Job Discussion Forums

[ronald_reagan]

I have read about what the clubbing thing is like in HCMC, but what about bars that have live, western music? Do expats form bands here and play at bars? I lived in Shanghai before, and this was pretty common I felt. What about in Vietnam?

[VN]

Filipino classic rock cover bands!

Everything else is few and far between, or terrible

[thomas123]

There's plenty of fun night life in Saigon, including live music (not really western though). I recommend these:

The Jazz Club - on Le Loi street across the street from Saigon Centre, between Ben Thanh market and the opera house. Live jazz music every night from 9pm until about 11:45pm, 2 dollar cover charge and expensive drinks. The best live music in Saigon, excellent a/c. Classy, great place to take a date.

Saigon Saigon Bar - 9th floor of the Caravelle hotel, across the street from the opera house. Latin band playing mix of western pop and latin music, every night 9pm until 12. Expensive drinks, fantastic atmosphere, part indoor part outoor with a great view and usually a nice breeze.

Level 23 - top floor of the Sheraton hotel, different bands from U.S., Europe, wherever, playing current pop, hip-hop, good dance floor. This is not my favorite place, expensive drinks, uptight security, dorky business men on business trips away from wifey, but still can be a fun dance club, 9pm till late.

Vasco - Friday night only for live music, western style band playing rock n'roll, pop. Surprisingly reasonable drink prices. This is probably the best time for westerners/expats in Saigon. Too bad they only have live music once a week. Pool tables, full food menu, its a great time. A little bit of a hidden location, on Hai Ba Trung street, across the street and a little bit north of the Hyatt hotel. Walk in a alley to an open courtyard area and you are there. The bar/band is upstairs.

Hope this helps. Of course, at all these places once the live music ends at about 12, you can always walk to Apocolypse or LUSH and drink till 2 or 3.

[ronald_reagan]

Yup, all this info helps. I have never been to Vietnam, only Thailand and Cambodia. From what I have been told by people who have visited HCMC that the night life is good and finding live music and places to get beers if no problem. I thought I would ask opinions of people who have or are currently living there. What about the people? Are Vietnamese going out kind of people, or more home bodies? Are the bars just filled with expats, or is it a mix?

[euroteacher]

go here,

the Acoustic Bar! (Address: 6E1 Ngo Thoi Nhiem. Ward 7. DISTRICT 3. (Near corner of Ngo Thoi Nhiem and Le Quy Don)


if u want to avoid the tourists, expats, and hotel bar environ.

95% local, 5% foreigners.

Music : The Curtis king band, filipinos bands/singers.
music blows hot and cold. i don't appreciate listening to a Robbie Williams cover. muppets!

smallish venue, get there early to grab a seat - 8-9pm - especially on fri / sats.


enjoy geezer.