Ho Chi Minh City changes into another style when night covers the streets. Saigon’s nightlife begins with many lively activities, more food stores opening, people going out, and colourful lights. Do not stay at accommodations; step out onto the roads to experience the local life at night.
Here are the nightlight experiences that you can try.
1. Explore Ben Thanh Night Market
Ben Thanh Night Market is a popular night destination for both locals and tourists in Ho Chi Minh City. It is organized with many shops and a food store, and visitors can take a walk along the streets.
Many visitors come here to experience the typical Saigon nightlife. Plenty of young Saigonese look for exclusive goods, and all are eager to spend time in the open-air shopping area.
This night market is arranged on two sides of the Ben Thanh market. The stalls begin at dusk, but the busiest time is after 8:00 pm and lasts until late at night. The market opens daily on Phan Boi Chau, Phan Chu Trinh, Nguyen An Ninh, and Luu Van Lang Streets.
After dinner, you can relax while walking to enjoy the fresh night air and shopping. The market has contributed to creating a unique feature for the nightlife in Saigon.
2.Enjoy local dishes
This experience attracts most guests when travelling to Saigon. Spending time tasting a few local foods in HCMC enriches the journey.
The exciting thing about this activity is that you must go late at night when the city lights up, and no cars are left. Famous restaurants are open all night long, so you have a lot of choices. A hot plate of grilled pork chop broken rice, a bowl of steaming rice noodles, and a glass of sweet soy milk will fascinate you.
The broken rice and pancakes are typical dishes for night street food in Saigon. So, you try them one time to learn the usual flavors of the local food in this city.
3. Go to the bars and clubs
Many people believe that bars are unhealthy and costly. But in fact, this is an activity chosen by most visitors, like exciting nightlife. In the middle of the night, vibrant music and colorful lights are lit up in bars or clubs in many streets.
Bui Vien Street at midnight still attracts a large number of foreign and domestic tourists with many bars.
At the bar, you can relieve the stress of work and a busy life. This is also an ideal place to gather friends. Many bars are affordable and organize exciting entertainment programs, especially on holidays like Christmas in Vietnam and New Year.
>>> If you want to visit the elegant bars, please check Little Japan Saigon.
4. Spend time at a white night cafe
Saigon was originally dubbed the “sleepless city” because its pace of life is very lively at night. It is not hard to find a midnight resting place.
Sitting in the 24-hour cafes is also an enjoyable experience. In a small corner with a cup of bitter coffee, you can easily see the city at night more clearly.
Some non-sleeping cafes, such as Thuc Coffee, Heritage Coffee & Clothes, Factory, and Anh Coffee, can be mentioned. Thuc Coffee is the name you will think of first for sleepless nights.
5. Visit convenience stores
The space of convenience stores like Circle K, Family Mart, and B’s Mart will make you feel like you’re in a familiar modern country. Most of the stores in this 24/7 retail system have a drink bar outside or lounge chairs inside, so you can enjoy the food and drinks you’ve bought in a relaxing time.
The advantage of this 24-hour retail chain is that it has an extensive menu and a variety of drinks. If you’re hungry, the food here will temporarily satisfy your stomach.
6. Explore the streets in Saigon
If you prefer not to sit still, you can hop on the motorbike or cyclo to run on the streets in the city center. The long, green trees will bring you a sense of relaxation. After going around on the roads, you can stop at a white night cafe to taste a cup of Vietnamese coffee before continuing your journey.
Somewhere in the corners of the Saigon streets is their own beauty, adorning the city at night and making locals and tourists love this city more.
7. Go to the sleepless market Ho Thi Ky
The market of Ho Thi Ky is busier from 1:00 am. The market, considered “Little Dalat” in the heart of Saigon, has its own beauty. The scene of kiosks full of flowers, almost from Da Lat City, and the fragrant scent will leave you with an unforgettable impression.
Ho Thi Ky Flower Market is on a street of the same name, hidden in the Le Hong Phong apartment building in Ward 1, District 10. This attraction is one of the largest wholesale flower markets in Saigon, nearly 40 years old.
You will easily find all kinds of flowers, from chrysanthemums, coins, and auspicious flowers to orchids, pink, sunflowers, and lilacs. All are shown in colorful stalls and are always radiantly blooming under shimmering lights.
Strolling around the flower market in the chilly atmosphere late at night, the sound of motorbikes carrying goods, and the sound of buyers and sellers resounding continuously, you will still feel the vibrant nightlife very different from a busy Saigon.
>> Please plan a trip from Ho Chi Minh to Dalat to see more beautiful flowers!
8. Take a cruise on the river
The Saigon River flows through the middle of the city. Taking a cruise is one of the best activities for enjoying Ho Chi Minh City’s nightlife.
You can combine to book a dinner on the cruise to enjoy the meal and look at the scenery of Saigon on both sides of the river. You will find a different view of this busy city because you can feel peaceful and relaxed on the river.
You can find them at Ben Nghe Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, to take a cruise, but it’s a good idea to book them in advance.
9. Enjoy a panorama view at the rooftop bar
At night in Saigon, taking a panorama view of the city and enjoying the cool air on the rooftop bars is a great experience. While tasting a cocktail, you relax in the open air without horns and motorbikes.
Many rooftop bars in Saigon offer lovely scenery for you to choose from, such as Chill Sky Bar at AB Tower, 76 Le Lai, District 1; Saigon Rooftop Bar at Caravelle Saigon 23 Lam Son Square, District 1; M Bar at Hotel Majestic Saigon at 1 Dong Khoi, District 1, HCM.
One thing to note about rooftop bars is that the price of drinks is often higher than in regular bars. But it is also valuable to spend some time experiencing the lovely views of Saigon at night.
When visiting Ho Chi Minh City, nightlife is an interesting activity that you should not miss to experience a different side of local life. Choose one or two things mentioned above to do in Saigon, and you can have a memorable time in this beautiful city.
Which nightlife activity will you choose when you visit Ho Chi Minh City?
