The Ultimate Guide to Drinking Beer in Saigon

I. When did beer appear in Saigon?

Beer production in Vietnam dates back more than 200 years ago. Hanoi and Saigon (former name of Ho Chi Minh City) were 2 first places where beers were produced and consumed in the country. With journalism, bank, passport, foreign languages, bread, fast foods, coffee, BEER is one of the new things French people brought to Saigon. Beer has become an important part of lifestyle and culture in the city since the 1870s. It has been said that beer appeared in Saigon in 1875 at a small factory owned by a French – Mrs. Victore Larue.

II. How much do people in Saigon drink?

In 2017, Vietnamese people spent 81 billion VND every day. Beer consumption in Vietnam still rising rapidly. Beer consumption in Vietnam topped 4 billion liters last year, representing a year-on-year increase of 6 percents. During Tet festival in  2018, Saigon people consumed 44 millions of liters of beers. When you come to Saigon, you can see they drink everywhere, from upscale restaurants to outdoor drink stall on the pavements. The Vietnamese beer market is becoming a game for many foreign giants and Vietnamese brands. So that when you are in the city, it is a big chance to enjoy lots of favorite beers of Saigon people, including Saigon Gold, Saigon Special, Hanoi Beer, etc.

III. Saigon beer culture

Some popular phrases related to drinking in Vietnam:

• Đi nhậu (Go drinking), Chai (Bottle), Lon (Can), Ly (Glass), Dô (Cheer), Một Hai Ba (One Two Three).

Things you should know before drinking beers in Ho Chi Minh City:

• Saigon people love to drink beer with some ice 🙂
• They usually eat (main dishes or snacks) while drinking.
• Some prefer to drink at restaurants with air-conditioners, bars, pubs. However, most of them like to drink at outdoor restaurants or stalls selling street foods.
• Saigon people tend to drink beers at night when they have finished their works and it is cooler and windy.
• They like to eat and drink at crowded, even cramped, noisy places.
• They talk so much and loudly, they make a lot of noise when shouting and cheering.
• Do not get shocked if you see lots of drunk guys with red faces at drinking places. In Saigon, they must drink until drunk.
• At some restaurants, nice waitresses and beer promoter girls in short skirts or sexy clothes tend to sell you more beers. It is normal in Vietnam as well as Saigon.
• Meetings, contracts are usually done at drinking places in Saigon.

IV. What kinds of beer do they drink in Vietnam and Saigon?

7 Largest beer companies in Vietnam

Vietnam’s leading brewer, Saigon Beer (Sabeco), accounted for 40% of the market, followed by what is now Heineken Vietnam. The beer companies in Vietnam, in order of market share, are listed as below:

• Sabeco; Products: Saigon Gold, Saigon Special, 333 Export, Saigon Export or Red Saigon, Saigon Lager; Originated in Saigon, Vietnam; Created by a French named Victore Larue in 1875; Website: http://www.sabeco.com.vn/en-US/home
• Heineken; Products: Heineken Lager, Tiger (since 1930), Tiger Crystal, Larue (since 1909), Strongbow; Originated in Amsterdam; Since 1873; Been in Vietnam since 1991; Website: http://www.heineken.com/vn
• Habeco; Products: Truc Bach, Hanoi Beer Premium, Green Hanoi Beer, Hanoi craft beer; Originated in Hanoi, Vietnam; Created by a French named Hommel in 1890; Website: http://www.habeco.com.vn/
• Carlsberg; Products: Huda, Huda Gold, Halida, Tuborg; Originated in Denmark; Since 1847; Been in Vietnam since 1993; Website: https://www.carlsbergvietnam.vn/en/
• Sapporo; Products: Sapporo Premium, Sapporo Blue Cap; Originated in Japan; Since 1876; Been in Vietnam since 2010; Website: https://www.sapporovietnam.com.vn/?lang=en
• AB InBev; Products: Budweiser, Beck’s; Originated in Belgium; Since 2008; Been in Vietnam since 2013; Website: https://www.ab-inbev.com/
• Masan Brewery; Products: White Lion; Originated in Vietnam; Since 2013; Website: https://www.masangroup.com/

11 most popular canned and bottled beers in Saigon

Main ingredients for beer include water, barley, hops, yeast, other grains such as rice, corn. The most popular canned and bottled beers in Ho Chi Minh City are as below:

• Heineken Lager Beer; Ingredients: water, barley, hops; Volume: 300 ml can; 5% alcohol; Price: 16,000 VND.

• Tiger Crystal Beer (Singaporean beer, controlled by Heneiken since 2012); Ingredients: water, barley, hops, grains; Volume: 330 ml can; 5% alcohol; Price: 14,000 VND; Website: http://tigerbeer.com/; Since 1930.

• Tiger Lager Beer; Ingredients: water, barley, hops, grains; Volume: 330 ml can; 5% alcohol; Price: 14,000 VND; Website: http://tigerbeer.com/; Since 1930.

• Sabeco Saigon Lager Beer (Green Saigon Beer); Ingredients: water, barley, hops, yeast, grains; Volume: 330 ml can; 4.9% alcohol; Price: 12,000 VND.

• Budweiser Beer; Ingredients: water, barley, hops, rice; Volume: 330 ml can; 5% alcohol; Price: 17,000 VND.

• Larue Beer (Vietnamese beer, controlled by Heneiken); Ingredients: water, barley, hops, rice; Volume: 330 ml can; 5% alcohol; Price: 8,500 VND; Website: http://www.bierelarue.com.vn/; First produced by a French named Victor Larue in 1909.

• Sapporo Premium Beer (Japanese); Ingredients: water, barley, hops, grains; Volume: 330 ml can; 4.6% alcohol; Price: 15,500 VND.

• Sabeco Saigon Export Beer (Red Saigon Beer); Ingredients: water, barley, hops; Volume: 335 ml bottle; 4.9% alcohol; Price: 10,500 VND.
• Sabeco Saigon 333; Ingredients: water, barley, hops, rice; Volume: 330 ml can; 5.3% alcohol; Price: 10,000 VND; Since 1875.

• Sabeco Saigon Special (Special Green Saigon Beer); Ingredients: water, barley, hops, rice; Volume: 330 ml can; 4.9% alcohol; Price: 13,000 VND.

Although Hanoi Beer is very popular in Hanoi and other regions, it is not the favorite of Saigon people. So that you can not find products of Habeco in the city. However, if you are in Hanoi, do not miss this amazing Vietnamese beer. One of the best beers from Habeco is as below:

• Habeco Hanoi Beer Premium (Vietnamese); Ingredients: water, barley, hops, rice; Volume: 330 ml can; 4.6% alcohol; Price: 10,000 VND.

* Note: Prices are different at different eating and drinking places. For example, a Tiger Beer costs more than 100,000 VND at a famous rooftop bar. But it costs only 14,000 VND on Bui Vien Street in Saigon backpacker area.

How to drink beers at their best?

• It is recommended to drink beers at 10 – 15 Celsius degrees.
• Buy beers produced within 9 months.
• It is better to drink the beers cold or with some ice.

Where to buy and drink canned and bottled beers in Ho Chi Minh City? You can order a beer at any upscale restaurants, most of the casual restaurants, eateries selling BBQ, snail, seafood, goat dishes, drink stalls on the streets. Your hotel also offers beers on their menu. Or you can buy them at convenience stores and supermarkets. Generally, you can obtain the popular beers easily in the city. Later, I will share with you the best places to eat and drink canned and bottled beers.

The most famous craft beers in Saigon

Habeco, Sapporo, and Heneiken are companies that produce craft beers in Vietnam. There are many restaurants brew their own crafts beers and become famous. They do not only sell the beer at their own restaurants but also distribute craft beers to retailers. Where to drink craft beer in Ho Chi Minh City? Craft beers are served at restaurants that are specialized in brewing craft beers, bars and pubs, and some restaurants.

Hoa Vien Brauhaus

Established in 1995, Hoa Vien Brauhaus is known as the first craft beer restaurant in Vietnam. This is the result of the cooperation of Czech and Vietnam. Hoa Vien Brauhaus is famous for black and yellow craft beers which are distributed to many retailers in Vietnam including Saigon.

Website: https://www.hoavien.vn/

Where to drink Hoa Vien Brauhaus Beer?

• Hoa Vien Brauhaus restaurant, 18Bis/28 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Da Kao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 9:00 – 23:00; Prices: 33,000/300ml glass; TripAdvisor: Hoa Vien Brauhaus.

Bia Tuoi Tiep

Bia Tuoi Tiep is a famous craft beer owned by a Vietnamese company, established in 2005. Classic black and yellow craft beers are worth trying. Prices: 50,000 – 55,000 VND/300ml glass; Prices of foods and other drinks: from 50,000 – 3,000,000 VND.

Website: https://biatuoitiepvn.com/

Where to drink Bia Tuoi Tiep?

• Gammer Beer, 107 Pasteur Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 9:00 – 23:59; TripAdvisor: Gammer Beer.

East West Brewing

Pale Ale is the signature of East West Brewing. The others include Far east IPA, Summer Hefe Weizen, Saigon Rose, Coffee Vanilla Porter, Independence Stout, Modern Belgian Blonde, Modern Belgian Dark. A glass of 300ml beer costs 75,000 – 100,000 VND.

Website: http://eastwestbrewing.vn/our-story/

Where to drink East West craft beer?

• East West Brewing, 181 – 185 Ly Tu Trong, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 11:00 – 23:59.
• Quince Eatery Restaurant, 37Bis Ky Con, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 17:30 – 23:00; TripAdvisor: East West Brewing.
• Jack’s BBQ, 50 Pasteur Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 10:00 – 23:00; TripAdvisor: Jack’s BBQ.
• Circle-K convenience stores. CLICK HERE to find locations of Circle K in Saigon.

Pasteur Street Brewing

Burnin’ Down The House Double IPA is one of the most favorite craft beer of Pasteur Street Brewing.

Website: https://pasteurstreet.com/

Where to drink Pasteur Street craft beer?

• Pasteur Street Brewing, 144 Pasteur Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 16:00 – 21:00. Prices: 45,000 – 95,000 VND/175ml glass; TripAdvisor: Pasteur Street Brewing.
• Urban Basement, 135 – 137 Ly Tu Trong Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 16:30 – 23:59; TripAdvisor: Urban Basement.
• Tap Out Vietnam, 170 Cong Quynh Street, Pham Ngu Lao Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 11:00 – 23:59; TripAdvisor: Tap Out Vietnam.
• Tap Room, 20 Xuan Thuy Street, Thao Dien Ward, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: Monday – Thursday 16:00 – 23:59; Friday – Sunday 11:00 – 12:00 (at noon on the next day)
• Tap Room, 67 Le Van Thiem Street, Tan Phong Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: Monday – Thursday 16:00 – 23:59; Friday – Sunday 11:00 – 11:00 (at noon on the next day)

Rooster

India Pale Ale is one of the most popular beer of Rooster.

Website: http://roosterbeers.com/

Where to drink Rooster craft beer?

• BiaCraft – Artisan Ales, 1 Le Ngo Cat Street, Ward 7, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 11:00 – 23:30; Website: https://biacraft.com/; TripAdvisor: BiaCraft.
• The Gangs – Grill & Beer, 32 Mac Dinh Chi Street, Da Kao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 11:00 – 23:59; TripAdvisor: The Gangs
• Butcher Manzo & Craft Beer Bar, 17/13 – 17/14 Le Thanh Ton Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 11:30 –  15:00; 17:00 – 23:30; TripAdvisor: Butcher Manzo.

Platinum Beer

Eastsea is one of the most popular Platinum craft beer.

Website: https://platinumbeers.com/

Where to drink Platinum Beer craft beer?

• BiaCraft – Artisan Ales, 1 Le Ngo Cat Street, Ward 7, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 11:00 – 23:30; Website: https://biacraft.com/; TripAdvisor: BiaCraft.
• Gọn & Nhẹ, 6 Ngo Thoi Nhiem Street, Ward 7, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 11:00 –  23:59; TripAdvisor: Gọn & Nhẹ.
• Great Hornbill Snackbar & Cafe, 58D Tran Quoc Thao Street, Ward 7, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 8:00 –  23:59.

Besides above-listed places to drink craft beers, I would like to recommend other great places to enjoy craft beer in the city as below:

• Rogue Saigon, 2nd floor, 13 Pasteur Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 16:00 – 2:00 (on the next day); TripAdvisor: Rogue Saigon.
• The Rooftop BBQ, 2nd floor, Mplaza Saigon, 39 Le Duan Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 16:00 – 23:00; TripAdvisor: The Rooftop BBQ.

V. What are the best beer foods in Saigon?

A small amount of Saigon people have enough money to go to expensive restaurants serving Western foods and craft beers. Most of them like to eat Vietnamese beer foods, the most favorite of them are listed as below:

Nuts

Roasted peanuts with salt, Fishskin peanuts, Roasted whole peanuts are 3 most favorite nuts to eat while drinking beer in Saigon. They are delicious, addictive, and cheap. A 200g pack of peanuts costs about 30,000 VND. You can find them on the menu or buy them from street vendors who walk around the city for selling the foods and usually stop at your table.

Dried foods

Dried squid and dried fishes are smelling and salty. These dried foods are grilled or fried, then shredded. You can also buy them at rolling carts on the streets or find them on the menu.

Jerky

Beef, pork, and chicken are boiled, shredded, then roasted with spices until dry. Most of the jerkies eaten with beers are spicy.

Pickles

Pickled mango and ambarella are sour and crunchy so that they go well with beer. They are also cheap.

Vietnamese BBQ

Everything from seafood to meat is marinated with different spices, grilled on charcoal, then served with beers. Although you can eat BBQ at your home or in any countries in the world, Vietnamese BBQ in Saigon is very special and worth trying. The recipes, dipping sauces, and eating style definitely satisfy your taste and open your mind. At BBQ eateries, dinners love to grill the foods themselves on charcoal stoves. I would like to recommend to eat at BBQ restaurants serving Vietnamese-style BBQ, not Korean, Japanese or Western BBQ. You can choose skewer or plate of marinated foods to grill.

Best Vietnamese BBQ dishes in Ho Chi Minh City:

• Goat breast

This crunchy food is strange to you but it is one of the most favorites of BBQ dishes in Saigon.

• Sliced beef, pork, pork rib

I think that these foods accommodate foreigners well.

• Seafood (octopus, squid, shrimp)

• Chicken feet

It is true that Vietnamese people do not throw any parts of a chicken. The greasy and crunchy skin and fat of the chicken feet win the hearts of many Saigon foodies. And I hope you will love the feet.

• Vegetables (okra, mushroom, bell pepper)

Okra is the most favorite vegetable to grill in Saigon.

Best Vietnamese BBQ restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City:

Upscale Vietnamese BBQ restaurants

• Barbecue Garden, 135A Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 11:00 – 23:00; Prices: 30,000 – 300,000 VND; Website: http://barbecuegarden.vn/; TripAdvisor: Barbecue Garden; Highlights: great foods, spacious and green place in garden. Click HERE to watch video about Barbecue Garden on Youtube.

• Suon Cay Nuong & Beer (Grilled Pork Rib & Beer), 217 Ly Thai To Street, Ward 9, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 11:00 – 23:00; Prices: 30,000 – 300,000 VND; Website: http://suoncay.com.vn/; Highlights: specializes in Grilled pork ribs marinated with secret spices. Youtube: Suon Cay Nuong & Beer.

• Rom BBQ & Party, rooftop of Thanh The building, 2 – 4 – 6 Luu Van Lang Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 11:00 – 23:00; Prices: 30,000 – 450,000 VND; Website: https://www.facebook.com/RomBBQ/; Highlights: great foods, rooftop.

Vietnamese BBQ cheap eats

• Panda BBQ, 1Bis Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 16:00 – 22:30; Prices: 5,000 – 290,000 VND; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/XienNuongDongGia/; Highlights: famous BBQ restaurant chain, cheap skewers.

• Nguyet Hy, 466 Nguyen Tri Phuong Street, Ward 4, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 17:00 – 22:00; Prices: 5,000 – 50,000 VND; Facebook: Nguyet Hy; Highlights: cheap skewers.

• Bay No, E34 Nhat Tao Street, Ward 7, District 11, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 17:00 – 22:30; Prices: 50,000 – 150,000 VND; Facebook: Bay No BBQ; Highlights: long-standing (40-year-old) and famous.

• 5Ku Station, 102 Cong Quynh Street, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 17:00 – 23:59; Prices: 90,000 – 150,000 VND; Website: 5Ku Station; Highlights: spacious restaurants, diverse menu.

• Bo Cuoi, 449 Nguyen Thi Thap Street, Tan Phong Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 10:00 – 22:00; Prices: 80,000 – 370,000 VND; Highlights: Grill hood.

 

Snail dishes

Snail dishes are a big part of Saigon they are perfect choices to eat while drinking beers in the city.

Best snail dishes

Snail dishes refer to not only dishes made from snails but also some clams, scallops, seafood such as shrimp, octopus, squid, ocean crab leg.

• Stir-fried mud-creeper, sweet snail

• Steamed clam with lemongrass

• Grilled scallop with green onion oil

• Stir-fried or grilled blood cockle with tamarind sauce

• Roasted sweet snail with salt and garlic

• Stir-fried nail snail with morning glory

• Roasted ocean crab leg with salt and chili

Best snail dishes in Ho Chi Minh City

To Hien Thanh Street, District 1 and Vinh Khanh Street, District 4 are 2 famous are for eating snail and seafood in Saigon. Most of the best snail restaurants are located in these areas:

• Oc Tre Mot, B10 Thanh Thai Street, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 11:00 – 23:59; Prices: 70,000 – 20,000 VND; Highlights: spacious restaurants.

• Oc Oanh, 534 Vinh Khanh Street, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 16:00 – 23:00; Prices: 60,000 – 150,000 VND; Highlights: big snails.

• Oc Dao, 212/C79 Nguyen Trai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 10:00 – 22:30; Prices: 50,000 – 100,000 VND; Highlights: long-standing and very delicious dishes.

• Oc Dao, 132 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 16:00 – 23:30; Prices: 50,000 – 100,000 VND; Highlights: long-standing and very delicious dishes.
• Oc Khanh, 25/5 Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 12:00 – 22:00; Prices: 35,000 – 100,000 VND; Highlights: owned by Mrs. Le Khanh – a famous artist in Saigon.

• Oc Chi Em, rooftop 6B Cong Truong Quoc Te Street, Ward 6, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 17:00 – 22:30; Prices: 50,000 – 150,000 VND; Highlights: rooftop.

• Oc To, C218 Xom Chieu Street, Ward 15, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 11:00 – 22:30; Prices: 50,000 VND; Highlights: reasonable prices.

• Oc Loan, 012 Block C, Nguyen Thien Thuat apartment buildings, Ward 1, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 16:00 – 22:00; Prices: 30,000 – 55,000 VND; Highlights: 60 years old, reasonable prices.

• Oc Thao, 383 Vinh Khanh Street, Ward 8, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 10:00 – 1:00 (at night); Prices: 25,000 – 80,000 VND; Highlights: reasonable prices.

Goat dishes

In many countries, they do not eat goat which is a favorite of many Vietnamese people, especially beer and wine lovers. Goat hot pot, Braised hot pot, Grilled hot pot are the most popular dishes at goat restaurants in the city.

Best goat restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City

• Lau De Bay Hong, Alley 141 Tran Quang Khai Street, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 16:00 – 22:30; Prices: 50,000 – 200,000 VND; Highlights: the oldest goat restaurant with the best dishes in Saigon, owned by an experienced cook.

• Lau De De Nhat, 135 Street 10, Trung Son Residential Area, Binh Chanh District, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 9:00 – 22:30; Prices: 80,000 – 300,000 VND; Highlights: spacious outdoor restaurant.

Seafood dishes

Although Saigon is not a coastal city, they love to eat seafood and there are lots of seafood restaurants dishes. Crab and shrimp are the most favorite seafood in the city.

Best seafood restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City

• Ut Ca Mau, 215 Dien Bien Phu Street, Ward 15, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 10:00 – 23:00; Prices: 90,000 – 200,000 VND; Highlights: specializes in crabs.

• Ran Bien 5, 193 – 195 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, Ward 7,  District 3, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 10:00 – 23:00; Prices: 100,000 – 500,000 VND; Highlights: fresh seafood and diverse menu. Website: http://haisanranbien.com/. You can find locations of this seafood restaurant chain on the website.

• Bien Duong 3, 45 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Cau Ong Lanh Ward,  District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 13:00 – 23:59; Prices: 35,000 – 20,000 VND; Highlights: fresh seafood and diverse menu. Website: http://nhahangbienduong.com/. You can find locations of this seafood restaurant chain on the website.

Check out Top 5 seafood restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City

VI. Where do they drink in Saigon?

As mentioned above, Saigon people can drink at restaurants with air-conditioners, bars, pubs, outdoor restaurants or stalls selling street foods. I have shared some of the best places to drink beer, including best goat restaurants, snail restaurants, BBQ restaurants. And I would like to share more drink places :)) as below:

Best bars and pubs in Saigon

You can enjoy various alcoholic beverages such as wine, cocktails, and beers at bars and pubs while enjoying the music there.

• Chill Skybar, 27th floor, AB Tower, 76A Le Lai Street, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 17:30 – 22:30; Prices: 500,000 – 100,000 VND; Highlights: great rooftop bar, amazing music.
• Air 360 Sky Lounge, 22nd floor, Ben Thanh Tower, 136 – 138 Le Thi Hong Gam Street, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 17:30 – 2:00 (at night); Prices: 70,000 – 500,000 VND; Highlights: nice view of the city at night.
• XKY, 136 Le Thi Hong Gam Street, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 22:00 – 3:00 (at night); Prices: 100,000 – 500,000 VND; Highlights: famous DJ.
• Qui Lounge, 22 – 23Bis Le Thanh Ton Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 17:30 – 2:00 (at night); Prices: 100,000 – 500,000 VND; Highlights: Asian foods.
• Canalis Club, 147 Bis Hai Ba Trung Street, Ward 6, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 20:00 – 3:00 (at night); Prices: 300,000 – 1,000,000 VND; Highlights: spacious club, professional services.
• Poc Poc Beer Garden, 39 Pham Ngoc Thach, Ward 6, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 7:00 – 23:00; Prices: 70,000 – 230,000 VND; Highlights: amazing music, favorite places of famous artists in Saigon.
• Barocco Bar, 264 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, Ward 8, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 18:30 – 4:00 (at night); Prices: 500,000 – 1,000,000 VND; Highlights: modern design, great music.
• Home Pub, 6th floor, 2Bis Cong Truong Quoc Te Street, Ward 6, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 12:00 – 23:00; Prices: 150,000 – 1,000,000 VND; Highlights: famous EDM Trap music, dancers and DJ, outdoor and indoor.
• Carmen Bar, 8 Ly Tu Trong Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 7:30 – 23:59; Prices: 150,000 – 200,000 VND; Highlights: latin music, Vietnamese and foreign singers, indoor and garden.
• Fuse Bar, 138 Le Lai Street, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 16:00 – 2:00 (at night); Prices: 200,000 – 1,000,000 VND; Highlights: famous DJ, exciting music.

Cheap eats to drink beer in Saigon

• Panda BBQ, Nguyet Hy, Bay No mentioned above are the best cheap eats to drink beer in the city.

Bui Vien Street

It will be a big miss if I do not mention Bui Vien Street in Saigon Backpacker Area. The street is known as a favorite place of travelers, expats, and locals for drinking and eating. On weekends, the street turns into a pedestrian zone which is crowded, noisy, and full of fun. Dozens of bar, pubs, and restaurants line on the street so that you can easily choose a spot to enjoy some beers. You can troll into bars or pubs to enjoy amazing music. Or you just sit on the pavement with lots of people around to drink while looking over the crowded streets. Besides Bui Vien Street, other bars and pubs in Saigon Backpacker Area are also great.

• Boheme, 8/2A Bui Vien Street, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 19:00 – 2:00 (at night); Prices: 50,000 – 165,000 VND; Highlights: crazy atmosphere, reasonable prices.
• Cloud 9 Rooftop Bar, 195 Bui Vien, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 10:00 – 1:00 (at night); Prices: 300,000 – 1,000,000 VND; Highlights: unique design, soft music.
• Republic Club, 19 Do Quang Dau Street, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 9:00 – 2:00 (at night); Prices: 150,000 – 300,000 VND; Highlights: stage in the center, dim light, amazing sound system, cool DJ and dancers.
• TNR, 57 Do Quang Dau Street, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Opening hours: 20:00 – 5:00 (on the next day); Prices: 60,000 – 500,000 VND; Highlights: favorite places of expats and backpackers, cool design.

VII. How to be safe drinking beers in Saigon?

• Stay away from drunk guys, arguing, and fighting.
• Drink enough and do not be drunk.
• Go with at least one partner or local.
• Do not bring too much money in your wallet and leave valuable items at your hotel because pickpockets and snatch thieves are popular at drinking places.
• Do not drive after drinking, just take a taxi or motorbike taxi to return to your hotel or your house.

VIII. Useful currency tips

• Tipping is not a must in Saigon, but a small gratuity is appreciated by the staffs who provide great services. A few dozen of thousands VND is reasonable. If you are really satisfied, you can tip them up to 500,000 VND.
• Check the menus before ordering, the prices must be clear and reasonable.
• Check the bills carefully before paying.
• Count the number of zeros on Vietnamese bank notes before handing them over. As mentioned above, the best time to drink beers is at night. You can take wrong bank notes at night.
• You will not know exactly if USD cash is acceptable at drinking places. So that I would like to recommend credit cards and VND cash. At street food stalls, outdoor restaurants, and cheap eats, they do not accept credit cards. They may accept credit cards at bars, pubs, upscale restaurants. In summary, VND cash is the best. However, do not bring too much. A few million VND is enough.

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