the Red Light District. 

Here are the best bars, nightclubs, and markets where you can stay safe and enjoy your time while in Saigon. 

sign for bui vien street, district 1 in ho chi minh city

Best Bars in Ho Chi Minh City 

If you’re looking for a casual night out to drink a few beers with friends, these are the places to put on your itinerary! 

tiger nightclub sign, neon bar signs

Rogue Saigon

Head to Rogue Saigon if you’re looking for the best craft beer in Ho Chi Minh. All of the beers are locally made in Vietnam. They rotate flavors, and they usually have sixteen or more flavors on tap. 

They also have some ciders and sours, which are unusual drinks to find in Vietnam. Their specialty drinks make them very popular both for ex-pats and residents. 

Rogue Saigon is located at 13 Pasteur (Floors 2+, Phường Nguyễn Thái Bình, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 70000, Vietnam. They are open on Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. and every other day from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. 

Observatory Nightclub 

I’m not a huge fan of nightclubs, but this was one I was willing to go to because of the location right on the Saigon River. You can see stunning river views whether you’re inside looking out the windows or chilling in the outdoor area. 

It’s both a bar and a club. So, if you come early, you can just relax and drink. If you want to dance or listen to the DJs, you can stay later into the night. 

The Observatory Nightclub is located at 85 Đ. Cách Mạng Tháng 8, Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam. They’re closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. They’re open Saturday from 4 p.m. to 5 a.m., Sundays from 4 p.m. to midnight, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4 p.m. to midnight, and Fridays from 3 p.m. to midnight. 

Yugen Bar 

Although the owner of this bar is Vietnamese, he spent quite a bit of time in Japan. Yugen Bar has all your favorite sake, cocktails, and other liquor from Japan. They also have a small menu of Japanese food perfect for munching on as you drink. 

Yugen Bar is located at 95 Đ. Lê Thị Riêng, Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam. It’s open Monday through Thursday from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. and Fridays through Sundays from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. 

neon signs advertising various bars and restaurants, ho chi minh city nightlife, things to do in saigon

Best Night Markets in Ho Chi Minh City 

Night markets are one of the best Ho Chi Minh City attractions. It’s a great place to experience the local culture and try some different dishes from around the country. 

When visiting Ho Chi Minh City, trying street food is a must, and the perfect place to do so is the night markets. 

Ben Thanh Market

This is one of the best markets located right in district 1 of Ho Chi Minh City. While it’s open all day, coming at night is the best time as you can shop without worrying about the intense daytime heat. 

At night, the vendors sell steaming bowls of pho, fresh juices, barbecued meat and fish. 

You can also take your time bargaining at night since there are fewer crowds compared to the daytime. The back part of the market sells clothes, electronics, and many other items. 

Ben Thanh Market is located at Đ. Lê Lợi, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam. It’s open 24 hours a day. 

Minh Phung

For some of the best shopping in Ho Chi Minh City, come to the Minh Phung night market. The prices are some of the cheapest in the city, perfect for travelers who might not feel comfortable bargaining. 

You can find purses, sunglasses, designer knock-off clothes and shoes, and many other things. If you’re an ex-pat in Saigon, this is also a nice place to buy home goods and cheap decorations. 

Minh Phung Market is located at 122 Minh Phụng, Phường 6, Quận 6, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam. They’re open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. 

Hanh Thong Tay Market 

Head here if you’re not afraid of crowds! At night, it gets especially packed because it has some of the tastiest and cheapest food in the city. You can find any kind of local food you want here to satisfy your cravings. 

They also have a section where they sell electronic accessories, cosmetics, and clothes. 

Hanh Thong Tay Market is located at Quang Trung, Phường 11, Gò Vấp, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam. It’s open every day from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. 

busy nightlife street, people walking, neon sign

Best Expat Bars in Ho Chi Minh City 

Some of the best things to do in Saigon include drinking at ex-pat bars. You can meet people who have moved permanently to Vietnam and see how they live in this amazing city. It’s a great opportunity to share stories and tips.

Lush

For a fun night out with some loud music and dancing, Lush Club is a great place. You’ll find plenty of ex-pats and locals here partying until the early hours of the morning. There are several different dance spaces that all play different music. 

The main dance room tends to have the typical club music with a DJ. The other sections of the club play everything from hip-hop to country. 

Lush is located at 2 Lý Tự Trọng, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam. They’re closed on Mondays but open every other day from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. 

man and woman doing karoke, clubs in saigon, what to do in ho chi minh city

Layla Eatery & Bar 

For a casual drink in the city, come to Layla Eatery & Bar. Not only are the cocktails amazing, but they also have a wonderful food menu. Try the pork sliders or a cheese and meat platter for the table. 

They are best known for their martinis, but they also sell wine by the bottle and by the glass. They offer a wide selection, including imported options from all over the world. 

Layla Eatery & Bar is located on the Second floor, 63 Đông Du, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, 700000, Vietnam. They’re open Monday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 1 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. 

Best Upscale Places for Nightlife

When visiting Ho Chi Minh City, make sure to have a night out at one of these fancier places. It’s a perfect way to treat yourself or have a romantic night with your significant other.

quiet street in saigon, people walking at night, ho chi minh city nightlife, visiting ho chi minh city

Blanchy’s Lounge

This place used to be just a simple bar, but the owners renovated it in 2011 to make it one of the best luxury places to drink in Saigon. 

Their menu has specialty-made cocktails with fresh seasonal ingredients, all from Vietnam. The day menu is different from the night menu, so you can come on two different days to see everything they offer!

Blanchy’s Lounge is located at 95 Hai Bà Trưng, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam. They’re open every day from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. 

2Lam Son Martini Bar

This fantastic bar is located at Park Hyatt Saigon, which is one of the best hotels in Ho Chi Minh City. The service is outstanding. Even though it’s on the fancier side, there is no dress code. You can either make it an elegant night out or go casual. 

2Lam Son is located at 2 Công Trường Lam Sơn, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam. They’re open every day from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. 

Top Things To Do In Ho Chi Minh City 

While Saigon has an amazing nightlife scene, there are plenty of other things to do in and around the city, including: 

  • Eat Pho and Banh Mi. While in Saigon, don’t miss out on eating a steaming bowl of Pho. Banh Mi is also a wonderful type of sandwich you can order with different kinds of meat and vegetables. These dishes are served on almost every street corner, so finding it should be easy. 
  • Visit the War Remnants Museum. Head here to learn about the effects of the Vietnamese War and how it completely changed the country. You will be able to see many different photographs and artifacts from the veterans. 
  • Go to the Reunification Palace. During the Vietnam War, the palace was where the president of South Vietnam resided. It’s an important historical building as it’s where South Vietnam surrendered to the north. 
  • See the Chi Chu Tunnels. This one is not for people who don’t like being in tiny spaces. It’s an amazing experience for those who can handle it. These tunnels were built by the Vietcong. You can go through certain sections and see how the men and women lived, ate, and slept during the war. 
  • Shop at the Binh Tay Market. Head here in the early morning before it gets too crowded. It’s one of the best spots to grab a cup of coffee or a bowl of pho. There is also a nice courtyard in the back where you can relax after getting your food. 
  • Enjoy the Mekong Delta. This beautiful waterway has some of the best-floating markets in the country. There are also stunning flowers and rice fields you will see along the way. The best way to travel the Mekong Delta is by booking a tour from Ho Chi Minh City. 
outside of reunification palace, fountain, vietnamese flag, things to do in ho chi minh city, ho chi minh city attractions, attractions in ho chi minh city

How to Get to Ho Chi Minh City

If you’re coming from outside Southeast Asia, the best way to get to Siagon is by flying into the international airport (SGN). You should be able to find flights from a number of different airlines. 

Depending on where you’re coming from, you might have a stop in China, Japan, or Thailand. 

If you’re in Phnom Penh or Bangkok, you can also take a bus. You can also choose to fly as there are usually cheap flights to Ho Chi Minh City from other destinations in Southeast Asia. 

How to Get Around Ho Chi Minh City 

You can walk to many places around the city. Traffic can be crazy, and not all drivers stop at pedestrian crossings. So, be careful when crossing the road!

Saigon has a fast and efficient bus system. Just check the routes and times from the bus station or stop. 

If you don’t feel like taking public transport, you can get a taxi or hop on the back of a motorbike. 

When to Visit Ho Chi Minh City 

For the best weather, come to Ho Chi Minh City from December to April. It’s still hot, but the humidity is lower, and it doesn’t rain as often. 

Ho Chi Minh City Nightlife is Waiting For You!

When in Vietnam, make sure to go out and experience Ho Chi Minh City Nightlife. You won’t regret it. 

You can have a few drinks, then head to one of the night markets for some shopping! There are also plenty of nightclubs and dance lounges for those that want to be out all night! 

If you’re going to Saigon soon, which one of these places are you going to visit first? 

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