Gay Ho Chi Minh City: guide to the best bars of Saigon, clubs, hotels and more

“Guys, just follow my lead and slowly cross the road with me: the cars and motorbikes will just weave their way around you…”

…so said our friend Quan who showed us how to navigate the crazy traffic of the streets of Saigon. Honestly, you've not been to Saigon until you've tried to cross over one of the main roads or taken a scooter ride through the busy jungle of moving vehicles; it's something you won't forget in a hurry!

Saigon is a lot of fun. It's busy, frenetic, has super feisty locals, manic traffic, and delicious street food. The gay scene is also pretty good, with a large LGBTQ community of both ex-pats and locals.

This is one place we quickly fell in love with and know you will too! It's definitely a must for LGBTQ travelers visiting South East Asia and we've got you covered in our comprehensive gay travel guide right here.

What's the difference between Saigon and Ho Chi Minh City?

So we hear you asking, what's the actual difference between Saigon and Ho Chi Minh City? Is it the same place?

Short answer – yes! The city has actually gone by many different names in its long and complicated history, reflecting different groups that have controlled it through the years. It was named “Gia Din” until the French conquest of the 1860s, when it was named Sài Gòn – and westernized to be “Saigon”. After the ‘Fall of Saigon‘ at the end of the Vietnam war, the city was renamed Ho Chi Minh City in honor of the late North Vietnamese president, Mr. Ho Chi Minh.

Nowadays the name Saigon is still used to refer to the city center around District 1, while Ho Chi Minh City generally means the entire modern city with all its districts. But don't be surprised to still find places (especially hotels) named after Saigon as people often use the names interchangeably.

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How safe is Ho Chi Minh City for gay travelers?

We found Vietnam as a whole to be quite welcoming towards us as a gay couple. In relation to LGBTQ rights, Vietnam has never had any anti-gay laws and although gay marriage is not yet recognized, the outright ban on it was lifted in 2015.

One thing we would mention is just to take caution with public displays of affection and perhaps avoid them being on the safe side. As gay friendly as Vietnam is towards foreigners, attitudes nonetheless are quite conservative and there are still no anti-discrimination laws in place to protect you should anything happen.

While Hanoi hosts the main gay events, Ho Chi Minh is where you will find the best gay bars and clubs in all of Vietnam. It's also home to a large and thriving LGBTQ community comprised of both ex-pats and locals. The gay scene of Saigon is constantly changing and evolving; bars/clubs open and close all the time, which we've kept up to date in this guide.

Find out more in our interview with local boy Quan from Saigon about gay life in Vietnam.

The gay neighborhood of Ho Chi Minh City

There isn't an official gay neighborhood in Ho Chi Minh City, but most of the queer hangouts can be found in and around District 1, which is also the most touristic area. District 1 is home to the city's major museums, fine dining, and exciting nightlife, as well as most of the international 5-star hotels.

If you're traveling on a budget, you'll want to check out the area on the fringes of District 1, which has become known as “the backpacker district”. There are plenty of affordable gay friendly accommodation options around Bui Vien and Pham Ngu Lao streets, while still being close to all the major sights.

Gay hotels in Saigon

All the places we stayed in Saigon had no issue with hosting a gay couple. As a rule of thumb, international chain hotels are accustomed to dealing with LGBQ travelers anyway, and there are also a handful of hotels that also cater specifically to queer travelers, which we've set out here:

01

The Reverie Saigon

District 1

There's a beautiful outdoor swimming pool on the 6th floor, which looks out over Saigon and features plenty of comfy spots to lounge. The large fitness center also gives you the chance to work up a sweat while looking out over the pool or the city through panoramic windows. For some relaxation and pampering the spa has a huge list of treatments to enjoy, from massages to body wraps, facials, body scrubs, and massages. They also offer a romantic couple's packages.

There are no less than FIVE different places to dine in the Reverie. Romeo and Juliet Restaurant (or R&J as it's often called) serves authentic Italian dishes in a stunning space with Italian mosaics, elaborate candelabras, and a collection of differently styled dining chairs. There's also the Royal Pavilion for exquisite Chinese cuisine (and decor) while Cafe Cardinal has the best French desserts and pastries. If you can manage to roll yourself outside, the rest of the city will be waiting for you!

02

Park Hyatt Saigon

District 1

As you can see, the outdoor pool is a haven of relaxation and sophistication. The provided pool service means you can have a drink or snack while lounging in the sun, or perhaps a romantic sunset cocktail. There's also a large fitness center with lots of amenities to keep yourself looking good. The Xuan Spa uses traditional Vietnamese rituals and ingredients, with treatments based on resources from the Mekong Delta – the perfect way to relax after sightseeing.

While you'll be able to easily explore the restaurants and cafes surrounding the hotel, there are also plenty of fine dining options within the building. Opera is the main restaurant, comprising the main dining room, bar, and verandah where you can enjoy Italian cuisine. Square One on the mezzanine floor combines French and Vietnamese dishes for unique flavors as well as a cellar door for wine tasting. And that's not even mentioning the two bars, pastry boutique, and lounge where you can have afternoon tea!

03

Beautiful Saigon Boutique Hotel

District 1

The bedrooms are very clean and cozy. To save money you could book a room without a window, although it's still very affordable to stay in one with a balcony and/or a pool view. Even though the hotel is located in a busy part of town, known for its noisy nightlife, the hotel itself is very quiet. The staff is exceedingly friendly, helpful, and able to assist you in organizing excursions or activities to do in the city.

Guests can enjoy a big (free!) buffet breakfast next to the pool each morning, with many western and Vietnamese dishes to sample, from traditional Vietnamese pho, to good old bacon & eggs. Beautiful Saigon also has its own in-house spa, where you can relax with different types of massages, or treatments such as waxing, pedicures, body scrubs, and body wraps.

04

Prei Nokor Hostel

District 1

The staff is super friendly, helpful, and chatty with everyone. They will tell you all about the history of Saigon as well as give recommendations for things to do, see, and where to eat nearby. The hostel is also right next to the huge Ben Thanh market, which has a food section as well as lots of options for buying souvenirs or gifts to take home with you.

We love how the interior of the hostel looks like an ultra-modern New York loft, with balconies looking down over the courtyard and potted plants everywhere. Even the dorm rooms are beautifully designed with privacy curtains, plenty of storage space, lamps inside your bunk, and gorgeous shared bathrooms. Walking inside Prei Nokor is like stepping into another world!

Gay Bars in Ho Chi Minh City

We loved the gay scene in Saigon. There is a large and active LGBTQ community here along with a handful of gay bars to check out. Most of them can be found on the lively De Tham Street, in the heart of the backpacker area.

Note that the following gay bars in Saigon have permanently closed: The Tipsy Unicorn, Papa Cafe, and Whiskey & Wares (which has been rebranded as Pride Cafe Restaurant).

ChinChin Bar (and Republic Lounge)

We love the gay scene of Saigon mainly because of ChinChin Bar. It's a super fun night out where almost every gay in the city eventually ends up at! We suggest heading here around 11 pm or midnight when it starts to get going. On Wednesdays they have “Boys Nights” on Friday evenings they have hilarious drag shows that you have to see at least once! Oh – and did we forget the cocktails? They're pretty damn tasty and super unique – CoCo Cum anyone? That's gin, contreau, strawberry puree, and bubblegum!

ChinChin is located at 75 hồ Tùng Mậu d1 and is open only from Wednesday to Sunday till late.

Note that ChinChin took over the old Republic Lounge and sometimes may refer to the new bar as ‘Chin Chin Republic'. Do not confuse it with ‘called ‘Republic Club', which is a completely different (straight) club in Saigon!

Thi Bar

Located in the Bui Vien backpacker's area, Thi Bar is owned and run by a French-Vietnamese gay couple. It attracts a mixed crowd who come to enjoy the live music. Friday and Saturday are the main gay nights where the local gay lads alternate between The Tipsy Unicorn and here before heading over to ChinChin later on. Located at 224 De Tham Street, Thi Bar is open every day (except Tuesdays) until late.

Frolic Bar

Frolic is the hot new gay bar in Ho Chi Minh, with a vibe similar to the old Tipsy Uniform that has since closed down. It attracts a mixed LGBTQ crowd as well as backpackers, giving it a very open and accepting vibe. Their Disco Nights on Saturdays are the most popular. Other themed nights include “Girls Night” on Wednesdays and “Frolic Friday” (oh Matron!)… Frolic is located at 63 De Tham, Q1, and is open daily until around 2 am (6 am on weekends).

Poc Poc Beer Garden

Poc Poc is a local pub famous for its beers. It's the best place to come and connect with locals, but the best time to come is on weekends when they host their own themed drag shows. Due to the drag shows, Poc Poc attracts a very mixed LGBTQ crowd on weekends, particularly locals. Poc Poc Beer Garden is located at 79A Nguyễn Đình Chiểu, Phường Võ Thị Sáu and is open daily until around 2am.

Vietnamese Gay Drag Bingo Shows

For a very local LGBTQ experience, we recommend heading to one of the drag gay bingo shows. They're located a bit far out from the center, but well worth the trek. One of the most famous is called Lô tô Hương nam, which has a show every day at 6:30 pm – the location is Đầm Sen Nightmarket, kênh Tân Hoá st, ward 3, District 11. Another awesome Vietnamese drag bingo show to check out is Sai Gòn Tân thời, which has a show every week, usually, on a Friday – location is Outdoor stage 141 Bắc hải, 14 Ward, D10.

Gay clubs in Ho Chi Minh City

The main gay club in Saigon is ChinChin. There are also a few gay events that take place every few weeks or months at different locations throughout the city. We've set the main ones out below:

Full Disclosure Entertainment

Full Disclosure Entertainment organizes super fun gay parties in Saigon every month. Our favorite is ‘Yaaaas' – let's just say that as pop music geeks, we can never get enough of Britney, Beyonce, and Lady Gaga on the dancefloor! Make sure you check their Facebook page to see what's coming up while you're in the city.

Les Come Out

Another excellent organization that organizes lesbian and trans-inclusive parties. It was created by the ‘Amazing Race 5' contestants Nic and Lisa Truong-Marchetto. They aim to provide safe spaces for the local LGBTQ community and we totally high-five them for this! Be sure to check out their Facebook page for details of the latest upcoming events.

GenderFunk

Another favorite of ours. GenderFuck hosts the best gender-inclusive parties in Saigon with hilarious drag performances. This is a safe space where anyone, regardless of gender or orientation, can express themselves and experience the fun of drag. Check out their Facebook page to find out details of the next party.

Gay events in Saigon

In terms of official gay events in Ho Chi Minh City, there's really only VietPride in August. We've also included some other fun events that are definitely worth checking out if you're there at the right time of year.

VietPride aka Saigon Pride (August)

While VietPride began in Hanoi, it now takes place in cities across the country, including Saigon. A big parade marches down Nguyen Street with thousands of participants waving rainbow flags. There are also lots of gay parties, film screenings, and other activities surrounding the Pride celebrations, so keep an eye on the Facebook page if you want to know all the details for the next one.

Tet – Vietnamese New Year (February)

Tet is the name for the Vietnamese New Year, which takes place based on the lunar calendar and is the most important celebration in Vietnamese culture. Celebrating the arrival of spring, Tet usually falls in January or February. During Tet, Vietnamese families make traditional foods and also decorate their homes with beautiful flower displays.

Songkran (April)

Songkran is the Buddhist New Year, which is most known for being celebrated in Thailand but is also celebrated by many Buddhists in Vietnam. In Saigon, the entire gay community gets involved to take part in the “Thai water festival Songkran” which is like a huge street-wide water fight organized by Saigon Outcast.

National Day (September)

National Day or Independence Day is a national holiday in Vietnam that celebrates the declaration of independence of Vietnam after WWII as well as commemorates the passing away of Ho Chi Minh. Taking place on the 2nd of September every year, you'll be able to see lots of lit-up signs, flags, flower displays, a parade, and even fireworks at night.

Mid-Autumn Festival (September/October)

The mid-autumn festival, also known as Trung Thu, celebrates the end of the harvest season and is the second most important festival in Vietnam after the Lunar New Year. The best way to celebrate Trung Thu in Saigon is in the Phu Bin lantern-making village, one of the few villages in the city that still make glass paper lanterns for the festival. It's beautiful to see all the lanterns glowing, and don't forget to try some delicious traditional moon cakes.

Gay saunas/spas in Saigon

There are many male-only spas and saunas in Saigon, where you can go for some discrete cruising action. Vietnamese guys are usually pretty shy so you might need to make the first move, but these saunas are also a good way to just relax and make some new friends.

NaDam Spa

NaDam Spa is one of the biggest and most well-known gay saunas in the city, with truly stunning Vietnamese architecture. There are wooden walkways above a pond filled with koi and numerous leafy plants everywhere. Facilities include a steam room, dry sauna, a wet area with rain showers, and two bathing pools, one with Jacuzzi jets and massage fountains. This is a gorgeous spot to relax and maybe have some fun! Located at QL13, Hiep Binh Chanh Ward, NaDam Spa is open every day from midday until 10 pm.

69Sauna

Run by the same people behind De.Soi9 Sauna, 69Sauna is a popular gay sauna that holds regular themed days for bears, students, etc. Spread out over two floors there's a sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi, and even a private play space called “The Tiger Cage Area” – phwoar!!! The SixtyNine Zone is located at 16 Trần Quý Khoách and is open every day from 11 am-11 pm.

De.soi9 Sauna

De.soi9 is not your typical sauna, but definitely a lot of fun! Down a quiet alley in the heart of Saigon, there's a lush garden that makes the place feel more like a beer garden than a sauna. There's a steam room, sauna, cinema, Jacuzzi, and private cabins, as well as a nice rooftop where you can laze in the sun. De.soi9 Sauna is located at 24 Dinh Tien Hoang Street and is open daily from 1 pm-10 pm.

3 Some Spa

Located right by the Saigon Zoo & Botanical Garden, this is a newish gay spa that specializes in traditional Vietnamese massages. There's also a sauna, Jacuzzi, and titanium salt bath to enjoy. We like the little included extras like free water, herbal tea, coffee, and fruit. 3 Some Spa is open every day from 11.30 am-11.30 pm and is located at 29/6 Nguyen Binh Khiem St.

Gay restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City has an abundance of excellent restaurants serving cuisine from around the world, particularly French, Chinese and Vietnamese. These are our favorite gay-owned or gay-friendly restaurants and cafes where you can have some delicious food.

Pride Cafe

We love Pride Cafe! It's the perfect spot for coffee, brunch, or lunch in Ho Chi Minh City. The decor is chill and super-trendy, did you see those swings?! We also love the neon lighting and photos on the walls of gay pride events. Pride Cafe serves scrumptious coffees where you can pick both your beans and your brewing method. Make sure you try one of their signature drinks as well, like the luscious Tiramisu frappe. They do light snacks like pastries as well as delicious smoothies and juices.

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Secret Garden

This place really lives up to its name, since it's hidden down an alley and at the top of a four-story building. Secret Garden serves home-cooked Vietnamese meals in a lovely breezy rooftop patio setting, decorated with pretty lanterns, wooden furniture, and lots of plants. It's welcoming to foreigners but also very popular with locals, due to the delicious and authentic Vietnamese cuisine. The Goi Du Du Tom Thit (yeah, we know, try not to laugh when ordering ‘du du'!) was our favorite – it's a delicious papaya salad with dried shrimp and dried pork that really pops with flavor.

Filthy Vegan

Don't despair vegan and vegetarian readers, there are some excellent options in Saigon, especially the epic Filthy Vegan restaurant! Not only is everything on the menu vegan, but they also try very hard to be zero waste, with biodegradable utensils and packaging for takeaway. Filthy Vegan serves some delicious vegan versions of western home-comfort and junk foods like cottage pie, hot dogs, cheesecake, or doughnuts. The owner Keiron is very friendly and a fountain of knowledge about what to do around the city. Don't miss the cozy bean bag lounge area upstairs.

What to do in Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City has a rich history that begs to be explored, as well as lots of exciting modern sights and activities. These are the best things to do in and around Ho Chi Minh City which we really enjoyed:

Cu Chi Tunnels Daytrip

One of the most famous attractions in Ho Chi Minh City, and deservedly so, are the Cu Chi Tunnels. During the Vietnam War, this immense network of underground tunnels was used extensively by Viet Cong troops. Nowadays the tunnels have been converted into a war memorial park where you can find out what conditions were like, and even squeeze yourself into some of the tunnels. Our tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels was absolutely fascinating, as well as an interesting way to learn more about some of the harsh realities of the Vietnam War.

Learn about Saigon's History

Saigon is home to many beautiful and historic buildings which you definitely need to explore during your time in the city. We discovered that the most fun way to experience all the beautiful spots was via a bicycle tour of the city. We loved seeing the French-colonial buildings throughout Saigon, like the stunning Notre Dame Cathedral, the General Post Office, and the Opera House. Exploring by bike also gives the tour a more authentic feel, since you're right in the heart of the action, plus our local guide took us to all the best street food markets for a delicious lunch.

Eat your way through the city

Vietnam is full of so much delicious food, and Saigon was a veritable smorgasbord for these two greedy boys! We joined a street food tour to find out all the best places to eat delicious local treats like bo cuon mo chai (barbecued beef meatballs) and bo bia (Saigonese spring roll). You also get to find out all about how Chinese cuisine has been integrated into Vietnamese life, while you munch on Cantonese barbecued pork and Chinese dim-sum. Make sure you also visit the amazing Ben Thanh Market, which sells lots of Vietnamese souvenirs, as well as having an incredible street food section.

Ascend Bitexco Financial Tower

With a design based on Vietnam's national flower, the lotus, the Bitexco Financial Tower is the second tallest building in Saigon. You can visit the tower's Skydeck for breathtaking views over the city, especially romantic if you time your trip for sunset. There are information panels about the different parts of the city, as well as the Ao Dai Museum where you can see traditional Vietnamese costumes. There's also a bar, cafe, and restaurant on different floors of the tower if you want a meal with panoramic views. Beer aficionados will particularly love the very fun Heineken experience too!

Visit the Mekong Delta

To the west of Saigon is the beautiful Mekong Delta area, a region where the Mekong River empties into the sea through small tributary channels. We found this area to be the perfect destination for a day trip out of the city, where you can see a more rural way of life as well as keeping an eye out for the 1000s of animal species native to the region. You can visit the Mekong Delta on a ‘non-touristy' day trip which includes exploring an orchid farm, cycling next to rice fields, cruising down the river, and stopping off at a local temple. A traditional Vietnamese lunch is included, plus there are charming country markets to explore.

See a performance at the Saigon Opera House

The Saigon Opera House is a beautiful building in Ho Chi Minh City, built in the French Colonial style in 1897. Sure, you can just visit and look at it from the outside, but what we really recommend is seeing a breathtaking acrobatics show inside! You'll get to see stone-carved statues at the entrance, as well as the crystal chandeliers, and shiny granite floor in the lobby area – all built with materials imported from France.

Explore the War Remnants Museum

To learn more about the Vietnam War and its effects on the people of Vietnam, we highly recommend a visit to the War Remnants Museum. It's very eye-opening to see how the war is viewed and talked about in Vietnam as opposed to how it's often portrayed in Western media. The moving exhibits and information can be confronting but it's always important to understand the horrors of war so we can try not to repeat past mistakes. You can combine a visit to the War Remnants Museum with a tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels, or just head there by yourself.

Learn to make Vietnamese coffee

We love a good cup of coffee and we especially luuurve the Vietnamese style! You might be surprised to discover that coffee was only brought to Vietnam in the late 19th-century by the French colonists since there are coffee shops everywhere now. There are many coffee plantations in the central highlands of Vietnam, and the country is one of the biggest coffee exporters in the world. We joined a coffee-making class in Saigon to find out more about the history of Vietnamese coffee, also known as Ca Phe Sua Da, and why it's so delicious. Hint: it's not just about the sweetened condensed milk…

Experience a water-puppet show

Water puppetry is a Vietnamese tradition that dates back to the 11th-century and is a pretty amazing thing to see. The puppets are made of lacquered wood and controlled by puppeteers from behind a screen. The puppets are on a piece of wood and the shows are performed over a pool of water, so it looks like the puppets are actually floating. You can see a water puppet show in Saigon while listening to traditional Vietnamese orchestral music and then go on a dinner cruise afterward, We loved this colorful experience, especially seeing a fire-breathing dragon puppet!

See crocodiles, bats, and monkeys (oh my!) in the mangroves

If you want the chance to see some wild animals like monkeys and crocodiles, then we really enjoyed taking a day trip to the Vam Sat Mangrove Forest near Saigon. This biosphere reserve is teeming with wildlife among the mangrove trees, and it was just enchanting to cruise along the tranquil waters. We saw gibbons, monkeys, birds, bats, and crocodiles on our trip, even getting the chance to feed the crocs via a fishing rod! Sometimes Saigon can be very chaotic and loud, so being able to get out into nature is a wonderful, relaxing way to recharge.

Planning your trip to Saigon

We've put together some handy hints and tips to help you plan your own trip to Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon. Read on to find out everything the gay traveler should know before they go.

Gay map of Ho Chi Minh City

We've made this gay map of Saigon with all the gay bars, clubs, hotels, restaurants, and attractions we've talked about here, so you can more easily plan your own visit to Ho Chi Minh City.

Read more travel adventures like this in our book!

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For more inspiration:

• While you're in Saigon make sure you try some of these best traditional foods from Vietnam
• You might also be interested to read these surprising facts about Vietnam
• Find out what it was like for us traveling through Asia as a gay couple
• If you're heading that way, we have a gay first-timer's itinerary for visiting Japan
• As well as our full gay city guide to Tokyo
• Check out which are the biggest gay pride events in the world
• Then get inspired by these fabulous outfits for gay pride
• And don't forget to pack these must-have accessories for pride as well
• Find out why we love attending London Pride every year

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