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The nightlife scene in Vietnam is changing dramatically. Big cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi are now full of lively pubs, clubs and bars. The same applies to many tourist destinations such as Halong Bay, Mui Ne and Phan Thiet. The good news is that it's not particularly expensive to go out at night as Vietnam brews some of the cheapest draft beer in the world.
But the nighttime fun doesn't just extend to drinking. You can always catch one of the many beautiful culture shows which present the important and rich facets of Vietnamese culture. Nighttime entertainment choices include the famous Vietnamese Water Puppet Show and traditional dance shows.
Bar and coffee shops in Hanoi
1. Half man half noodle – fully chilled
Located in the centre of the old quarter, half man half noodle is easy to discover with its bamboo sign and breezy outdoor seat by the entrance. The dark red theme under the dim lights and the simple decoration of its wooden furniture and antique pictures makes the bar look older than it is. The playlist is also a bit random such as the best album of Metallica, CCR or red hot chili peppers. Saturday nights are more attractive to DJ fans. The good quality food and the cheap prices (from 30 000 for a drink)are two main reasons for the frequent appearance of regular expats throw come for the ambience, especially in the late hours of the weekends. Last but not least, the kind and friendly will even call a reliable taxi for you to get home safely if you are a little worse for wear at the end of the evening.
2. Z bar coffee and bar - let’s get loud.
Just a few paces from French International School, you can join lively space of z coffee bar. The bar is open at dawn with mellow melodies of chill-out, Ambient, and Jazz. As the dusk gradually descendent, the bar get more livelier under its twinkling lights to the noisier sound of Rock and Hip-hop before drifting back to the rhythms of RnB and House. Live Music sets are performed every Wed, Fri and Sat by local acoustic bands at which guests can even request songs or performed together with the band, making the musical highlights of the bar all the more unique. The wide range of juices, mixing coolers, smoothies, cocktails, beers and wine offer you a wide range of choice for a cool price from just VND 30 000 signature drinks and shooters such as Flaming Lamborghini, AMF and Z coffee cocktails are well worth tasting. The staffs are young and always smile for the guests however you may still get a little annoyed at the slow service during “Rush Hour” after 8 pm. However, order the beer at an amazingly low price (from VND 25 000) may help calm you down.
3. Maya Coffee - The end is nigh
Separated from the capital ‘busy streets, Maya café aims to transport you to the quiet and mysterious ancient Mayan civilization. As its name suggests, the café is designed with all things representing the Mayan theme, from the decoration, typical writing and drawing on the wall matched with exquisite furniture and ornaments to its menu.
Coffee transported from Dak Lak – home of the most delicious local coffee – is mixed to a special formula, offering customers a strange new tasty coffee. Ice cream, deserts named Maya and Iticaca are served in Mayan decorated glass boats, making the typical coffee beverage at the more temping, from VND 50 000.Other drinks cost less from VND 20 000. Another attraction of the café is that for the price of a drink, you can freely use the Karaoke System or watch HD movie and live football matches on the second floor. Free ca parking is another plus.
Bars and coffee shops in Hochiminh City
1. Seventeen saloon – Let’s go west.
You do not have to “Go West”, you can still throw a western-style party in the heart of Saigon. Stepping through the doorway, you are welcomed by a pretty cowgirl in boots and cowboy hat. You may find you mind swaying with Rock & Roll, Pop Rock, R&B and heavy metal while friendly cowgirls are serving you drink and popcorn. The stage is in the centre of this wild looking saloon with its interior design nicely imitating a cowboy bar. This saloon is also a recommended place for young folk looking hang out at special events such as thanksgiving, American Independence Day and Charismas eve. Every night form 7 pm till 9pm, buy one tiger beer get one free. Light snacks like BBQ and cowboy corndogs are also served. Price starts from VND 74 900. Open 7 pm until late.
2. Wild Pub – go wild, free style.
Situated at the heart of Pham Ngu Lao, this small pub gives us a heartburn with its crazy pink girl Cocktail, a combination of Rum and cola. Free style decoration, with chair and table creatively made from recycled material and walls painted with graffiti apparently form the uniqueness of the pub. Red Saigon Beer, Cuba Libre and Jager Bomb are well known drinks of this place. The capacity is only about 40 customers, as small as a bar in a cowboy movie. Price of drinks ranges from VND 20 000 to VND 60000. If you are lucky you may come on the day a local rock band is performing, to entertain you with folk rock and acoustic songs. The kind owner of this pub is ready to offer 10 % off for those who visit during happy hour from 6 pm to 8 pm. Open daily from 10 am to 11 pm
3. Da Tung Thay – Reminiscence of the past.
Da Tung Thay is a place where many young Vietnamese gather to share recycling ideas. Professional band come to play acoustic guitar songs every Saturday night. From 11.30 am to 1.30 pm lunch serves for only VND 40 000/ person. Customers can enjoy a lunch set comprising steamed rice, soup, fried vegetables and drinks. The shop is also well known for its coffee. By serving coffee Buon Ma Thuot style (Strong black coffee with single ice cube) and gridding the coffee beans upon request, the coffee is free chemical contaminants and retains its original taste. All furniture is classic. On the wall, some black & white pictures and old clocks are hung to record the timeline of one’ life. On the second floor, where a small library is, wall paper is made of old books. In the hope that customers can find some things that once, belonged to them, the shop’s decoration focuses on vintage style. Open 8 am to 11pm daily
This article is written by Ha Nguyen from Vietnam Heritage Travel Company
But the nighttime fun doesn't just extend to drinking. You can always catch one of the many beautiful culture shows which present the important and rich facets of Vietnamese culture. Nighttime entertainment choices include the famous Vietnamese Water Puppet Show and traditional dance shows.
Bar and coffee shops in Hanoi
1. Half man half noodle – fully chilled
Located in the centre of the old quarter, half man half noodle is easy to discover with its bamboo sign and breezy outdoor seat by the entrance. The dark red theme under the dim lights and the simple decoration of its wooden furniture and antique pictures makes the bar look older than it is. The playlist is also a bit random such as the best album of Metallica, CCR or red hot chili peppers. Saturday nights are more attractive to DJ fans. The good quality food and the cheap prices (from 30 000 for a drink)are two main reasons for the frequent appearance of regular expats throw come for the ambience, especially in the late hours of the weekends. Last but not least, the kind and friendly will even call a reliable taxi for you to get home safely if you are a little worse for wear at the end of the evening.
2. Z bar coffee and bar - let’s get loud.
Just a few paces from French International School, you can join lively space of z coffee bar. The bar is open at dawn with mellow melodies of chill-out, Ambient, and Jazz. As the dusk gradually descendent, the bar get more livelier under its twinkling lights to the noisier sound of Rock and Hip-hop before drifting back to the rhythms of RnB and House. Live Music sets are performed every Wed, Fri and Sat by local acoustic bands at which guests can even request songs or performed together with the band, making the musical highlights of the bar all the more unique. The wide range of juices, mixing coolers, smoothies, cocktails, beers and wine offer you a wide range of choice for a cool price from just VND 30 000 signature drinks and shooters such as Flaming Lamborghini, AMF and Z coffee cocktails are well worth tasting. The staffs are young and always smile for the guests however you may still get a little annoyed at the slow service during “Rush Hour” after 8 pm. However, order the beer at an amazingly low price (from VND 25 000) may help calm you down.
3. Maya Coffee - The end is nigh
Separated from the capital ‘busy streets, Maya café aims to transport you to the quiet and mysterious ancient Mayan civilization. As its name suggests, the café is designed with all things representing the Mayan theme, from the decoration, typical writing and drawing on the wall matched with exquisite furniture and ornaments to its menu.
Coffee transported from Dak Lak – home of the most delicious local coffee – is mixed to a special formula, offering customers a strange new tasty coffee. Ice cream, deserts named Maya and Iticaca are served in Mayan decorated glass boats, making the typical coffee beverage at the more temping, from VND 50 000.Other drinks cost less from VND 20 000. Another attraction of the café is that for the price of a drink, you can freely use the Karaoke System or watch HD movie and live football matches on the second floor. Free ca parking is another plus.
Bars and coffee shops in Hochiminh City
1. Seventeen saloon – Let’s go west.
You do not have to “Go West”, you can still throw a western-style party in the heart of Saigon. Stepping through the doorway, you are welcomed by a pretty cowgirl in boots and cowboy hat. You may find you mind swaying with Rock & Roll, Pop Rock, R&B and heavy metal while friendly cowgirls are serving you drink and popcorn. The stage is in the centre of this wild looking saloon with its interior design nicely imitating a cowboy bar. This saloon is also a recommended place for young folk looking hang out at special events such as thanksgiving, American Independence Day and Charismas eve. Every night form 7 pm till 9pm, buy one tiger beer get one free. Light snacks like BBQ and cowboy corndogs are also served. Price starts from VND 74 900. Open 7 pm until late.
2. Wild Pub – go wild, free style.
Situated at the heart of Pham Ngu Lao, this small pub gives us a heartburn with its crazy pink girl Cocktail, a combination of Rum and cola. Free style decoration, with chair and table creatively made from recycled material and walls painted with graffiti apparently form the uniqueness of the pub. Red Saigon Beer, Cuba Libre and Jager Bomb are well known drinks of this place. The capacity is only about 40 customers, as small as a bar in a cowboy movie. Price of drinks ranges from VND 20 000 to VND 60000. If you are lucky you may come on the day a local rock band is performing, to entertain you with folk rock and acoustic songs. The kind owner of this pub is ready to offer 10 % off for those who visit during happy hour from 6 pm to 8 pm. Open daily from 10 am to 11 pm
3. Da Tung Thay – Reminiscence of the past.
Da Tung Thay is a place where many young Vietnamese gather to share recycling ideas. Professional band come to play acoustic guitar songs every Saturday night. From 11.30 am to 1.30 pm lunch serves for only VND 40 000/ person. Customers can enjoy a lunch set comprising steamed rice, soup, fried vegetables and drinks. The shop is also well known for its coffee. By serving coffee Buon Ma Thuot style (Strong black coffee with single ice cube) and gridding the coffee beans upon request, the coffee is free chemical contaminants and retains its original taste. All furniture is classic. On the wall, some black & white pictures and old clocks are hung to record the timeline of one’ life. On the second floor, where a small library is, wall paper is made of old books. In the hope that customers can find some things that once, belonged to them, the shop’s decoration focuses on vintage style. Open 8 am to 11pm daily
This article is written by Ha Nguyen from Vietnam Heritage Travel Company
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