Ho Chi Minh City (also HCMC) is situated in the south of Vietnam and is the country’s biggest city. This wonderful city is a mix of beauty, charm, craziness, traditional, cheap, expensive and quirky. Basically, it has a bit of everything. Perhaps this is why HCMC is a popular place for both expats and travellers – there is something for everyone here!
One thing that HCMC is very good at is nightlife. The impressive Bui Vien, which people say is the sister of Khao San Road in Bangkok, never sleeps. But if you are looking for something more exclusive, you have plenty of beautiful restaurants and high-end bars as well. There are no shortage of venues here.
But when you are in HCMC, you must see the city from above. One of the best ways to do this is by going to a rooftop bar. Luckily, there are a lot of them, so you can just pick and choose. Take a look at this list of the best rooftop bars in Ho Chi Minh City.
1. Social Club Rooftop Bar – Hotel Des Arts Saigon
24th floor, 76 – 78 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D3
Want to be wowed and see an incredible panoramic view over HCMC while sipping on some cocktails and listening to the DJ playing? Social Club Rooftop Bar is a highly popular and modern rooftop bar where some of the best DJs in town plays. Make sure that you take a look at the infinity pool before you leave the party – it is out of this world!
2. Chill Skybar
26th and 27th Floor, AB Tower, 76A Le Lai street, Ben Thanh Ward, D1
Perhaps the most popular bar in HCMC, it is a hit amongst youngsters, business men, tourists, expats, and socialites. Not only is the view to die for up there, the drinks are terrific and the lounge is modern and hip. The music picks up later during the night, with the DJ playing everything from EDM to Hip Hop. A terrific venue which has deserved its good reputation
3. Level 23 Wine Bar
23rd Floor, Sheraton Saigon Hotel, 88 Dong Khoi street, D1
Level 23 is a more casual bar where you can enjoy a spectacular sunset over Ho Chi Minh City. The dress code is casual here and children are also welcome, so it is not really a party place. However, it is still one of the most popular rooftop bar in HCMC so make sure you come in good time so you get a good seat for watching the sunset. The name might be a bit confusing since it is not a wine bar, but they do have a wine cellar.
4. The View
9th Floor, Duc Vuong Hotel, 195 Bui Vien street, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, D1
No list over rooftop bars in HCMC is complete without including one in Bui Vien. This rooftop might be the cheapest of them all as well – you can get a beer for less than one dollar here! Perhaps this has to do something with the location – in the heart of the backpacker district. Nevertheless, The View is a place everyone can go to, no matter the budget.
5. Broma: Not a Bar
41 Nguyễn Huệ, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Although small in size, it is one of the hippest bars in HCMC. The views over the pedestrian street Nguyen Hue and the skyscrapers are really cool, especially at night, but the bar has more to offer than nice views. If you are into live music, they offer themed evenings such as “Afro Tuesday” and Open Mic Nights. The ambiance is a bit more relaxed here and there is no dress code or rules. You have everything from craft beers, wine and signature cocktails to choose from here. There is in fact, over 30 beer brews to cheese from – beer lovers unite! There is almost something happening every night, so even if you are just in town for a few days, you can most likely still join one of the themed evenings.
Are you getting excited and want to start planning your trip to HCMC to go to some of these wonderful rooftop bars? You definitely should! One thing you need for your trip to Vietnam is to apply for a Vietnam visa. The most popular option is to apply for a Visa on Arrival, which you can do online. It is quick, easy and a very affordable option. It is especially good for those who do not live close to a Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate. Depending on where you are from, you can also apply for an E-Visa. This is a single-entry visa though, so if you are planning on traveling in and out of the country, the first option is better. You can also go to your local or nearest Vietnam Embassy or Consulate and get your visa through them.
