Best places for nightlife in Vietnam: Where to party from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh

Vietnam nightlife doesn’t always get the hype, but it delivers. From craft beer in Hanoi to rooftop cocktails in Ho Chi Minh City, and late-night beach bars in Da Nang, nightlife in Vietnam is loud, laid-back, and full of surprises. Here’s where to go after dark – city or sea.

What are the best nightlife spots to visit in Vietnam?

If clubs, cocktails, and chaos are on your radar, Vietnam won't let you down. A solid Vietnam itinerary should save some energy for after dark, especially in these cities that know how to party.

• Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) – This is where Vietnam goes big. Expect rooftop bars like Chill Skybar, slick clubs like Envy, and backpacker-fueled madness on Bùi Viện Street. It’s messy, loud, and addictive.
• Hanoi – The capital keeps it cool with a booming craft beer scene (head to Pasteur Street or Turtle Lake), hidden speakeasies, and live music venues around the Old Quarter. It’s more laid-back than Saigon but still buzzing.
• Da Nang – Beach by day, bars by night. Da Nang’s nightlife is small but growing fast. Hit up Sky36 for views, then dive into the An Thuong area’s beachside pubs and cocktail spots.
• Nha Trang – This beach town draws a younger crowd, with bar crawls, cheap drinks, and a few proper clubs. The Sailing Club, right on the beach, is the place to be when the sun goes down.
• Hoi An – Known for lanterns and laid-back charm by day, but the Old Town gets lively at night. Try Tiger Tiger or Dive Bar for backpacker vibes, or sip cocktails by the river.
• Phu Quoc – Think beach bonfires, chill bars in Duong Dong, and the odd resort club. Sunset Sanato and Rory’s are good starts. Not wild, but definitely social.
• Hue – Quieter overall, but there’s a student crowd that keeps things moving. DMZ Bar is a local staple, and Brown Eyes stays open embarrassingly late.
• Mui Ne – More mellow, but great for a beer by the ocean. If you’re in town for kitesurfing, you’ll find the expat crowd drinking at Joe’s Café or Dragon Beach.

Each of these cities easily earns a place on any list of the best places to visit in Vietnam, especially if you like your nights loud and your drinks cold.

Nightlife in Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City

When the sun sets, Saigon turns the volume up. From rooftop lounges to streetside bars on plastic stools, the city delivers on every front. You’ll find backpackers partying until sunrise, locals sipping cocktails with skyline views, and live bands tucked into hidden courtyards. It’s loud, fun, and never boring.

• Bui Vien Street (Backpacker Central). Welcome to the chaos. Bui Vien is a riot of neon signs, cheap beers, and late-night noise. Grab a stool, order a “bia hoi,” and settle in for some world-class people-watching. Popular picks include The View rooftop bar and Lush Bar – just don’t expect an early night.
• Pham Ngu Lao. Next door to Bui Vien, Pham Ngu Lao is a slightly calmer strip with plenty of charm. The bars are laid-back, the music a little softer, and the beer just as cold. Ideal if you want the buzz without the blare.
• District 1: Dong Khoi & Nguyen Hue. If chaos isn’t your thing, District 1 brings the polish. Rooftop bars like Saigon Saigon Bar and the Rex Hotel Rooftop offer panoramic views with a side of glam. Dress up and take it slow.
• Thao Dien (District 2). The expat favorite. This leafy enclave mixes craft beer breweries like BiaCraft with moody cocktail dens like Rabbit Hole. It’s cool without trying too hard.
• Tan Dinh (District 3). Local, low-key, and full of surprises. Tan Dinh’s got quirky cafés that double as live music spots and hidden bars like Layla – perfect for a night that starts chill and ends late.

Hanoi after dark: beer, beats, and late-night bia hơi

For a capital city, Hanoi keeps things relatively mellow after midnight – but that’s changing. While curfews still linger, the city’s nightlife is growing bolder, with craft cocktails, lakeside bars, and a buzzing beer street scene. You won’t find wild club crawls here, but you will find smoky bars, hidden speakeasies, and enough bia hơi to keep the night flowing.

• Ta Hien Street (Beer Street): Hanoi’s answer to Bui Vien – but with more edge and less neon. Tiny bars spill onto the pavement, plastic stools fill fast, and bia hơi flows freely. Grab a cold one, dodge the scooters, and enjoy the chaos. It’s loud, messy, and strangely charming.
• Hoan Kiem District (Old Quarter): Wander a few blocks, and things mellow out. In the Old Quarter, you’ll find rooftop cafés, craft cocktail joints, and live music venues tucked down alleyways. Try Polite & Co. for vintage vibes or The Unicorn Pub for creative cocktails with a local twist.
• West Lake (Tay Ho): More laid-back and mostly expat. Tay Ho does nightlife differently – think lakeside sunset beers at Standing Bar or late-night electronic sets at Savage. Not rowdy, but reliably cool.
• Trang Tien and the French Quarter: Elegant and old-school. The French Quarter is where you dress up and drink slow. The Summit Lounge is the go-to rooftop for skyline views, but you’ll also find moody wine bars and lounges that channel serious Paris energy.

Da Nang at Night: Rooftops, beach bars, and craft brews

Da Nang doesn’t try to compete with Saigon’s chaos – it leans into its coastal cool. Set along one of the best beaches in Vietnam, the city offers a slower, breezier take on Vietnam nightlife. Think beach bars with reggae playlists, rooftop lounges with sea views, and laid-back spots where expats and locals share drinks under string lights. It’s not wild, but it’s growing – and if you know where to look, the nights here can be seriously fun.

• Bach Dang Riverside: Bach Dang is still Da Nang’s most scenic night-time strip. While some big-name bars have closed, you’ll find newer spots holding their own. Fatfish is a solid choice – more restaurant than bar, but the cocktails are good and the river views are even better.
• An Thuong Area (My An Beach): This is the expat-friendly zone near the beach – casual, international, and fun. Section 30, Gina’s Pub, and N Pub are solid for a beer and a chat. Want something stronger? Head to Bamboo 2 Bar for cocktails and late-night playlists that usually get people dancing.
• Rooftop bars: Da Nang does rooftops well – not flashy, but with great views of the coast and city lights. Sky36 is the big name, perched on the Novotel, offering skyline views with club vibes. For something more mellow, Brilliant Top Bar has open-air seating and a slower pace.

Nha Trang: Where the parties hit the shore

If you like your nightlife with sand between your toes, Nha Trang delivers. This beachside city turns up after dark with a mix of full-throttle beach clubs, microbreweries, and cocktail lounges just steps from the surf. It’s one of the rare places in Vietnam where the party really does spill onto the sand.

• Tran Phu Street: This is Nha Trang’s nightlife artery, and Sailing Club is still the crown jewel. Set right on the beach, it’s a daytime restaurant that morphs into a beachfront club by night. Expect fire shows, swing seats, and DJ sets that start laid-back and end sweaty.
• Beachfront breweries and lounges: For something slower-paced, Louisiane Brewhouse sits right on Tran Phu Beach and serves house-brewed pilsners, dark lagers, and seasonal specials. It’s one of the few places in Vietnam where you can sip a craft beer with your feet in the sand. A short walk away, La Mancha offers a more social vibe – cocktails, shisha, and low-slung couches perfect for conversations that stretch past midnight.

Hoi An: Where tradition meets buzz

Hoi An might be all charm and lanterns by day, but after dark it swaps tea lights for tequila. The nightlife isn’t wild – this is no Saigon – but it’s got personality. From riverside bars with serious cocktail menus to low-key lounges tucked behind market stalls, this little town still knows how to play after sunset.

• An Hoi Islet: Cross the Thu Bon River and you’ll land in Hoi An’s liveliest quarter. An Hoi Islet lights up at night with a row of open-fronted bars that crank up the volume after sundown. Mango Mango leads the pack – a vibrant spot with live music, top-notch cocktails, and views straight across the lantern-lit river. It’s a front-row seat to Hoi An’s nighttime glow.
• Old Town: The Old Town doesn’t get rowdy – and that’s the point. Head to Cargo Club for a mellow evening with riverside views, a killer dessert menu, and cocktails that lean classic. It’s where you wind down, not turn up.
• Hoi An market area: On the edge of the main market, Market Bar is one of the town’s best-kept secrets. Expect quirky gin and tonics (yes, the blue pea flower one is worth it), Latin-inspired snacks, and a laid-back rooftop vibe that’s refreshingly under the radar.

Phu Quoc: Sip, sun and sea at the best beach bars on the island

Phu Quoc isn’t about neon lights or packed dance floors – it’s about slow drinks, warm sand, and music that rolls in with the tide. From beanbags and bonfires to rooftop cocktails with a view, this island’s nightlife scene is relaxed, low-key, and built for barefoot evenings.

• Long Beach: This is the island’s main party zone – a long, sandy stretch dotted with bars that blur the line between chill and lively. Rory’s Beach Bar still pulls a crowd with fire pits, beer pong, and beachy playlists that go late. Over at Sunset Beach Bar, DJs ease you into the night as the sky fades orange.
• Duong Dong: Phu Quoc’s main town is more polished. Le Bar at La Veranda does colonial charm with sea views and well-mixed classics. For something more intimate, Bittersweet Cocktail Bar serves creative drinks in a space that feels more hidden speakeasy than beach shack.
• Ong Lang Beach: If you’re looking to escape the crowds but not the cocktails, Ong Lang’s your spot. Coco Bar is famous for its house-made rum (start with the coconut one), and Sunset Sanato Beach Club brings music, hammocks, and prime sunset viewing.
• Bai Truong: Head south for a more stylish vibe. INK 360 is a rooftop stunner – all glass, steel, and sea views. Down on the sand, OCSEN Beach Bar is pure island mood: beanbags, tiki lights, and the occasional fire show.
• Ham Ninh: No cocktails, no playlist – just cold beer, fresh seafood, and a table floating above the sea. Ham Ninh’s seafood restaurants offer a quieter end to the night, but the view and the grilled squid are worth it.

Hue: quiet bars, cold beer, and unexpected surprises

Hue might be heavy on history, but that doesn’t mean the nights are dull. Sure, it’s not packed with clubs – this isn’t Saigon – but you’ll still find live music, cold local beer, and the occasional riverside bar that turns unexpectedly lively. Think mellow, not messy.

• Pham Ngu Lao Street: Hue’s version of a backpacker strip – smaller than Saigon’s Bui Vien but with a similar mix of bars, travel cafés, and cheap eats. Grab a stool at Brown Eyes Bar, a long-standing favorite where the music’s loud, the shots are strong, and the motto is “We don’t close until you stop drinking.” It's casual, chaotic, and fun.
• DMZ Bar: Another mainstay in the city’s small nightlife scene, DMZ Bar has been around for years and still draws a solid mix of locals, travelers, and expats. It’s more laid-back than rowdy – pool tables, football on TV, and two-for-one cocktails during happy hour.
• Le Loi Riverside: For a slower pace, stroll along Le Loi Street by the Perfume River. There’s a string of cafés and bars with breezy patios, ideal for a cold Huda beer (Hue’s local brew) and good people-watching.

Mui Ne: Sundowners by the sea

Mui Ne isn’t about thumping clubs or rooftop glamour — it’s about sand between your toes, rum in your glass, and nights that start with a sunset and end with a shot of something questionable. The vibe’s half surf-town, half beach party, with just enough chaos to keep things interesting.

• Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street: This coastal road is Mui Ne’s nightlife mainline. Bars spill onto the sand, and things pick up once the kites go down. Dragon Beach is the top spot for dancing – expect deep house, electro, and a crowd that skews young and international. If you’re after something quieter, Joe’s Café offers acoustic sets and a couch-friendly vibe that lasts late.
• Ham Tien: Budget beds and board shorts – Ham Tien is all about the backpacker crowd. Jibe’s Beach Club is mellow by day, perfect for sundowners after kitesurfing. At night, head to Mad Monkey for happy hour games, buckets, and party playlists that stretch past midnight. It’s loud, loose, and unapologetically touristy.
• Mui Ne Fishing Village: Not every night needs neon. At the quieter end of the bay, the Fishing Village is all about plastic chairs, grilled seafood, and beers with a sea breeze. No music, no pressure – just fresh crab, cheap lager, and a sky full of stars.
• Phan Thiet: South of Mui Ne, Phan Thiet offers a more local take on nightlife. You won’t find beach bars here, but there’s no shortage of beer halls, karaoke joints, and casual Vietnamese pubs packed with locals winding down after work. If you’re keen to swap techno for tiger beer towers, this is where to go.

How to survive and thrive in Vietnam nightlife

Vietnam nightlife isn’t just neon lights and beach bars – it’s a full-contact cultural experience. From curfews in Hanoi to all-night chaos in Saigon, knowing a few basics goes a long way. These Vietnam travel tips are your cheat sheet to doing it right: eating well, staying safe, and making it through the night without losing your phone, your cool, or your cash.

• Be an early bird: In cities like Hanoi, bars often close by midnight, so start your night early — locals don’t wait until 10pm to grab a drink. But in Ho Chi Minh City? The party doesn’t stop until it stops.
• Street food overhangs: Skip overpriced bar snacks. That banh mi cart on the corner or a bowl of late-night pho is your best friend when you need a mid-party refuel.
• Respect the curfew game: While the curfew isn’t as strict as it used to be, police sometimes roll through Hanoi’s nightlife hubs to shut things down. Some bars will pull the shutters and carry on behind closed doors — just play it cool.
• Keep your valuables close: Vietnam clubs are fun but crowded, and pickpockets love a distracted tourist. A crossbody bag or zipped pockets are your go-to.
• Try local drinks: Vietnam’s beer is everywhere, but don’t skip local specialties like rượu ngô (corn wine) in the north or snake-infused whiskey for the bold. Just… don’t ask too many questions about what’s in it.