7 Bars in Saigon Recommended for International Travellers

Saigon’s nightlife extends far beyond Bui Vien Street or rooftop bars overlooking the city centre. International travellers can start the evening with a cocktail while watching the sunset, discover speakeasy bars that bring Vietnamese ingredients into modern mixology, enjoy whisky in a quieter setting, or continue the night with house and techno music after midnight.

In this guide, Novotel Saigon Centre highlights bars with different styles and atmospheres, suitable for a wide range of guests, from first-time visitors to Saigon and couples to business travellers and those looking to explore the city’s evolving cocktail culture.

Which areas should international travellers choose for bars in Saigon?

For visitors staying in Saigon for only two or three nights, the city centre is a convenient place to begin exploring. Streets such as Hai Ba Trung, Nguyen Du, Le Thanh Ton, Mac Thi Buoi and Ton Duc Thang are home to many cocktail bars, rooftop venues and restaurants, while also being close to popular attractions including Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon, Saigon Central Post Office, Nguyen Hue Walking Street and other well-known landmarks.

Travellers with more time can consider exploring Thao Dien for a different side of Saigon’s nightlife. The area is known for contemporary restaurants, cocktail bars and creative spaces, making it suitable for those who want to experience the city beyond the more familiar entertainment areas in the centre.

Quick comparison of bars suitable for international travellers

Bar	Location	Approximate price	Style	Signature drinks	Best for
OnTop Bar	20th floor, Novotel Saigon Centre, 167 Hai Ba Trung	From around VND 180,000++/cocktail for selected promotions	Relaxed rooftop bar with panoramic city views	Cocktails, wine, tapas, cheese and cold cuts	Sunset views, couples, business travellers, first-time visitors to Saigon
STIR – Modern Classic Cocktail	Level 1, 136 Le Thanh Ton alley, Ben Thanh area	Around VND 250,000–350,000/cocktail	Vintage-inspired speakeasy with Vietnamese influences	Xoi Mit, cocktails featuring Vietnamese ingredients and regional stories	Cocktail enthusiasts and travellers looking for local flavours
Firkin Bar	20 Mac Thi Buoi, city centre	Around VND 160,000–400,000/cocktail	Intimate whisky bar focused on classic cocktails and personalised drinks	Over 250 whisky selections, Old Fashioned, Manhattan and Martini	Whisky lovers, business travellers and quiet conversations
Hybrid Saigon	57 Nguyen Du, city centre	Around VND 160,000–380,000/cocktail	Modern experimental mixology	Maestro Mushroom, Piña Colada Old Fashioned and cocktails using modern techniques	Guests looking for creative flavours and innovative cocktails
The Enigma Mansion	5H Ton Duc Thang, city centre	Around VND 200,000–800,000/person, depending on drinks ordered	Contemporary cocktails in a mansion-style setting	Signature cocktails featuring Vietnamese ingredients such as Phu Quoc pepper and local fruits	Travellers looking for a dedicated cocktail evening
The Observatory	85 Cach Mang Thang 8	Varies by event, with possible entrance fees	Electronic music venue with rooftop space and late-night club atmosphere	Cocktails, wine, house, disco, techno and DJ performances	Electronic music fans and those looking for late-night entertainment
Lost Birds	24A Xuan Thuy, Thao Dien	Around VND 200,000–300,000/person	Neighbourhood-style cocktail and whisky bar with a more private atmosphere	Whisky and cocktails featuring tropical fruits, herbs and various mixology techniques	Whisky lovers, returning visitors and travellers exploring Thao Dien

Prices are for reference only and may change depending on the menu or promotions available at different times.

7 bars worth considering for an evening in Saigon

1. OnTop Bar – Start the evening with Saigon views

• Address: 20th floor, Novotel Saigon Centre, 167 Hai Ba Trung, Xuan Hoa Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
• Opening hours: Approximately 4:30 PM–11:30 PM
• Style: Relaxed rooftop bar with an outdoor area and city views
• Best for: Couples, business travellers and first-time visitors to Saigon

OnTop Bar is a suitable choice for guests who prefer a relaxed start to the evening before moving on to a club or speakeasy. Located on the 20th floor, the bar offers a wide view of the city, while the outdoor area provides a comfortable setting to watch Saigon transition from sunset into the night.

The atmosphere at OnTop Bar is casual and comfortable, making it suitable for meeting friends, enjoying a date or having conversations with business partners. Guests can enjoy cocktails and light bites while taking in the city skyline before continuing to explore other bars or nightlife spots nearby.

For international travellers visiting Saigon for the first time, OnTop Bar offers an accessible introduction to the city’s evening scene before discovering more vibrant nightlife experiences.

2. STIR – Discover Vietnam through cocktails

• Address: Level 1, 136 Le Thanh Ton alley, Ben Thanh area
• Opening hours: 4:30 PM–1:30 AM daily (reference hours)
• Style: Vintage-inspired speakeasy with cocktails inspired by Vietnamese flavours
• Best for: Cocktail enthusiasts and travellers looking to explore local flavours

STIR is a notable choice for guests who want more than just a cocktail and are interested in how contemporary bartenders interpret Vietnamese ingredients and culinary culture. The bar was named Bar of the Year at Tatler Best Vietnam 2026 and included in the Tatler Best 20 Vietnam list.

The menu explores ingredients and stories from different regions of Vietnam. One example is the Xoi Mit cocktail, combining jackfruit, jasmine, sticky rice and smoky Scotch whisky. Other creations incorporate fruits, tea, spices and familiar ingredients from Vietnamese cuisine.

For international travellers, STIR offers a different way to experience local culture compared with a traditional food tour, presenting familiar Vietnamese flavours through modern cocktail creations.

3. Firkin Bar – A Whisky-Focused Bar for Slow Conversations

• Address: 20 Mac Thi Buoi Street, Ho Chi Minh City centre
• Opening hours: 6:00 PM–12:00 AM daily
• Style: A cosy whisky bar focused on classic cocktails and personalised drinks
• Best for: Whisky lovers, couples and guests looking for a quieter place to talk

Firkin stands out with whisky at the centre of its experience. The bar has been recognised by Tatler Asia for its collection of more than 250 whisky selections from different countries, alongside classic cocktails and drinks adjusted to suit individual preferences. Firkin was also included in the Tatler Best 20 Vietnam 2026 list.

Compared with STIR or Hybrid, Firkin’s cocktails follow a more classic approach. This makes it suitable for international business travellers, whisky enthusiasts or anyone looking for a quieter venue for conversations.

While OnTop Bar is ideal for enjoying city views and STIR offers a way to explore Vietnamese flavours through cocktails, Firkin is better suited for a slower evening focused on drinks and conversation.

4. Hybrid Saigon – Reimagining Familiar Cocktails with New Ideas

• Address: 57 Nguyen Du Street, Ho Chi Minh City centre
• Opening hours: 5:00 PM–1:00 AM daily
• Style: Modern experimental cocktails
• Best for: Guests interested in exploring new flavour combinations

Hybrid Saigon focuses more on experimentation than recreating traditional cocktail recipes. The menu features creations such as Maestro Mushroom, Mezcal Ant CO2 and Piña Colada Old Fashioned, combining unexpected ingredients with modern mixology techniques.

The space also includes Vietnamese-inspired details, including a bar counter made from repurposed fishing boats. Hybrid has continued to appear in Tatler Best 20 Vietnam 2026, reflecting its place in Ho Chi Minh City’s contemporary cocktail scene.

This may not be the first choice for guests looking for a simple gin and tonic. Hybrid is better suited for those who see discovering new flavour combinations as part of the evening experience.

5. The Enigma Mansion – Contemporary Cocktails with Vietnamese Influences

• Address: 5H Ton Duc Thang Street, Ho Chi Minh City centre
• Opening hours (reference): 4:00 PM–1:30 AM daily
• Style: Contemporary cocktails in a mansion-style setting
• Best for: Guests who want to dedicate an evening to exploring cocktails

The Enigma Mansion has gained attention as one of the notable bars in Asia’s cocktail scene. In the extended list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2026, the bar ranked 55th, improving from its 93rd position in 2025.

The mansion setting creates a distinctive atmosphere, but the more notable element is how the bar incorporates Vietnamese ingredients into its drinks. Previous creations have featured ingredients such as Phu Quoc pepper, dragon fruit, Tay Ninh shrimp salt and other local flavours.

For international travellers, this is a suitable choice for those who want to spend more time exploring cocktails rather than simply stopping by for a quick drink before dinner.

6. The Observatory – Continue the Night Beyond Cocktails

• Address: 85 Cach Mang Thang 8 Street, Ho Chi Minh City
• Schedule: Changes depending on events; checking the event calendar before visiting is recommended
• Style: Electronic music venue with rooftop space and club atmosphere
• Best for: Guests who enjoy house, disco, techno and late-night entertainment

The Observatory offers a very different experience compared with the other venues on this list. It is not designed for guests who prefer sitting at the bar and focusing on the details of a cocktail. Instead, the main attraction is electronic music, featuring both local and international artists.

Event schedules vary by night, covering genres such as house, disco, techno, bass and breaks. Some events may continue until the early morning.

Guests should check the DJ lineup and event details before visiting. The Observatory works best as the final stop of an evening, after dinner or after visiting a cocktail bar.

7. Lost Birds – A Different Evening Experience in Thao Dien

• Address: 24A Xuan Thuy Street, Thao Dien
• Opening hours: Approximately 6:00 PM–2:00 AM; Fridays and Saturdays may extend until around 3:00 AM
• Style: Cocktail and whisky bar with a more private atmosphere
• Best for: Whisky lovers, returning visitors to Saigon and travellers exploring Thao Dien

Lost Birds is not the first choice for visitors spending only one night in Saigon. Its location in Thao Dien is better suited for travellers staying several days who want to explore an area beyond the usual central nightlife routes.

The bar focuses on cocktails, whisky and conversation, creating a neighbourhood-style atmosphere rather than a venue designed for large tourist crowds.

Lost Birds works well as part of an evening in Thao Dien, combined with dinner in the area, rather than as a standalone trip from the city centre.

Suggested Bar-Hopping Route for First-Time Visitors to Saigon

Around 5:30 PM–7:00 PM, start at OnTop Bar. This timing is ideal for watching the city transition from daytime into evening while enjoying drinks and light bites before dinner.

After dinner, around 9:00 PM–11:00 PM, choose one destination between STIR, Hybrid or The Enigma Mansion rather than trying to visit all three. STIR is suitable for Vietnamese-inspired cocktails; Hybrid is for experimental creations; while The Enigma Mansion works best when cocktails are the main focus of the evening.

If the night continues after 11:00 PM, The Observatory can be the final stop. Checking the event schedule and DJ lineup in advance is recommended.

What International Travellers Should Know Before Visiting Bars in Saigon

Opening hours and event schedules may change, especially for clubs or venues hosting guest bartenders and special events. Checking Google Maps and each venue’s official social media channels on the day of the visit is recommended.

Smaller cocktail bars such as STIR, Firkin and Hybrid have limited seating, so making a reservation on weekend evenings can help avoid changing plans. For rooftop bars, arriving before or around sunset is recommended if enjoying the city view is a priority.

Electronic music venues usually become more active later at night. After drinking, taxis or ride-hailing services are more convenient options than driving between different areas.

Saigon’s nightlife is also not limited to Bui Vien Street. Cocktail bars in the city centre and venues in Thao Dien offer different experiences, from relaxed drinks and detailed mixology to late-night electronic music.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bars and Nightlife in Saigon

Which area is best for first-time visitors to Saigon?

The central area around Hai Ba Trung, Le Thanh Ton, Nguyen Du, Dong Khoi and Nguyen Hue is more convenient for travellers with limited time. Many venues on this list are relatively close to each other and can be combined with dinner or sightseeing around the city centre.

What time should visitors arrive at rooftop bars?

For guests who want to enjoy sunset and city views, arriving before sunset allows enough time to choose a seat and watch the changing skyline. OnTop Bar opens from around 4:30 PM, making it suitable for an early evening start.

Are there cocktail bars in Saigon with Vietnamese influences?

Yes. STIR creates cocktails inspired by Vietnamese ingredients and culinary traditions from different regions. The Enigma Mansion also incorporates ingredients such as Phu Quoc pepper, dragon fruit and Tay Ninh shrimp salt into selected cocktail creations.

Which bars are suitable for business travellers?

Rooftop bars and whisky bars with moderate sound levels are generally more suitable for conversations. OnTop Bar works well for casual meetings with city views, while Firkin offers a smaller and quieter setting for conversations over whisky or cocktails.

Do visitors need to make a reservation?

Not every venue requires reservations, but booking ahead is recommended for smaller cocktail bars during weekends. For The Observatory, checking the event schedule is more important because the experience depends heavily on the programme and DJ lineup on each night.

Conclusion

An evening in Saigon can offer very different experiences depending on the venue chosen. Rooftop bars provide a way to begin the night with city views; STIR, Hybrid and The Enigma Mansion represent a cocktail culture increasingly connected with local ingredients, techniques and stories; while The Observatory offers a late-night electronic music experience.

For international travellers visiting the city for the first time, OnTop Bar at Novotel Saigon Centre is a convenient starting point thanks to its central location, 20th-floor setting and wide views over Saigon. From there, visitors can choose between Vietnamese-inspired cocktails, a quieter whisky bar or a late-night music venue to discover different sides of the city’s nightlife.