Danang
This landmark bar-restaurant juts over the river near the Song Han bridge. It works better as a bar, as the restaurant prices are stratospheric and the…
Must-see nightlife in Vietnam
Hanoi
Tucked away down a very tight alley off Phu Doan, Little Plan possesses a charming ambience, steeped in an old-world feel beneath a whirling ceiling fan,…
Hanoi
Hanoi's long-standing (25 years and counting), only established gay bar – and unofficial LGBT HQ – might seem small and vanilla midweek, but it gets…
Hanoi
Le Pub is a great meeting place, as there’s always a good mix of travellers and Hanoi expats. There’s a cosy, tavern-like interior (with big screens for…
Ho Chi Minh City
The most upmarket of HCMC's sky bars – it's very popular with local high rollers working their way through a bottle of Hennessy cognac or Johnnie Walker…
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
The in-house bar/cafe at Easy Tiger is the most happening place in Son Trach, with cheap beer, pool tables, and live music every night. Add to the growing…
Ho Chi Minh City
‘Apo’ has been around since 1991 and remains one of the must-visit clubs in town. It's a sprawling place with a big dance floor and a courtyard, and its…
Ho Chi Minh City
This cool Vespa and Mod-themed cafe-bar combo is a short walk from Pham Ngu Lao. Look forward to good coffee, juice and smoothies, well-priced cocktails,…
Ho Chi Minh City
The name says it all – British pub meets French cafe-bar – and the pomegranate-coloured result, ranging over three floors, is a hit. An extensive beer…
Ho Chi Minh City
Happy hour runs from 5pm to 8pm at this modern sky bar – perfect to make the most of sunset and secure a good discount on the pricey drinks menu. Pâtés,…
Kon Tum
Join Kon Tum's cashed-up locals for a tea, ca phe sua da (iced milk coffee) or cold Saigon beer at this modernist cafe, shaded by strikingly arranged…
Hanoi
Retro decor and a jazz-age vibe combine with good cocktails, coffee and cool music in this breezy French-colonial villa. Two-for-one beers are available…
Hue
Families, courting couples and card players all hang out at this hidden bamboo-shrouded riverside haven that's our favourite place in Hue for a caphe sua…
Danang
This stylish and slick rooftop bar serves excellent cocktails and innovative bar snacks as well as the best after-dark views of Danang's river and neon…
Ho Chi Minh City
Excellent craft-beer bar across the river in District 2. Expect locally brewed beers with irreverent names, plus the best of hoppy, distinctive imported…
Ho Chi Minh City
Popular expat bar across in District 2 that offers live music most Friday nights from 9pm. Check Buddha Bar's Facebook page to see what's on. Live sports…
Cat Ba Island
A free-use pool table, smiley staff and tables spilling out onto the pavement slap in the centre of the seafront strip make Oasis one of the most popular…
Nha Trang
This oceanfront cafe is the perfect spot to enjoy a coffee or beer and catch the sea breeze; try a bac xiu nong (Vietnamese-style latte). No food is…
Nha Trang
This beach club is a mecca for party people with DJs and bands, and draws huge crowds for its legendary Saturday-night events. Expect mainstream-chart…
Danang
The Danang offshoot of Hanoi's quirky Communist-themed cafes is a top spot for a riverside caffeine fix – try the coffee with yoghurt – or a well-priced…
Ho Chi Minh City
From the sinuous curve of the hardwood bar to the smoothly arranged bottles on the shelves, soft chill-out rhythms, funky caramel leather furniture and…
Ho Chi Minh City
OMG is a decent rooftop bar near Ben Thanh Market that's less pretentious than some other sky bars around town. Beers/cocktails cost from 90,000/160,000d…
Ho Chi Minh City
Once you’re done chatting in the garden bars, move to the central bar for serious people-watching and arse-shaking. The decor is very manga, with cool…
Mui Ne
This beachfront club has a cool location by the waves with a chill-out deck scattered with cushions and a lively dance floor. Musically, expect EDM and…
Hue
Graffiti-splattered walls, a sociable vibe, excellent food and smoothies all combine at this welcoming spot owned by a friendly family. It also offers…
Ho Chi Minh City
Not as elevated as other rooftop bars around town, but less pretentious and a whole lot easier on the wallet. It's still a good escape to look down on the…
Hanoi
This jovial Canadian-Aussie-themed pub and grill serves excellent home-style comfort food (burgers, pulled pork, wings, fish and chips) in a fun and…
Hanoi
A good spot to sample a local brew is Nha Hang Lan Chin, one of the most popular local lunch spots in town. It's busy, noisy, cheap and very local, though…
Sapa
With liquor sold by the bottle and shots by the metre (!), this is the place for serious late-night drinking. Earlier in the evening the spacious bar has…
Dalat
Is it an antique store? Is it a cafe? This tiny corner beguiles with its riot of old bicycle parts, bird cages, vintage telephones and antique pianos…
Mui Ne
A small, centrally placed Irish bar with pool table and regular crowd of hard-drinking expats. They screen sports (including Australian Rules Football and…
Hanoi
A 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 superb…
Nha Trang
The Sheraton's skybar has breathtaking views of the beach – you can pick out every footprint in the sand below (if your eyes are up to it!). DJs spin…
Dalat
A plant-filled terrace strung with twinkly lights and Chinese lanterns combines with the mellow soft rock–reggae soundtrack to make this a relaxed beer…
Ho Chi Minh City
Friendly sports bar that schedules an entire planet's worth of live events across any given week. An essential detour if you're familiar with sporting…
Danang
A stone’s throw from Danang Beach, this is a friendly, popular bar-restaurant with pub grub (think burgers or fish 'n' chips). You can rent boards (US$5…
Sapa
Dangerously strong cocktails, cold beer (30,000d) and a mellow reggae off beat make this welcoming old-school bar Sapa’s go-to place for a great night out…
Phu Quoc Island
The welcoming English owner of this otherwise rather uneventful bar is a useful source of local info on all things Phu Quoc. The food also gets good press…
Hanoi
Flash hotel bar with glitzy decor and a late licence. DJs spin funky house and chill-out tunes here on weekend nights. Also in the Sofitel Metropole is…
Hanoi
For views of the city, pop in for an expensive beer or cocktail and enjoy the vista. It's very popular with a glittering array of Hanoi's cashed-up youth,…
