Entertainment in Ho Chi Minh City
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Acoustic Bar
The leading live-music venue in town, Acoustic pays homage to Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon and other rock ’n’ roll legends. Vietnam’s leading musicians flock here for cameo cover versions and, judging by the numbers that turn up nightly, the crowd just can’t get enough.
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Bobby Brewers
This is a contemporary cafe set over three floors, and the range of coffees here is professional. There are also juices, sandwiches, pastas and salads, plus movies upstairs.
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Carmen
One of HCMC's rarer breeds, Carmen has a stone wall exterior and a cosy wine cellar-like interior (duck your head when you enter) with live music nightly (from 19:00-21:00) - often Flamenco, hence the name.
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Eden
A popular bar-restaurant with red lanterns over the bar (no, not those sort of red lights), the friendly staff are dressed in traditional ao dai. Late drinks, plus a huge food menu.
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Alibi
A happening lounge-bar with Latin grooves, Alibi (ala-bee for French speakers) is reasonably priced for the style factor. Regular late-night events, plus a French bistro menu.
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Java Coffee Bar
This stylish corner cafe has hard-hitting espressos and silken smoothies, not forgetting some of the comfiest lounge chairs around.
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The Refinery
The Refinery is more of a bistro-bar with good cocktails and appetising snacks.
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Municipal Theatre
Each week the theatre has a different programme, such as Eastern European-style gymnastics, classical music or traditional Vietnamese theatre. Performances typically begin at 20:00; inquire at the theatre or ask at your hotel. And if there's nothing happening when you're in town, you can at least pop into the stylish Q Bar, around the side of the building, for a drink.
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Maxim’s Dinner Theatre
Something of a Saigon legend, located next to the Majestic Hotel, this supper club is better recommended for its music performances than for the food. The menu offers Vietnamese, Chinese and Western dishes, including the adventurous sea slug. The live music includes everything from Vietnamese folk music to slow smoochy tunes. Reservations are recommended.
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Tropical Rainforest Disco (Mua Rung)
Tropical Rainforest Disco - called Mua Rung in Vietnamese - is done up in Amazonian rainforest-theme decor. It is one of Ho Chi Minh City's hottest dance spots and, surprisingly, is brought to you by Saigon Tourist (it's not just lounge music anymore!). Their cocktail list features such perennials as Envy, Seduction and - our personal favourite - Orgasm.
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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.
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Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theatre
Although 'Water Puppets' originate in the north, the art has migrated to HCMC in the last decade – in part because of its popularity with tourists. The main venue to see this art form is the Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theatre. Shows start at 6.30pm and 8pm and last about 50 minutes.
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Vasco's Bar
Vasco's Bar shares a lovely villa with the exquisite French restaurant Camargue. The expat crowd converges here on weekend nights when there's live music; drinks don't come cheap but the in crowd don't care. There are several pool tables indoors and out, and inviting tables in the villa courtyard.
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Q Bar
The mother of all trendy nightspots in HCMC, Q Bar seems to have been around almost as long as the Opera House. An enduring and endearing spot, it pulls the beautiful people thanks to hip music and sophisticated decor. It’s on the side of the Municipal Theatre, across from the Caravelle Hotel.
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Bellevue Bar
Among the best places in Saigon for a sundowner, the Majestic's top-floor Bellevue Bar has exquisite views of the river among old-world opulence. If the heights make you feel too woozy or blasé, head down to the ground-level Cyclo Bar, with ringside views of motorcycle mayhem.
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Serenata
This grand house is the perfect setting for a coffee. The garden is scattered with tables around a pond-filled courtyard, making it a romantic retreat. It also features occasional live music. It is down the same lively alley as the happening Acoustic Bar.
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X Café
Set in a lovely old colonial-era villa, downstairs is cool and minimalist, and upstairs has sofas and balconies with regular films. X also marks the spot for one of the strongest Long Island Iced Teas in town, served in a disturbingly tall glass.
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Qing
This slim, nicely designed bar has a classic red finish and atmospheric lighting. Qing gathers an assortment of travellers, expats and locals. There's a good wine and food selection (fusion, Asian tapas) and a decent salon upstairs.
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Lush
The decor is very manga here, with cool graphics plastering the walls. This place draws a mixed crowd that lounges around the central bar to people watch. Features heavy beats, regular DJs and some pool tables hidden out the back.
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Yoko
This is a place where you can appreciate some live music, the blend here could be anything from indie rock to country and western, and kicks off around 9pm nightly. Small stage, comfy chairs and revolving art-works keep it cool.
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Voodoo
Surely a candidate for the longest bar in town, this friendly spot in the centre of town serves some regional beers like Huda and generous measures. Has classic indie anthems on the MP3, plus a couple of dart boards.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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