Our Favourite Bars in Saigon, Saigon/HoChiMinh City, Vietnam

Once again, back on the subject of alcoholic beverages. I’m afraid it’s an occupational hazard here in Saigon. The weather is hot; the drinks are cheap (Vietnam is officially one of the most affordable places to drink beer in the world right now), and, in our humble opinion, much of the charm and chaos of Ho Chi Minh City is best observed with a cold refreshing beverage in hand. Most of our favourites have a view to the world outside or provide a fascinating place for observation. Each has its unique character that keeps us going back time and time again. Here’s a short list of OUR five favourite bars in Saigon and why they make our list.

OK, this place isn’t actually called Red Chairs. In fact, nowadays, it doesn’t even have ‘red chairs’. But it did have when we first started to go there in 2011, and that’s what we named it. The chairs were so tiny my big fat bottom, quite often got stuck as I tried to depart. It definitely wasn’t comfort we were going for; it was the street life that ploughed its way past us and the characters that called this small stretch of road “home.” Do Quan Dau is a small street that joins Bui Vien and Pham Ngu Lao, right in the middle of backpacker/red light central. There’re quite a few hostess bars within immediate view, and the hustle never seems to stop. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).