Nightlife in Vietnam has become much more varied since western tourists visit the country. In the big cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang you will now find cozy pubs, busy clubs and lively bars. Other good news is that going out in Vietnam can also be very cheap. For example, the country has the cheapest beer in the world!
But the nightlife is more than just drinking. You can always attend one of the many wonderful culture shows that showcase the important values ​​of Vietnamese culture. Or simply enjoy a stroll through the illuminated streets to discover the local culture in a different way.
Tips & Rules Regarding Nightlife in Vietnam
Drinking culture
Vietnam is one of the world’s top ten beer consumption markets. Where in Europe and the United States we mainly choose the weekend to have a drink, in Vietnam you will see full beer restaurants every day of the week. From celebrating weddings to drinking away grief after a funeral, from socializing with friends to inviting business associates for a drink night to close a deal. There is always a (good) reason to drink.
Drink & drive
Unfortunately, drinking also has a negative effect on road safety in Vietnam. Traffic accidents are the leading cause of death in Vietnam, with driving with alcohol being part of that problem. For that reason, the law in Vietnam says that you are not allowed to drive either by car or motorcycle after you have been drinking. So there is a zero-tolerance policy on drinking and driving.
Transport
Many travelers in Vietnam choose to rent a scooter or motorcycle. But when you go out, it’s better to leave it at your accommodation. Not only because drinking and driving is of course not allowed, but especially for your own safety! Driving a motorbike in Vietnam is already dangerous anyway, so don’t make it more unnecessarily dangerous.
Fortunately, using a taxi in Vietnam is very cheap. Don’t get ripped off when you’ve been drinking by paying too much for a taxi. Alternatively, you can also use a taxi app like Grab, similar to Uber.
Drug use
The penalties for drug offenses are severe. Under Vietnam’s penal code, a person caught in possession of even a small amount of heroin can be sentenced to death. There are currently more than 20 foreigners serving life sentences or the death penalty for drug trafficking offences.
Type of nightlife
Restaurants
Vietnam has a real drinking culture. They do this at home with friends, but usually they go to a restaurant. Drinking in Vietnam always goes hand in hand with food. Bars are therefore not very popular among Vietnamese and that is mainly a western affair.
You have special beer restaurants (also called beer clubs) where they also serve many snacks and other food in addition to beer. It’s not the most fancy restaurants. Sometimes it’s just a plain barn full of low plastic chairs with tables where people drink heavily.
Bars & Pubs
Bars are not popular among Vietnamese, so these types of nightlife can only be found in the most touristy cities and aimed at tourists and expats. Bars and pubs also generally look more neat and modern. It is a good place to make friends with other travelers.
In the big cities there is a wide range. From cozy pubs, to modern cocktail bars and from luxurious rooftop bars to bars on the street. There is something for every type of nightlife in Vietnam.
Clubs
If you want to go out in Vietnam in clubs, then the same as bars, you have to go to the bigger tourist cities. There are some clubs where people also dance, but most of them are full of standing tables where people drink. Keep in mind that in many clubs in Vietnam the music is very loud.
The type of music depends entirely on the club and sometimes it can also differ per evening. The typical clubs that cater to young Vietnamese often play Vina House, often played by a female DJ in bikini.
There are also clubs that focus more on western backpackers, where you can dance and with western EDM music.
Coffee shops
There are also many young Vietnamese who don’t like loud music and drinking beer non-stop at all. This group often goes to coffee shops. It is a place where they can enjoy coffee, Korean bubble tea or smoothies with friends. The coffee shops are full not only on weekends, but every day of the week. There are so many of these coffee/tea bars that they not only compete with the tastiest drinks, but also often creatively designed.
Shows & Theaters
Another nightlife where drinking does not play a role are the shows and theater performances. The shows are mainly about Vietnamese values ​​and historical events. A visit to such a show shows you a piece of Vietnamese culture in an impressive way.
Karaoke (bars)
Karaoke is one of the biggest, if not the biggest fun in Vietnam. Even the shyest people in Vietnam do it and even the poorest people have a speaker with a microphone at home. There are plenty of karaoke bars in the country, just keep in mind that some are used for more than just karaoke. Most people just do karaoke on the street or at home. It is impossible to miss it on a tour in Vietnam as it is all around you.
Late evening walks
Going out at night can be more than sitting indoors. A late night stroll can be as much fun (or maybe even more fun). Late in the evening, life changes completely in the cities. Every night a lot of Vietnamese go out. When the strong sun and heat have largely disappeared, Vietnamese people go outside to sit somewhere, take a walk in the park, enjoy the illuminated skyline or even do their workout outside.
In fact, parks, beaches and squares are at their busiest in the late afternoon and evening. Some Vietnamese stay close to home and invite neighbors or friends and family to drink on their doorstep. A walk through the city, along the beach or through a park will show you this side of the typical Vietnam culture. As a bonus, some famous buildings and bridges are beautifully lit in the major cities.
Tips for experiencing nightlife in Vietnam
Life in Vietnam can be very overwhelming, especially if you are only used to western cultures. Instead of wandering on your own, experience the nightlife in Vietnam with a local guide. Not only is it helpful to get used to life here, but it’s also super fun. A guide knows how to find the nicest places, the most beautiful views or something very local that you would never think of on your own. It can really be a very unique experience.
There are different types of tours to get a taste of Vietnam nightlife. The most famous and something you must do at least once in Vietnam is a street food tour. Taste delicious Vietnamese street food and sit among the locals. The guide will ensure that you eat in places with the best food and where it is hygienic.
But there are also normal night walking tours or tours where you can taste local beer. Besides walking, you can also hop on the back of a guide’s motorcycle to experience what it’s like to travel through the city as a local.
Top Nightlife in Vietnam
Below you will find a list of cities where you can find the best nightlife in Vietnam. But if you like a party or just a nice evening once in a while, don’t limit yourself to just these places. You might as well have the best night out of your life on a boat in Halong Bay, in the deep jungle of Phong Nha National Park, around a campfire on Quy Nhon beach or in the mountains of Ha Giang with a local hill tribe.
1. Ho Chi Minh City
For the best nightlife in Vietnam, head to the country’s largest city. Nightlife in Ho Chi Minh City is diverse. Enjoy an evening cruise on the Saigon River to see the city skyline while sipping a drink. You can have another impressive view in one of the many sky bars (rooftop bars).
Bui Vien Street, backpacker’s street, is home to dozens of bars, clubs, and restaurants that will keep you going until the wee hours. There are also plenty of live music bars or you can even catch a show at the Opera House. A stroll along the Nguyen Hue Walking Street or a visit to the Ben Thanh Night Market is also recommended.
2. Hanoi
Nightlife in Hanoi is also very diverse; there is something for everyone. Even though you may not like to drink, you should still “taste” the unique street beer culture. Bia Hoi is served in local bars and street stalls. With prices starting from 0.20 cents, this is the cheapest beer in the world. It seems that the taste of the beer can vary from day to day and between the bars, but sitting on a low stool in the street among the locals while having a beer is something you just have to experience.
In addition, Hanoi is simply one of the best places for nightlife in Vietnam. Watch a traditional water puppet show or visit a hip cocktail bar, go to a beer club or the Hanoi Opera in a beautiful colonial building.
3. Da Nang
Nightlife in Da Nang offers a collection of chic rooftop bars, sophisticated lounges, friendly expat bars and lively nightclubs where travelers can enjoy a night out. Da Nang’s hottest nightlife spots often stay open until 3am, with talented DJs spinning funk, EDM, house and trance music, as well as live bands playing the well-known classic rock tunes.
4. Hoi An
Not far from Da Nang you will find the most beautiful city in Vietnam. The highlight in the evening is actually a simple walk through the old town. During the day this historic old trading port is already beautiful, but in the evening it is really magical, when the center is illuminated with thousands of colorful lanterns. During your evening walk you should definitely visit the night market.
If you want to have a drink afterwards, there are plenty of bars in the old town. The bars in the center can get very busy, but Hoi An also has a beach where you can find very nice beach bars. There are even a few clubs you can visit.
5. Nha Trang
Nha Trang is especially a popular seaside resort among the Russians and Chinese. Some travelers therefore find that the atmosphere here is a bit less when going out. But that said, Nha Trang still remains the city with some of the most vibrant nightlife in Vietnam. The entire beachfront area is full of hotels, restaurants, bars and clubs.
6. Mui Ne
Nightlife in Mui Ne is quite compact, with hotel bars, night restaurants and hip lounges along the beach. These places have a very relaxed atmosphere, with friendly service, not to mention plenty of food and drink at affordable prices, a perfect combination for a fun night out with the locals and fellow travelers.
Most of Mui Ne’s most popular nightlife spots are also great for lively parties, cultural evenings, movie screenings, bonfires on the beach, dance performances and guest DJs from all over Vietnam and Europe.
7. Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc Island’s relaxed nightlife is ideal for those looking to unwind after a day of exploring the island. Nightlife on Phu Quoc mainly revolves around the relaxed bars right on the beach. These Beach Bars are often located opposite the resorts. Real nightclubs are not really to be found there yet, but the island is growing very fast with tourists and with this, more and more nightlife options are also being added.
