Sai Gon never sleeps at night. But do you know where to go at night, what to do to really get the best that Sai Gon has to offer? In this land, if you are home before 9 o’clock, you are probably sick or just simply don’t have a life. Sai Gon has different activities to help everybody enjoy the nightlife, no matter what walk of life they come from, either you want to enjoy a cup of coffee with some small talks, or take walk down Nguyen Hue street to feel the wind through your hair, even if you are a crazy party animal that takes pleasure in endless pumping music… Sai Gon has everything to keep you on the edge of your seat, no matter who you are.
In this article, we are going to take a look at a few popular evening activities, including partying, food, and hanging out of young Sai Gon citizens.
Walk down Nguyen Hue street
Nguyen Hue walking street, Ho Chi Minh City
Having been closed down for a decent amount of time for construction, upon open in early 2015, Nguyen Hue walking street completely lived up to hype. All that waiting was well worth it for the people of Sai Gon.
Without any time at all, this huge, state-of-the-art area that comes with a stone-paved water fountain has become the number one hang-out among young people, especially during night time.
Obviously, you should walk in the area, if you get by a personal vehicle, better find somewhere to park it. Luckily, that is not difficult nor expensive. You can park you motorcycle nearby the street with only 5.000 VND come back any time your heart desires, even at night time.
Once on foot, do what the place was built for. Take a walk, make conversations, see the sights, or even take part in some of the activities around the ground. Every night, there is music, there are performances, there is parkour, and there are young people.
Cafe 24/7
Sai Gon is the city that never sleeps, and now it has a chain of coffee shops to match this moniker. The people of Sai Gon doesn’t sleep at night, so need a place to stay up, to talk till the sun comes up. When there’s a will, there’s a way, and comes a brand new form of cafe: Cafe 24/7.
This chain had immediately become a trend as it strike the young people right in their bullseye. Originally, there was only one brand of coffeeshop that supported this idea. Now, everywhere you go, you can easily catch the 24/7 sign blinking in the streets. Even famous cafe brands such as The Coffee Bean has declared themselves to be serving all night long as well.
Catch a movie
It is better to catch a late movie in Sai Gon
How can we not put watching movies on list? Catching blockbusters has never lost its place in the mind of young people. And now that everything is providing after hour services, cinemas decide that they also want a piece of the action. There are even showings that start at 1 in the morning. The later the showing, the cheaper the price. Heck, they would even throw in free popcorn and drinks for those who purchase last.
The rooftop theater in Sai Gon
Not satisfied with traditional cinemas? Don’t feel like sitting next to dozens of people? Screen to big? Want more privacy and intimacy with that special someone that you are going out with? If you answered “Yes” to any of those questions, there is a rooftop movie theater in Le Cong Kieu street. Founded by 2 young ladies, inspired by drive-in theaters, this has turned out to be a huge deal. The place gives out that young-people vibe thanks to the grafiti, the food, the drink, the placement of furniture and the cost. Yes it is absolutely affordable for just about everyone.
The Western Street
Bui Vien – The Western Street
Never lost its dominance, in the heat of Sai Gon, you gotta head to Bui Vien to get a proper beer and some decent wind. The Western Street always welcomes visitors every night. In fact, the later the hour, the bigger the crowd. Bui Vien is known for the lines of bars, clubs, pubs, all jumping and pumping. The place is full of people, young and old, boys and girls, locals and foreign. Everything is here. Come to Bui Vien and throw all animosities out the window, grab a beer and make a conversation, whether that is a stranger or a buddy that you come here with, just have a drink and that might be all it takes to bring people together. Who knows? Maybe new friendship can be made, even if you guys come from different worlds.
Ice cream
An ice-cream at MOF – 72, Le Thanh Ton
Because it is hot. Sai Gon has 2 seasons, and summer is the cooler one. So who doesn’t like a good ice cream in the city that feels like an oven all the time? While you are in town, try some of the traditional flavors of ice cream, get a taste of what most Vietnamese childhood. And if you are done with that, try out the new, the exotics, the internationals that come from all corners of the world.
Live cafes version 2.0
There used to be a time when Acoustic cafes was The Thing. Kids come to these cafes every night to get that feeling of simplicity and levitate on the heart-warming acoustic music. Recently, the new generation of Sai Gon has become wilder, crazier, like the city itself. Their lives now have more colors, more sound, more music. They party harder than the previous generations a few years back, their music is now louder and hotter. Hence, rock/acoustic cover bars and pubs were created
These are still place with live music, with instruments, singers and dancers and everything, but when you get into these venues, you will get the feeling of a mini concert, the hottest songs on the chart mixed spontaneously. The crowd goes wild while cheering and singing along with the band until their voices are completely lost. Try out some of these cafes while you’re in town:
Rock Fan Club
The hardcore aura in RFC, Sai Gon
Located in 25C, Tu Xuong, like its name, this is the place to hit for hardcore rockaholics. The place is somewhat small and always packed, so rock fans should be sure to make their way here early
Fang Pub
Fang Pub, Sai gon
The place in 17, Nguyen Thi Dieu provides a wide variety of food and drinks for customers. However if you are planing to go here, be sure to do it late in the night as that is when the good music usually comes.
Saigon Ranger
Poetry in Motion in Saigon Ranger
Probably the hottest club in the city. At this very moment, Saigon Ranger has become widely popular with international travelers and local citizens who are passionate in high quality live bands with endless entertaining nightlife in Ho Chi Minh city. You can find the club at 5-7, Nguyen Sieu.
