Other entertainment in Vietnam
-
A
Bamboo 2 Bar
This is the kind of comfortable hole-in-the-wall joint where the walls are covered in customers’ drunken scribbles. There’s a busy pool table in the back and a Western food menu.
reviewed
-
B
-
Jibes
Unofficial HQ of the kitesurfing brigade, this beachside cafe-bar is a relaxing place for a drink, but it quietens down by night when the party crowd is elsewhere. It also offers surf lessons and rents out state-of-the-art gear like windsurfers (one hour/half-day/full-day US$12/30/45), surfboards (one hour/half-day/full-day US$7.50/15/25), kitesurfers (one hour/half-day/full-day US$50/100/140) and kayaks (one hour/half-day/full-day US$5/13/25). Insurance is extra.
reviewed
-
C
Hanoi Opera House
This magnificent 900-seat venue, dating back to 1911 and built in wonderfully elaborate French-colonial style, has been restored to its former glory. On 16 August 1945 the Viet Minh–run Citizens’ Committee announced that it had taken over the city from a balcony on this building. Performances of classical music and opera are periodically held here in the evenings – a wonderful experience. The theatre’s Vietnamese name appropriately translates to ‘House Sing Big’.
reviewed
-
D
Cheeky Quarter
Quirky, sociable little bar owned by a Vietnamese–English couple, that comes complete with patterned wallpaper and intriguing framed portraits (that look vaguely like they’re depicting some eccentric titled family). Table footy (foosball) is taken very seriously here and the tunes are contemporary: drum ’n’ bass or house music. It’s at the top end of the Ta Hien strip.
reviewed
-
E
Studio
Quite possibly the most beautiful space in Hanoi, this sleek and sexy new lounge bar-cum-restaurant has a Le Corbusier–influenced modernist design with subtle lighting and soaring white walls that form a blank canvas for the statement art. The cocktails are wonderful, the music is chilled and contemporary, there’s a fine food menu and prices are relatively moderate.
reviewed
-
F
Cafe Giang
With bland chains taking over Hanoi's café scene, ancient holes such as this one have become revered treasures. To be sure, Cafe Giang's timeworn patina is almost a bleak exaggeration of communist-era non-chic. The front is wide open to frenetic Hang Gai, but within, amid chatty intellectuals congregating over strong drip coffees, it feels a half century away.
reviewed
-
G
Royal Theatre
The Royal Theatre began in 1826 and has been rebuilt on its former foundations. During the imperial period it hosted classical opera (tuong), dance and music (nha nhac) performances for the emperor and his guests; today these traditional art forms are performed by the Theatre of Hue Traditional and Royal Arts.
reviewed
-
H
M42
Popular, stylish cafe on happening P Minh Khai with a great street terrace for people-watching and soaking up the downtown Haiphong vibe. Savour one of the fresh juices, a shake, or delve straight into the long cocktail list. There’s live music some evenings, wi-fi and good Vietnamese food available too.
reviewed
-
I
Xe Loi
Also called the Cyclo Club, is the most happening nightspot in Can Tho. The huge gardens include plenty of tables and even a fake beach on the riverside. Inside the sort of Wild West-ish saloon is a full-on nightclub with DJs and regular live music. Free entry unless there is an event, but drinks are pricey.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
J
Vasco’s
One area that is particularly easy to browse is the courtyard off 74 Hai Ba Trung, where there are several lively spots, including the newly located Vasco’s. Long one of the hippest places in town, the recipe remains the same with great drinks, pool tables and bar food, plus DJs and events.
reviewed
-
K
Le Pub
Sociable and enjoyable, Le Pub is a great place to hook up with others, as there’s always a good mix of travellers and foreign residents here. There’s a cosy, tavernlike interior (with big screens for sports fans), street-facing terrace and a rear courtyard. Bar snacks are served and the service is prompt.
reviewed
-
L
Red Apple Club
The place where backpackers wind down after a boat trip or wind up before the next one. Cheap beer, flowing shots, regular promotions and indie anthems ensure this place is crammed every night. Watch out for the beer funnel, as things can get very messy. Plus pool and free internet.
reviewed
-
M
Sleepy Gecko
To escape the tourist circus, there’s no better place than this beach bar–style place on Cam Nam Island, where you can admire the view of Hoi An over an ice-cold beer. The owner, Steve, is there night or day to provide good tunes and good jibes – ask about his very good ‘byke tours’.
reviewed
-
N
Egypt Club
There’s a vaguely Egyptian theme running through this bar-club, including shisha pipes to puff on. You can get a coffee here during the day, but this is primarily a club venue; DJs spin electronic music and club anthems in the rear section, which has a decent-sized dance floor.
reviewed
-
O
Roots
Primarily a reggae bar, this is the place for some serious bassline pressure (though other musical genres are tolerated, and played) and can be a riot on the right night with plenty of dance-floor skanking. Lock-ins have been known. Hosts a salsa/latin night on Wednesdays.
reviewed
-
P
Phone Box
This tiny little bar is run by a musician and is a great place for a relaxed drink. There’s live music (usually an acoustic guitarist or jazz artist) on Mondays and Fridays, or expect good tunes at other times from the owner’s extensive vinyl collection.
reviewed
-
Q
Central Circus
The huge permanent tent at the northern end of Lenin Park is home to Hanoi's Central Circus. The Russians introduced circus arts during their era of influence here, and the Vietnamese have retained a fondness for it. The Sunday morning show is geared towards children.
reviewed
-
R
Loop
Opening in late 2008, this hip new place created quite a stir by flying in hip electro DJs (including Jonty Scrufff) in its opening weeks. The sound system is terrific and it attracts a good mix of Westerners and locals. Postmidnight dance-floor action has been known.
reviewed
-
Jazz Club Byquyenvan Minh
This atmospheric venue is the place in Hanoi to catch some live jazz. There’s a full bar, food menu, and high-quality gigs featuring father–son team Minh and Dac, plus other local and international jazz acts. Nonsmokers will suffer though, as the ventilation is poor.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
S
Municipal Water Puppet Theatre
Performances are held at the Municipal Water Puppet Theatre. These shows are a real treat for children. Multilingual programs allow the audience to read up on each vignette as it’s performed. Book well ahead, especially during high season.
reviewed
-
Lac Hong
Set in a gorgeous old colonial-era trading house on the riverfront, this place has real style and wouldn’t be out of place in downtown Ho Chi Minh City. Downstairs are lounge chairs and free wi-fi, upstairs breezes and river views. Live music on Thursdays.
reviewed
-
T
Bia Hoi Viet Ha
For the best quality bia hoi, try Bia Hoi Viet Ha, which is well loved by Hanoi insiders, as it has the biggest chillers in town. It recently relocated to a much bigger premises on Hang Bai, but it’s still hard to get a table.
reviewed
-
U
Bia Hoi Ha Noi
Another bia hoi junction that is local in flavour is where P Nha Hoa meets P Duong Thanh on the western edge of the Old Quarter. Bia Hoi Ha Noi does the best spare ribs in town for a little something to go with the beer.
reviewed
-
V
Funky Monkey
This place is very popular with fashion-conscious locals and keeps shifting location (probably in a bid to dodge the no-fun police). On weekend nights things can take off here with Hanoi’s party people grooving to pumping house music.
reviewed
