10 Best Things to do in Ho Chi Minh City at Night
What are the best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City at night? This might be on the minds of business travellers, adventure seekers, or family travel groups alike.
Better known to some as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is the cultural and commercial hub of Vietnam, and guess what, the majority of its population is under 35 years old! With the power of youth on its side, this fast-growing city definitely has a vibrant nightlife scene, where there’s something to please everyone.
To help first-time Saigon visitors get around, our team at PARKROYAL Saigon has put together a list of non-touristy things to do in Ho Chi Minh City after dark. These include:
Need accommodation during your Saigon holidays? Travellers love PARKROYAL Saigon, as it offers all the modern comforts and conveniences that globetrotters seek. We are a mere five minutes from the Tan Son Nhat International Airport, with easy access to Saigon places of interest such as the Ben Thanh Market and the Reunification Palace. And if you’re travelling solo or planning to be out late, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that you’ll be returning to a safe and centrally located hotel.
Read on for our Saigon nightlife recommendations, and here’s wishing you a wonderful Saigon holiday!
Unusual Things to Do in Saigon at Night
Not ready to call it a day in Saigon? Here are some non-touristy things to do after sunset.
1. Watch Saigon’s Version of Cirque du Soleil
Many tourists head to the Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theatre to catch a traditional Vietnamese puppet show performed in water—this is often included as part of a dinner cruise package. Prefer to do something spectacularly different? Book a ticket to the evening A O Show, a dazzling theatrical display that is part bamboo circus, part dance spectacle, and a wholly thrilling treat for the senses.
Worried about not being able to grasp the full meaning of the show? All you need to know is this: the A O Show is an ode to the charming beauty and cultural richness of Vietnamese country life, which stands in stark contrast to the city’s rapid urbanisation. The show is set to “live” music inspired by traditional Southern Vietnamese folk songs; such songs evoke the memories of those who toiled on the lands and rivers in the Mekong Delta region.
2. Go Shopping at Ben Thanh Night Market
Eager to shop for Vietnamese fashions, handmade souvenirs, and local snacks? Ben Thanh is the place to be! If you’ve missed visiting the Ben Thanh Market in the day, you can also head for the Ben Thanh Night Market—set up along the East and West gates of Ben Thanh Market—which typically runs from 6pm to after 11pm. For guests at PARKROYAL Saigon, this market is about a 15-minute drive away.
At the market, you can purchase an ao dai (a traditional Vietnamese tunic, now mostly worn by women) for about 250,000–300,000 Vietnamese dong/VND (USD10.80–15.10). You can also bring home a Vietnamese conical hat (non la) for 30,000–50,000 VND (USD1.30–2.10). Souvenirs are equally budget friendly, and you can get a small keepsake such as a keychain from 20,000–50,000 VND (USD0.80–2.10).
To avoid getting ripped off, keep a price guide handy when you visit the market and be prepared to bargain hard! Also be sure to keep a close eye on your belongings while shopping, as this is a target area for pickpockets.
Get directions to Ben Thanh Night Market
3. Take Beautiful Saigon Photos at Night
Where are the best places to take Saigon photos at night? For a classic Saigon sundown shot, park yourself by the Thu Thiem Bridge, where locals and tourists flock for an unobstructed skyline view. By late afternoon, you’ll spot sunset watchers congregating along the bridge—do go early to secure yourself a prime photography spot!
Other recommended Saigon attractions for night photography include the iconic French-era Mong Bridge, where you’ll get a view of the Saigon River. Or saunter down to Bui Vien Walking Street, better known as the “backpacker street” of Saigon, famed for its lively atmosphere. Need a photo guide? Local photography enthusiast Tien An runs photo walks during the night, and you can contact him to customise a tour.
Get directions to Thu Thiem Bridge
Book a photo walk
The Top Saigon Night Tours
Too busy to plan an evening itinerary for your Saigon holidays? Don’t worry, these local travel experience specialists will show you a good time!
4. Go on a Saigon Joyride
What if you could see the best of Saigon by night, while riding pillion on a motorbike like the locals do? Let the female bikers of XO Tours take you on a Saigon joyride! You’ll feel the rush of riding down the Saigon freeway, gaze upon the magnificent Bitexco Tower (one of the tallest buildings in Vietnam), and see crowds gathering at the makeshift sidewalk cafes that only spring to life at night.
You’ll also get to sample Vietnamese street food, such as Banh Mi (a Vietnamese baguette sandwich) and Com Tam (grilled pork chops on rice). Vegetarians: you’ll have the option of trying Banh Khot Chay (vegetarian mini-pancakes). This tour includes a hotel pick-up and drop-off (selected locations only).
Book a tour with XO Tours
5. See Saigon’s Hidden Gems by Night
Saigon Adventure’s “Saigon by Night” tour is an all-in-one experience that lets you traverse Ho Chi Minh City’s nightlife in style! You’ll get to enjoy the evening city view from a luxury rooftop bar, pay tribute to a Vietnamese icon (Thich Quang Duc, a monk who self-immolated in the 1960s to protest the country’s persecution of Buddhists), visit a bustling flower market, have a delicious Vietnamese hot pot meal, and round up the night at a pub or coffee bar. This tour is most suited for energetic night owls, and it includes a hotel pick-up and drop-off.
Book a tour with Saigon Adventure
6. Discover the Joy of Saigon Food
Hope to make local Southern Vietnamese food your priority while in Saigon? Join Saigon Food Tour for a “Taste of the Night,” where you’ll be able to sample delicious Vietnamese noodles, pancakes, and BBQ meats. You’ll also get to wash your food down with some local beers, and if you’re still hankering for more, there’s always a chance to stop for traditional desserts. This tour includes a hotel pick-up and drop-off.
Book a tour with Saigon Food Tour
The Best Late-Night Activities in Saigon
Tuck into a sumptuous meal, meet and mingle with new friends, or simply chill out and watch the world go by—all in a Saigon night!
7. Visit a Must-Try Saigon Restaurant
Wondering who the top chefs in Saigon are? One name to keep in mind is Peter Cuong Franklin—born in Vietnam, raised in America, and the proud recipient of numerous culinary awards. Now based in Saigon, Franklin has opened Anan (“eat eat” in Vietnamese) to specialise in street food-inspired Vietnamese cuisine. He’s also responsible for its sister bar in the same building, predictably named “Nhau Nhau“ (“drink drink”), where you can stop for post-dinner drinks.
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8. Enjoy the View at a Rooftop Bar
An interesting Saigon attraction by night is Nguyen Hue Walking Street, a pedestrian street where locals gather to socialise and people-watch. And just minutes away is Vietnam’s “highest” nightlife spot, the EON Heli Bar. Located on the 51st floor of the Bitexco Financial Tower, the EON Heli Bar has a luminous city skyline view, along with “live” or DJ music, and an extensive alcohol list that will make your time here truly worthwhile.
Get directions to Nguyen Hue Walking Street
Get directions to EON Heli Bar
9. Go on a Saigon Pub Crawl
If you’re quite the party animal, the three-hour Pub Crawl Saigon is the best way to have a good time in the city. You’ll meet other like-minded, fun-loving folks at a designated bar, hit a few more drinking spots in a group, and end at a club to dance the night away. You’ll also have a free beer on arrival and a free shot at each bar thereafter—so make sure you can hold your liquor!
Join the Pub Crawl Saigon
10. Live Dangerously: Have a Coffee After Midnight
Also known as the “racket coffee shop,” Cà Phê Vợt has been in business for over 50 years. It’s a no-frills coffee shop, where a single trolley holds all the coffee paraphernalia, while customers huddle together on plastic chairs that spill into the alleyway.
This quaint little joint is known for the way that it filters its coffee—with a racket, instead of a conventional filter. This traditional method of preparing coffee is thought to result in a stronger and more fragrant brew. If you’re not the sort to shy away from a caffeine kick at night, you can enjoy coffee here at any time, as they are open 24/7. For guests at PARKROYAL Saigon, Cà Phê Vợt is only a five-minute drive away.
Welcome to Saigon! Need more travel suggestions? View more itinerary ideas below, and check out the room offers at PARKROYAL Saigon. For assistance, contact our friendly staff today.
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HOTELS AND RESORTS
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WELLNESS AND LIFESTYLE
Toll-Free Room Reservation Numbers
309B-311 Nguyen Van Troi Street,
Tan Binh District,
Ho Chi Minh City,
Vietnam
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