10 Rooftop bars and restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City to take your drinking to the next level

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Mar 15

Blessed with a picture-perfect 21st Century skyline, Ho Chi Minh City is one of South East Asia’s best nightlife destinations. And there’s no better place to take in Ho Chi Minh City’s views than in one of its rooftop bars. From bars blasting electronic music until the early hours to intimate speakeasies and quiet cocktail bars, picking the right watering hole can be tricky.

With new restaurants and bars popping up all the time, one category that has become increasingly popular amongst Saigon residents and tourists alike is rooftop bars and restaurants. Thankfully in Ho Chi Minh City, one is spoilt for choice with rooftop bars and restaurants to enjoy a tipple, feel the wind in your hair and take in the city's stunning skyline views.

Cocktail and Bar Culture in Vietnam

The bar industry in Ho Chi Minh City is growing at a rapid pace, with bar owners and staff constantly looking for new ways to stand out from the competition. With more than 80 bars now open in District 1 alone, it can be hard for bar-goers to know where to go when they're looking for a night of drinking.

The reasons behind the prolific growth of Ho Chi Minh City's bar industry are many and varied.

A growing trend among young people in Vietnam to socialize and drink in bars, as opposed to at home or in karaoke lounges because bar culture is seen as more sophisticated and cosmopolitan
The bar industry has become much more professional in recent years, with bar staff being better trained and more knowledgeable about cocktails and spirits
With more people wanting to experience new cocktails and spirits, bar owners in Ho Chi Minh City are constantly innovating in order to attract more customers. This includes offering unique cocktails, setting up DJ booths and dance floors, and installing outdoor seating areas. In addition, many bars are now featuring live music or open-mic nights in an effort to create a more intimate and engaging atmosphere.

Here is a list of my top 10 rooftop restaurants and bars in Ho Chi Minh City:

DISTRICT 1

Banana Mama

Bored of the same old bar scene? Banana Mama is here to spice things up! Serving up cocktails with a tropical twist, this bar offers something for everyone. Whether you're looking for someone to chat with, or want a more intimate experience, Banana Mama has your back. With live music on Friday and Saturday nights and plenty of seating outside,

Banana Mama is the perfect bar for those looking to experience something new and exciting. With live music on Friday and Saturday nights, as well as a wide variety of cocktails, this bar is sure to impress. Whether you're looking for a place to socialize or want a more intimate setting, Banana Mama has you covered.

Address: 102 ABC Cong Quynh - WMC Tower - 10th floor Ho Chi Minh City
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bananamamabar

Breeze Sky Bar

One of the most iconic bars in Ho Chi Minh City, Breeze Sky Bar is located on the 5th floor of the Hotel Majestic Saigon, an old French colonial building, which will take you back to the days of Indochina. It was, after all, a favourite watering hole of Thomas Fowler, the cynical main character in The Quiet American, Graham Greene's acclaimed novel set in 1950s Old Saigon.

Its drinks evoke romantic notions of the past, with the 'Happy Saigon', one of its signature cocktails, dating back to the 1920s. Live Flamenco and Latin music pervades the nighttime air and is the perfect accompaniment to gaze out at the passing tankers and sunset glowing over the Saigon River. Unlike many rooftop bars, Breeze Sky Bar is open from morning to evening, making it a great location for brunch and daytime alfresco dining.

After your visit, stroll along nearby Nguyen Hue Walking Street, where you'll be flung back into the midst of modern Ho Chi Minh City, wondering if it was all a dream.

Address: Hotel Majestic, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Quận 1, Đồng Khởi, 3 - 5 (Khach sa
Contact: 028 382 95514 / Facebook

Chanh Bistro and Restaurant

Located in the heart of HCMC, Chanh bistro is on the fifth floor of a charming colonial building. With low lighting and views across district 1, the space is ideal for a low-key dinner or gathering with friends.

Open from 11 am, guests can enjoy the daily boozy brunch special for only VND 299,000 featuring a range of classics like eggs benedict, french toast and smoked salmon with scrambled eggs. Best part? You can add VND 200,000 for 2 hours of all-you-can-drink! At night, there is a larger range of international offerings and evening go-ers can tuck into the likes of Crispy duck breast (259k), Seafood bouillabaisse (229k) and Australian steaks (from 459k). There are also 4-course set menus for those with bigger appetites, as well as an extensive wine and cocktail menu for you to indulge in.

Address: 215 Lý Tự Trọng, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 70000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChanhBistroLTT/?ref=page_internal

Brick and Barrel

Saigon's newest chicken, burger and pizza joint, Brick and Barrel is a casual and comfortable watering hole in the heart of District 1 with a spacious rooftop venue located above the famous Tomatito and Maison Marou on Calmette street.

Considering its popularity in its few months of opening, it’s safe to say Brick and Barrel is definitely a welcomed addition to the area and we’re all here for it. There are huge timber tables ensuring a fair distance is kept between diners and all team members wear masks and have sanitisers placed around the restaurant.

Address: 171 Calmette Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 700000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bricknbarrelvn/

Saigon Saigon Bar

Opening in 1959, Saigon Saigon Bar is located on the 10th floor of the famous Caravelle Saigon hotel and is a well-known drinking institution. While many today know Saigon Saigon Bar for its unrivalled city views and fashionable cocktails, it was also a safe lookout point for foreign correspondents in wartime Vietnam.

And, while Saigon Saigon Bar has been wholly restored, it still evokes a trace of historic flair and offers spectacular views of the city. If you find yourself peckish before your drinks, head down to Café de l’Opera, located on the ground lobby of the hotel to enjoy its afternoon tea menu as well as romantic intimate views of the Opera House and Lam Son Square.

Address: Hotel Majestic, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Quận 1, Đồng Khởi, 3 - 5 (Khach sa
Contact: 028 382 95514 / Facebook

BINH THANH

BEL Cafe - Rooftop Bar

Launched in 2022, BEL is a new rooftop bar in Saigon. And if the name ‘BEL’ rings a bell (pun intended), it’s because BEL is a dual-space that offers coffee by day and wine by night - or vice versa, if you fancy. While it appears to be a juxtaposition, it’s only natural that groovy alcoholic beverages would appear on coffee shop menus and enjoyed by both biodynamic Riesling enthusiasts as well as third-wave coffee shop connoisseurs. Besides, who best to appreciate (understand) the varietal origins of wine than those obsessed with the varied terroirs of coffee beans?

BEL’s rooftop bar is located on the 7th floor and has a modern and sleek design, lush greenery and open-air surroundings that give you a great view of the cityscape and riverfront. Coupled with a cosy but growing wine list offering wine by the glass (from 150,000 VND per glass) from a range of regions like Germany, Argentina and California. We recommend checking out BEL on Fridays for buy-one-get-one-free Frose and Aperol Spritz. You may have just found your new spot to transition from work to relaxation - without having to even leave your table.

*Only open on Fridays and Saturdays

Address: 40/8 Phạm Viết Chánh, Phường 19, Bình Thạnh Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bel.coffee.wine/

ETTU Cocktail Bar

A new kid on the block, Ettu has been making waves since its opening in 2018. With neon lights and cages and trendy seating, the bar has an edgy but inviting vibe. Outside, you’ll set foot into a deck with views over Landmark 81, where patrons can throw shapes or enjoy one of the bar’s regular acoustic nights.

With classic and signature cocktails starting at 118k and 168k respectively, Ettu offers some of the best value drinks in the industry. Highlights include the Blueberry Rum Smash and Everblooming Fizz, which is also available by the bucket - yum! And if you thought things couldn’t get any better, the bar’s Ladies Night has freeflow for only 399k per person.

Address: 32 Hẻm 602 Điện Biên Phủ, Phường 22, Bình Thạnh, Thành, HCMC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ettucocktailbar/

THAO DIEN

Cafe Des Stagiaires

Located in Thao Dien in District 2, Cafe Des Stagiaires is a 3-story bar-cum-restaurant located along the Saigon River offering a romantic scenic view of the city and its most iconic landmark - Landmark 81.

Perfect for an evening sunset tipple or an urban escape, the atmosphere is relaxed and cosy owing to its rustic-chic interiors - dimly-lit Christmas lights, wooden bench furniture as well as colourful pillows and throws. On the menu front, you can find craft beer, cocktails and wine (of course) as well as a selection of bar snacks and timeless French classics. Oui!

Address: 10 Đường số 54, Thảo Điền, Quận 2 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 711000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cafestagiaires.sgn

Lunar Lounge

Say hello to Lunar Lounge, an open-air rooftop bar where you can catch a calming vista of Saigon’s skyline while enjoying an ice-cold craft bevvie. Perhaps a response to the city’s overwhelming thirst for both quality cocktails in a relaxing outdoor space amidst the bustling city of Saigon, Lunar Lounge opened in the face of the pandemic and all I can say is “thank god!”.

Still in its soft opening, Lunar Lounge has fast become a popular watering hole for locals and expatriates alike - a feat only many can admire. A testament to not only its unrivalled views but also its fuss-free drinks menu featuring nothing but the best and the classics. For Lunar, simplicity is key.

Address: So 8/3, duong 49B, thao dien Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 7000000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LunarLoungeSaigon

DISTRICT 3

Social Club

With a fully open-air bar and infinity rooftop bar, the Social Club is located above the Hotel Des Artes and enjoys one of the best views of HCMC. With a relaxed but upbeat feel, the DJs ensure the social club caters to anyone - from the post-work drinks crowd to the late-night revellers.

The bar’s craft cocktails, inspired by French perfumes, are a hit amongst patrons. Favourite signature cocktails include Black Opium (Glenlivet 12 yr, Chambord, Martell VSOP, and cold brew coffee) and Havana Ooh Na-Na - a Cuban twist featuring rum, raspberry, peach and lime, shaken with yoghurt and egg white. With informal high chairs and sofas and a relaxed dress code, expect a more casual ambience than similar high-end bars.

Address: MGallery Saigon, Floor 24, 76-78 Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, Quận 3, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/socialclubsgn/

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Hi, I’m Jovel Chan, a Singaporean food and drink blogger and F&B consultant📍Ho Chi Minh City.

Over the past two years, I’ve had the pleasure of dining in more than 150+ restaurants across Vietnam and judging multiple competitions. Here, I share the industry through my eyes and I hope it inspires you to discover, learn and explore Vietnam’s exciting food and drink scene.