Entertainment in Vietnam
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A
Samsara
Samsara, above the Brodard Café (now Gloria Jean’s) is mainly a gay affair, with waiters in shirtless vests, good DJs and an action-packed dance floor. Friday and Saturday nights are the times to go.
reviewed
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B
Café Pho Co
One of Hanoi’s best-kept secrets, this place has plum views over Hoan Kiem Lake. Enter through the Feeling Gallery, which sells paintings, and continue up the stairs up to the top floor for the mother-of-all vistas.
reviewed
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C
Le Jarai
Moored on the river behind the Victoria Hotel, this boat makes a pleasant setting for a cocktail if it is not chugging up the river. Or try the lobby bar in the hotel, which has a colonial ambience and a pool table.
reviewed
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D
Nep Café
An old trombone, a Che poster and a bicycle poking out of an exposed brick wall are just some of the oddments decorating this indie hang-out right across from Christie’s. Live bands play upstairs three times a week.
reviewed
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E
Le Pub
The name sums it up perfectly, British pub meets French cafe-bar, and the result is popular with expats and travellers alike. An extensive beer list, nightly promotions, cocktail jugs and pub grub draw them in.
reviewed
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F
Tea Café Cung Dinh
It's amazing what a little mood lighting can do. This garden café set in a dreary car park becomes a fairyland at night, lit by red Chinese lanterns. They serve a range of exotic teas and delicious cakes.
reviewed
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An Tuong 2
This is the local disco in town, or rather more accurately 2km from town on the road to Sam Mountain. It is usually the preserve of local boys and some working girls unless there is a big event kicking off.
reviewed
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Pogo
A little way from the main action, it is worth hopping along to Pogo for the chilled atmosphere. The open-air bar features lively decoration, free pool, some sorted sounds and big beanbags for crashing on.
reviewed
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G
Apocalypse Now
This place has lost some of its lustre since moving a long way south in town. However, it remains a popular place of pilgrimage for Hanoi's hedonists. Definitely one of the more gay-friendly clubs in town.
reviewed
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H
Cafe Tung
A famous hang-out for Saigonese intellectuals in the 1950s, Cafe Tung remains exactly as it was then, serving only tea, coffee, hot cocoa, lemon soda and orange soda to the sound of mellow French music.
reviewed
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I
Himiko Arts Café
Run by a Vietnamese artist who trained in Japan, this place occasionally falls foul of the artistically staid authorities. A coffee shop and gallery combined, these are unusual surroundings for a drink.
reviewed
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J
Legends Beer
Yes, it’s extremely touristy, but as every beer comes with fine balcony views of Hoan Kiem Lake it’s still worth dropping by for a cold one. Home brews include excellent weiss (white) beer.
reviewed
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Eva Coffee
A cosy neighbourhood cafe with plenty of quirk, from the treehouselike setting to the solemn tribal masks overhead. A nice place to unwind with a beer or coffee, as local couples have established.
reviewed
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Eden
Next door to La Veranda, this is an outpost of the popular Pham Ngu Lao bar-restaurant. It has a fine location with tables on the sand and a covered interior with pool tables and internet access.
reviewed
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K
Sheridan’s Irish House
This is a pretty authentic Irish pub for anyone yearning for the Emerald Isle. It recently doubled in size, but remains cozy and serves a dangerous selection of Irish whiskies plus good pub grub.
reviewed
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L
Cage
Arguably the most international of clubs in town right now, Cage is set in an old warehouse near the Saigon Legend Hotel. Its sleek decor and guest DJs make this a good place for a big night out.
reviewed
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Coffee Pho
Cao Bang also has some good cafes. Coffee Pho is a stylish little place with pavement tables that serves good Vietnamese coffee, cappuccino, juices and beer plus a snack or two.
reviewed
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Hmong Sisters
This bar with pool tables could be half-decent if the staff were half-polite or, as was the case when we were there, the owner stopped asking people to move tables to accommodate his friends.
reviewed
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M
Shorty's Cafe Bar
If you're looking for an earlier start to the happy hour, Shorty's extends from 18:00 to 22:00. There's a free pool table here as well - along with a book exchange if you're after a new read.
reviewed
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Why Not Bar?
A lively spot for hedonists, this place offers bargain promotions until 1am. Why not? As well as dangerous drink deals, there’s pool and table football. Open late; entry is 30,000d after 1am.
reviewed
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N
Gloria Jean’s Coffee
While it is kind of strange to recommend an Australian coffee chain to Vietnam first-timers, this is the historic Brodard Café, immortalised by Graham Greene in The Quiet American.
reviewed
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Gecko
If you are looking for something a bit sophisticated, this bar-restaurant has an impressive cocktail list. Or try an ice cream or smoothie by day and take advantage of the free wi-fi.
reviewed
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O
Polite Pub
Don’t forget your manners at this long-running place, unless of course your favourite English Premier League team is 3-0 down at half-time. Classic publike atmosphere and decor.
reviewed
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P
No 5 Ly Tu Trong
The décor of this restored French-colonial villa is stylish and sleek. Good music, tasty food and beer, pool and friendly staff all contribute to the pleasant atmosphere.
reviewed
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Q
DMZ Bar
As popular as ever, this joint’s always abuzz with rocking music, free pool and lively conversation. It serves food till midnight, including the entire menu from Little Italy.
reviewed