Top 6 Nightlife Experiences in Ho Chi Minh

Nightlife in Ho Chi Minh means very different things depending where you are in the city. Downtown in Ben Thanh Ward, rooftop bars, high rolling casinos and smooth jazz bands are the choice forms of nightlife entertainment in Saigon. Moving a few kilmoetres to 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.

1. Cocktails at a Rooftop Bar

Ho Chi Minh City has one of the most impressive collection of rooftop bars in the world. From the colonial charm of Saigon Saigon to the chic and modern style of Chill Skybar, there is a rooftop venue to suit any mood in Saigon. Sit back with a cocktail and soak up the beautiful views of Ho Chi Minh City from sunset until early morning.

2. Get Lucky at a Casino

Some of the best hotels in Ho Chi Minh have casinos inside where you can play roulette, play mahjong or get lucky on slot machines. Two of the biggest casinos in Saigon are located at Caravelle Hotel and Sheraton Saigon Hotel and Building. Casinos in Ho Chi Minh City are not as large as Las Vegas and some games, such as card games, are only available on a computer screen, but playing poker is still a fun way to spend a few hours.

3. Beer Hoi on Pham Ngu Lao

The drinking scene on Pham Ngu Lao Street,  Ben Thanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City is legendary. This is the backpacker hub of the city and welcomes a mix of expats and native Vietnamese, who are free to mingle and chat all night long, drinking cheap beer on small vertical plastic chairs. There are also many cheap restaurants and some nightclubs if you want to hit the dance floor in the evening.

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 Ben Thanh, Ban Co, Xuan Hoa Ward, 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.

6. Dinner Cruise down the Saigon River

For a romantic night out in Ho Chi Minh City, there’s nothing better than taking a cruise on the Saigon River. The Bonsai Dinner Cruise combines a slow river cruise aboard a beautiful wooden barge with a hearty feast of Western and Vietnamese favorites. Along with dinner and views of Ho Chi Minh City by night, there’s a live jazz performance on board and a traditional Vietnamese dance to enjoy.