Ho Chi Minh City Entertainment

  1. 163 Cyclo Bar

    Bar snacks range from tempura to sandwiches to pho, and live music (every night except for Sunday) covers the gamut from flamenco to pop.

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  2. Allez Boo Bar

    Watch the world scooter by at this bamboo-decked bar that always packs a (foreign) crowd, with a handful of prostitutes thrown in for good measure.

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  3. Apocalypse Now

    Dance clubs in Vietnam have a tendency to change with the wind, but 'Apo' is an exception to the rule. It's been around forever and late at night is a study of the seamier side of international relations. The music is loud, the patrons are from all walks of life and it's apocalyptically rowdy.

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  4. 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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  5. Ben Thanh

    Another popular local spot that gathers mostly gays and a few lesbians is Ben Thanh on Monday nights, with a lively, dance-prone vibe.

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  7. Binh Quoi Tourist Village

    This 'village' is essentially a resort run by Saigon Tourist, with boat rides, water-puppet shows, tennis courts and amusements for the kids. The weekend buffet dinner, featuring a dazzling variety of traditional Vietnamese regional specialities, is served along a canal lit with floating lanterns and accompanied by live traditional music. Call for the latest schedule of performances.

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  8. Blue Gecko Bar

    This major Aussie hang-out has the coldest beer in town. The music is good and you can shoot pool or watch sport on the half-dozen or so TVs.

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  9. 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 - ) - often Flamenco, hence the name.

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  10. Conservatory of Music

    Performances of both traditional Vietnamese and Western classical music are held at the conservatory, near Reunification Palace. Students aged seven to 16 attend the conservatory, which performs all the functions of a public school in addition to providing instruction in music. The music teachers here were trained abroad. The school is free, but most of the students come from well-off families who can afford to purchase the prerequisite musical instruments.

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  13. Eden

    This multilevel spot has red lanterns over the bar, a cosy, inviting vibe and wait staff dressed in shimmery red ao dai . Huge menu with all the Asian accents, with tastier fare than neighbouring joints can offer. Though there are few openly gay venues, popular bars and clubs are generally gay-friendly. Eden attracts a mostly straight crowd, but is gay-friendly nonetheless.

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  14. Go2

    Above an open, airy street-level bar, this popular nightclub gathers a good mix of expats and young party people. DJs spin a good collection of electronica and Anglo pop, and there are open-air spots where you can retreat when you need a break from dancing.

    Dance clubs don't get started until midnight; ask around Pham Ngu Lao bars about the newest hot spots.

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  15. Heart of Darkness

    This dark, cavernlike bar is a mostly expat affair. There's a DJ presiding over a small dance floor in the back room.

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  16. Hoa Vien

    Though Hoa Vien is notable for being HCMC's only Czech restaurant, the big drawcard is the draught Czech lager. This is actually a brewery, with shiny copper tanks looming behind the busy bar.

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  19. Le Pub

    This attractive bar is an expat favourite in Pham Ngu Lao area. It has deep red walls and a small brick patio in front, a fine vantage point for watching the action in backpacker central.

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  20. Lush

    This is an animé themed bar that gathers an attractive, mixed crowd. The wraparound bar takes centre stage, from which you can enjoy great people-watching and a danceable mix of beats - but there's no dance floor. Pool tables and a second-floor bar are hidden out back.

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  21. Manna

    This shimmery second-floor bar has a wall of windows, comfy lounge chairs (in purplish hues) and a well-dressed local and expat mix who come for the good-time beats and stylish setting.

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  22. Maxim's Dinner Theatre

    A Saigon institution 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; though the sea slug may disappoint, the crème caramel definitely won't. The live music goes from Vietnamese folk to show tunes to contemporary pop, and reservations are recommended for dinner.

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  23. 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 ; 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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  25. 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.

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  26. Q Bar

    Attracting a sophisticated clientele for cocktails, Q Bar is where HCMC's fashion-conscious, alternative crowd hangs out. The stylish décor is cool and minimalist, and the music is hip. It's on the side of the Municipal Theatre, across from the Caravelle Hotel.

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  27. 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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  28. Saigon Saigon Bar

    For excellent views in the city centre, stop by Saigon Saigon for a drink around dusk. This fancy bar has live music, cool breezes and a casually upscale feel.

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  29. Samsara

    Samsara is a mostly gay affair, with waiters in shirtless vests, with good DJs and an action-packed dance floor. Friday and Saturday nights are the time to go.

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