Vietnam nightlife: the best bars and clubs not to miss

It might not be known as one of the world’s nightlife trailblazers, but Vietnam likes to party – and it’s home to an ever-growing crop of craft beer tap-rooms, rooftop bars, speakeasy cocktail lounges and sociable beach bars. Here are our top Vietnam nightlife spots for after-dark entertainment.

The information in this article is inspired by the Rough Guide to Vietnam , your essential guide for visiting Vietnam .

Mục Lục

Useful tips about Vietnam nightlife

In Vietnam, drinking alcohol is a social activity to be shared with friends. Locals rarely drink alone, and almost never without eating. Be prepared for lots of toasts to health, wealth and happiness, and no doubt to international understanding, too. It’s the custom to fill the glasses of your fellow guests – someone else will fill yours.

While beer and imported spirits are drunk throughout Vietnam, the traditional tipple is ruou can, or rice-distilled liquor. Until recently, ruou can was regarded as decidedly downmarket, the preserve of labourers, farmers and ethnic minorities. Nowadays, it’s becoming popular among the middle class as city-centre bars and restaurants begin to offer better-quality ruou can.

Bui Vien Street in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam © David Bukuchava/Shutterstock

Roughly forty years ago technology for making bia hoi (draught beer) was introduced from Czechoslovakia and it is now quaffed in vast quantities, particularly in the north. Bia hoi may taste fairly weak, but it measures in at up to four percent alcohol. It’s also ridiculously cheap, and supposedly unadulterated with chemicals, so in theory you’re less likely to get a hangover. Bia hoi has a 24-hour shelf life and the better places sell out by early evening.

Bia hoi culture is all about enjoying a few beers with a group of friends – it’s still an almost completely male activity, though in the cities you’ll see a few local women (and female travellers won’t be judged for joining in). The Vietnamese almost never drink alone and rarely drink without eating, so many places serve a range of snacks and more extensive dishes.

Go sky-high in Ho Chi Minh City

Things are looking up for nightlife in Vietnam’s honorary capital (still known as Saigon to many locals). Flocks of people take to the skies each night, at one of the city’s rooftop bars. Dress to impress at Chill Skybar, the most fashionable place in town with its neon lights and cabaret dancers. Located In The Heart of District 1 – Tnr Saigon bar has a wide range of beers on tap.

Techno-heads should make for The Lighthouse, in District 1, which has a roster of both local DJs and international acts.You might be lucky enough to see a big-name DJ at super cool Blanchy’s Lounge – Pete Tong and Grand Master Flash have both played here before. Ladies’ Night means free Mojitos for women on Wednesdays.

Uncover the secrets of Ho Chi Minh City and charms of Vietnam’s capital Hanoi with our tailor-made 9-days tour.

The view from Eon Heli Bar, Ho Chi Minh City © Stephane Bidouze/Shutterstock

Craft beer is also having a moment in Ho Chi Minh. Biacraft has around 50 different brews on tap. Pasteur Street has pumped out over 200 different brews since 2014. And it’s worth a trip to the Heart of Darkness for the beer’s arty branding alone.

If you’re on a budget, join in the fun in a streetside bar along De Tham street (drinks in the upmarket Dong Khoi street will cost five times the price). Additionally, you can always economise downtown by taking advantage of early-evening happy hours.

Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City:

La Galerie Hotel

Situated in Ho Chi Minh City, within 4.2 km of Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center and 4.9 km of Fine Arts Museum, La Galerie Hotel features accommodation with a terrace and as well as free private parking for guests who drive. With free WiFi, this 3-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and room service. The hotel has family rooms.

The Art – Tina Hotel and Apartments

Located 3.1 km from Tan Dinh Market, The Art – Tina Hotel and Apartments provides accommodation with a shared lounge, a garden and a 24-hour front desk for your convenience.

Each unit comes with a sofa, a seating area, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a well-fitted kitchen with a dining area, and a private bathroom with a hairdryer. A balcony with garden views is offered in all units.

Felix Alley

Set in Ho Chi Minh City in the Ho Chi Minh Municipality region, with Tan Dinh Market nearby, Felix Alley offers accommodation with free WiFi and free private parking, as well as access to a fitness room.

Vietnam nightlife: beer and Buddhas in Hanoi

For a capital city, Hanoi goes to bed pretty early. Luckily, the authorities seem to be gradually relaxing their midnight curfew. The nightlife scene here is all about cool cocktail lounges.

The trend for speakeasies has really taken off here: the Alley Cocktail Bar and the Kumquat Tree are both atmospheric. If you’ve still got life left in you after knocking back those spirits, finish your evening on Ta Hien. This busy street is packed with lively, dimly lit vietnam bars.

A must-visit for any first-time visitor to Hanoi, Bia Hoi Junction is widely-regarded as the quintessential nightlife spot in Hanoi. Bia hoi stalls or shophouses generally open from mid-afternoon to mid-evening, and serve fresh draught beer poured straight from the barrel – just look for the tell-tale metal barrels, and patrons sitting on stools and clutching greenish glass tumblers.

Find the most appealing accomodation options in Hanoi.

A mixologist in action at the Mad Botanist, Hanoi © Mad Botanist

Where to stay in Hanoi:

Modern Apartment near National Conventional Center

Situated 4.2 km from Vincom Center Nguyen Chi Thanh, Modern Apartment near National Conventional Center features accommodation with a restaurant, a garden and a 24-hour front desk for your convenience. Free WiFi is offered throughout the property.

Chủ Nhật Cafe & Homestay

Featuring a bar, garden and views of city, Chủ Nhật Cafe & Homestay is located in Hanoi, 3.4 km from Vincom Center Nguyen Chi Thanh. Boasting family rooms, this property also provides guests with a terrace. The accommodation provides a shared kitchen and room service for guests.

22HOUSING VINHOMES SKYLAKE

Providing lake views, 22HOUSING VINHOMES SKYLAKE in Hanoi provides accommodation, free bikes, a bar, a garden and a terrace. Free WiFi is provided.

Beach bars in Phu Quoc

Settle into island life on Phu Quoc off Vietnam’s west coast. Rory’s Beach Bar on Long Beach is a great place to start. Pull up a lounger to the beach bonfire, or join in a game of beer pong. This Aussie-owned venue often stays open later than advertised.

If you don’t fancy kicking off your shoes, take a seat in elegant Le Bar inside the colonial-style La Veranda Resort on Duong Dong beach. Enjoy sea views from the comfort of Art Deco chairs and sip cocktails from the bartenders’ fresh and original recipes – this is a nightlife experience with a decidedly relaxed vibe.

If a beach holiday is what you’re looking for, check out our list of the 20 best beaches in Vietnam.

Where to stay in Phu Quoc:

Azura Resort

Azura Resort features a restaurant, bar, a shared lounge and garden in Phu Quoc. Featuring family rooms, this property also provides guests with a barbecue. The accommodation provides a 24-hour front desk, room service and currency exchange for guests.

M Resort Phu Quoc

Situated in Phu Quoc, 600 m from Long Beach, M Resort Phu Quoc features accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking, an outdoor swimming pool and a bar. 3.2 km from Sung Hung Pagoda and 25 km from Vinpearl Land Phu Quoc, the property provides a garden and a terrace. The resort has family rooms.

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