Must-see entertainment in Vietnam

  • Binh Minh Jazz Club

    Hanoi

    This atmospheric venue tucked behind the Opera House is the place in Hanoi to catch live jazz. There’s a full bar, a food menu and high-quality gigs…

  • Escape Bar

    Dalat

    Expect top-notch improvised covers of Hendrix, the Eagles, the Doors and other classics at this recently relocated live-music bar owned by blues guitarist…

  • Thang Long Ca Tru Theatre

    Hanoi

    Concerts of traditional Vietnamese music are held in this intimate restored house in the Old Quarter. Ca tru is indigenous to the north of Vietnam, and…

  • Acoustic

    Ho Chi Minh City

    Don’t be misled by the name: most of the musicians are fully plugged in and dangerous when they take to the intimate stage of the city’s leading live…

  • Municipal Water Puppet Theatre

    Hanoi

    Water-puppetry shows are a real treat for children. Multilingual programs allow the audience to read up on each vignette as it’s performed. Although there…

  • Hanoi Opera House

    Hanoi

    Evening performances of classical music, opera and ballet are periodically held at the grand Hanoi Opera House. Check the website for details of upcoming…

  • Yoko

    Ho Chi Minh City

    This live-music venue hosts anything from funk rock to metal, acoustic to indie, kicking off at around 9pm nightly. Check Facebook for what's on.

  • The Municipal Opera House, also known as Municipal Theatre, is a prime example of French Colonial architecture.

    Municipal Theatre

    Ho Chi Minh City

    The landmark French-era Opera House is home to the HCMC Ballet and the Ballet & Symphony Orchestra (www.hbso.org.vn), and hosts performances by visiting…

  • Vietnam National Tuong Theatre

    Hanoi

    Hat tuong is a uniquely Vietnamese variation of Chinese opera that enjoyed its greatest popularity under the Nguyen dynasty in the 19th century…

  • Music Cafe

    Hanoi

    This intimate cafe and bar shows off its style with vintage-music paraphernalia. It's best with a cocktail in hand in the evening, when vocalists croon in…

  • Hanoi Rock City

    Hanoi

    Hanoi Rock City is tucked away down a residential lane about 7km north of the city near Tay Ho, but it’s a journey well worth taking for reggae, Hanoi…

  • Centre Culturel Français de Hanoi

    Hanoi

    Set in the sublime L’Espace building near the Hanoi Opera House, the Centre Culturel offers a regular program of French films. Musical events are also…

  • Universal Bar

    Ho Chi Minh City

    This bar sees some great acts for the roof-lifting live music that takes to the floor nightly at 9.30pm. Seats are out the front for people-watching along…

  • AO Show

    Ho Chi Minh City

    This tourist-oriented showcase of Vietnamese music, dance and flying acrobats is held in the spectacular, recently renovated Opera House, a French…

  • Saigon Water Puppet Theatre

    Ho Chi Minh City

    Within the History Museum, this small theatre has performances at 9am, 10am, 11am, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm, lasting about 20 minutes.

  • Conservatory of Music

    Ho Chi Minh City

    Performances of both traditional Vietnamese and Western classical music are held here. Check the English-language section of the website to see what's…

  • August Cinema

    Hanoi

    One of the oldest cinemas in town, with architecturally significant, modernist lines. It occasionally shows English-language films.

  • Beepub

    Dalat

    Small and dark bar that sometimes has live music and DJs, who crank the volume up loud to compete with the neighbouring bars.

  • CGV Cinemas

    Ho Chi Minh City

    Located on top of the Liberty Central Saigon Citypoint hotel, this centrally-located complex has five compact auditoriums.

  • Lotte Cinema Diamond

    Ho Chi Minh City

    Three screens here show films in their original language with Vietnamese subtitles.

  • Galaxy

    Ho Chi Minh City

    One of the best cinemas in town, with Hollywood blockbusters and local hits.

  • Seventeen Saloon

    Ho Chi Minh City

    Love-it-or-loathe-it, this yeeha-style Wild West–themed Pham Ngu Lao bar has staff kitted out in boots, denim and cowboy hats with roof-raising rock…

  • Hard Rock Cafe

    Ho Chi Minh City

    Live bands or DJs every Friday and Saturday night.