Top 5 Places for a Night Time Local Experience in Ho Chi Minh City

Saigon is absolutely wonderful at night. Between the energy, lights, traffic, and tons of people who are finding their way through the city after the sun goes down. Even though there are plenty of bars for you to wander in and out of, make new friends, and have drinks, the part of Saigon at night that is truly special can be found at the parks and outside the more accessible famous sightseeing destinations in Ho Chi Minh City. What is so special about these places at night?

The students of Saigon are all sitting around each other, with makeshift seating arrangements, sharing food and drinks. They don’t want to spend money to go to a coffee shop, movie, or hooka lounge. Why do that when you can sit down with your friends for free and share your stories over some wonderful street snacks for the cost of 30,000 VND.

If you are looking to experience this energy that I am speaking of, you can easily go to the park across the street from the famous sightseeing monument, Notre Dame Cathedral. There you will find what the kids have dubbed “cà phê bệt” which translates roughly to “Sit on your Butt Coffee”. You have to love that!

Here, the students will be sharing different street foods, such as Corn stir-fried with dried shrimp (Bap Xao), Grilled Rice Paper, also known as Vietnamese Pizza(Banh Trang Nuong), or Rice Paper Salad with Dried Beef (Banh Trang Nuong). Now, as the name might suggest, they do serve coffee in this area, but the young people of Vietnam might choose to split a soft drink. Sting seems to be a drink seen often at these no-frills get-togethers.

Some might say that you could experience this same energy in the Backpacker area called Bui Vien. Not for me, though. These small street no-stool meetings of hopes, dreams, and pure silliness between the Vietnamese are much more insightful into what Vietnam really is over an overcrowded area like Bui Vien. And the Bui Vien of the old days has been overtaken by loud clubs blaring music and selling balloons. Even Bui Vien has lost what charm it had back in the day pre-pandemic.

So, while you are traveling here, I dare you to take a step out of the norm and visit one of these sit-on-your-butt-and-chat affairs to experience the true energy of Saigon’s youth. No worries, as a lot of the Vietnamese youth here will speak a decent amount of English. You are in for a surprise if you haven’t participated in a showing of true Vietnamese hospitality yet. This is a great way to end an evening if you only have 12 hours in Ho Chi Minh City. They will honestly be interested in who you are, where you’re from, and your observation of their country. Wanting nothing in return except for your company, exchange English, break bread, and share a coffee together as you humbly rest your butt on the streets of Ho Chi Minh City at Night.

Cafe Bet

Located just across the street from the Notre Dame Cathedral at the park. You can find the park at the cross street of Pasteur and Han Thuyen. Just take a seat wherever you think you might be comfortable, a vendor will soon be by to take your order. “Cafe Sua Da” is always a good choice, in my opinion.

Turtle Lake

Situated in the roundabout where Pham Ngoc Thach and Tran Cao Van meet, this offers a scenic view along with lots of Vietnamese Street Food Vendors selling excellent street food. Don’t forget to ask about the vendor across the street who sells an excellent coconut ice cream with Dried cherries and banana’s.

Opera House

This is a prime example of “if you build it, they will come.” makeshift seating arrangements are made all along the Opera House around 8 PM at night by students and young people enjoying drinks and the energy of downtown Saigon. There is not much street food to enjoy here, but it is still an interesting sight.

Thu Thiem Tunnel

Just across the river in District 2, the government has turned what was once Slums into beautiful parks. These feature a great view of the city, with numerous street food carts set up selling everything the heart might desire. With a view overlooking the river, the energy of this area is really nice, and it is a great, cheap experience for anyone looking for something simple and charming.

The Eiffel Bridge

It is a little-known fact that this is the only remaining bridge in Vietnam built by the once-famous Eiffel Company. Across the road canal in District 4, young and older couples gather here to enjoy the view of the canal while holding each other tight. With benches set up along some small park-like areas, it is easy to find seating that is not on the ground.

If you are looking for something local to do you should always be safe so be sure to check out our article about safety tips in Ho Chi Minh City. This city is one of the safest in the world but its always good to be informed.