Must-see nightlife in Vietnam

  • Vespa Sofar

    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,…

  • Le Pub

    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…

  • Air 360 Sky Lounge

    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,…

  • Bar Betta

    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…

  • Cafe Tre Nga

    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…

  • Sky 36

    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…

  • BiaCraft

    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…

  • Buddha Bar & Grill

    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…

  • Oasis Bar

    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…

  • Hon Chong Cafe

    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…

  • Sailing Club

    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…

  • Vesper

    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…

  • Cong Caphe

    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…

  • OMG

    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…

  • Lush

    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…

  • Dragon Beach

    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…

  • Café on Thu Wheels

    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…

  • View

    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…

  • Moose & Roo

    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…

  • Nha Hang Lan Chin

    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…

  • Hmong Sisters

    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…

  • Bicycle Up Cafe

    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…

  • Mooney's

    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…

  • Bia Hoi Ha Noi

    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…

  • Altitude

    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…

  • 13 Cafe-Bar

    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…

  • Game On

    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…

  • Tam’s Pub & Surf Shop

    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…

  • Mountain Bar & Pub

    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…

  • Lee's Safari Bar

    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…

  • Angelina

    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…

  • The Rooftop

    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,…

  • Dong Ho Coffee

    Ha Tien

    Dotted with fairy lights and glowing with Chinese lanterns at night, this floating cafe is a breezy choice for a sundowner beer or a cafe sua (iced coffee…

  • 2 Lam Son Martini Bar

    Ho Chi Minh City

    A chic blend of wood, glass and steel, the Park Hyatt’s ground-floor cocktail bar is a super-stylish meeting ground for Saigon's makers and shakers, with…

  • Coco Bar

    Phu Quoc Island

    With chairs and music spilling onto the pavement, Coco is a great place for a roadside bevvy and a chat with the mix of travelling folk, Gallic wayfarers,…

  • Brown Eyes

    Hue

    This late-night bar features a good blend of locals and traveller revellers. DJs drive the dance floor with R&B, hip hop and house anthems, and staff…

  • M Bar

    Ho Chi Minh City

    On the 8th floor of the Majestic Hotel, this is a great spot for a sundowner, with panoramic views of the river and a certain colonial-era cachet.

  • Phatty’s

    Ho Chi Minh City

    This sports bar is renowned for its convivial atmosphere, good grub and big screens. English soccer, rugby and Australian Rules Football are all screened…

  • Summit Lounge

    Hanoi

    Enjoy fabulous views from this 20th-floor lounge bar. Order a (pricey) cocktail or beer, grab a spot on the outside deck, and take in Truc Bach Lake and…

  • Hanoi House

    Hanoi

    A chic and bohemian cafe with superb upstairs views of St Joseph Cathedral. Chill out on the impossibly slim balcony with excellent juices and Hanoi's…