Ho Chi Minh City Nightlife Tips by 34N118W

Nightlife Spot: Blue Gecko

Blue Gecko is an Aussie-owned bar in the heart of District 1. It's popular with the expat community. Blue Gecko offers good music, pool and darts. It's a bit small, so it can get quite crowded and smokey.

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Dress Code: As with most places in Saigon, you can come as you like. However, if you don't want to feel out of place, dress casual.
Directions: Near the intersection of Ly Tu Trong and Hai Ba Trung

Nightlife Spot: Carmen Bar

Carmen Bar is one of the more unique night spots in Saigon. For starters, it looks a bit like a log cabin both inside and out. You enter through a small doorway that makes you feel a little like a hobbit. Once your inside, it opens up to candle-lit tables and a coverband strumming popular western tunes. The music is mostly easy listening, so look elsewhere if you're looking for a loud and raucous evening.

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Theme: Live Music
Dress Code: Carmen Bar is popular with a lot of Saigon's well-to-do Vietnamese. Generally, locals wear dress pants and a button up shirt even in the most seemingly casual situations. So, it's probably a good idea to wear something nice-casual to Carmen Bar. Don't go in backpacker attire unless you want to stick out like a sore thumb.
Phone: 829-7699
Address: 8 Ly Tu Trong, District 1
Directions: Carmen Bar is located on Ly Tu Trong, just down the street from Blue Gecko.

Q Bar is one of Saigon's upscale bars, located on the side of the opera house, just in front of the Caravel Hotel. The layout is interesting with many odd little corridors and nooks, not to mention artsy decor. It used to be one of the trendiest night spots in Siagon. According to local rumor, the original owner lost his business liscence . Now it's just a place for guests of the Caravel to have over priced drinks. However, it's worth a visit. The Opera House is one of the city's fine examples of French Architecture.

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Dress Code: You can wear anything in most places.

Nightlife Spot: Underground Bar and Grill

Underground Bar and Grill is one of the most popular hangouts among expats. Not only do they provide a full bar, but good food too! A great place to socialize, watch your favorite sporting events, or play a game of pool or darts.

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Dress Code: You can wear anything in most places, but you might want to dress a little better than the typical backpacker for this place.
Directions: Along Dong Khoi strip

Nightlife Spot: Vasco's

Another good spot for nightlife is Vasco's. It's packed on the weekends. They offer a full bar, pool table, and live music. Things start to get going after 10pm. You can retreat to the courtyard if it gets too hot inside.

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Dress Code: You can wear anything in most places, but you might want to dress better than the average backpacker for this spot.
Directions: Near Hai Ba Trung and Le Loi