57 Best Bars in Vietnam

A sports bar with pool table, foosball table, and all kinds of football being broadcast, Drunk'n Monkey is usually a lively choice in high season and quieter in the off-season. The friendly staff add to the relaxed atmosphere, and the pizzas are pretty good, too.

A cozy 27-seat bar focusing on "bespoking" whiskey- and whisky-based cocktails (and if you don't know about the different spellings, strike up a conversation with the bar staff) in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Hundreds of specialty liquors from around the world line the bar (including over 250 types of whiskies), and a tasty menu of gourmet bar snacks complements the drinks. Ask about whiskey (and whisky) tasting flights.

The beer alone is worth the trip but it’s the employees that make this bar truly special. They are passionate not only about the beer, but about customer service as well. There are always 8 to 10 beers on tap, but the brewers have created more than 50 different varieties since they opened. The pho beer has a taste profile similar to that of a spiced Christmas ale back home, and the bar is big enough to host your whole party.

More of a restaurant than a bar but still good for evening drinks, this stylish spot specializes in Vietnamese rice wine, which is sometimes used in traditional medicines. The liquor, sold under the restaurant's own Son Tinh brand, is quite strong, so avoid drinking it on an empty stomach. Their other locations, such as the one at 25 Bat Su, are much larger and cater to groups. Bring your game face and try the insect dishes and creative rice wine cocktails.

Welcome to Indika, the "house of curiosity" that's focused on chill, in the garden or the bar. Indika regularly hosts events, so check their Facebook page for the latest schedule of live music, "wine and words" book club, and film screenings. A rotating menu that includes authentic wood-fired pizzas and lots of vegan and vegetarian options will satisfy any hunger pains from 10 am to midnight.

On a small street close to French cultural center L'Espace is Kumquat Tree, one of Hanoi's first speakeasy bars. You'll need a not-so-secret code (the security guard will tell you what it is) to get into this ambient space offering on-point cocktails and regular DJ nights.

A laid-back place to chill, drink craft beer, and soak in the beach views during the day, the Louisiane Brewhouse perks up at night, with live music and beach views.

Lush's longevity in the ever-changing nightclub scene of Ho Chi Minh City is a tribute to its eternal grooviness and cool beats, a combination that attracts a clientele of young Vietnamese, tourists, and expats. The indoor and outdoor sections can get crowded on Tuesday (Ladies Night), Friday, and Saturday.

This restaurant-lounge-bar makes an array of refreshing cocktails with—you guessed it—mangoes. This place is often chock-a-block with expats and tourists, and happy hour starts at 8 am and ends at 7 pm. A full menu with starters, salads, mains and desserts is served, complemented by an innovative cocktail selection. Bypass the front busy dining room for a low table in the back beside the river. It's best at sunset.

A smart-casual bar run by an Australian couple, Matilda's Pub is one of Vung Tau's most popular watering holes for travelers and expats, with five TV screens showing sports. The pub offers a range of Western and Vietnamese comfort food at very reasonable prices, and does a great breakfast too.

A funky coffee shop during the day, Mya Bar gets crowded in the evenings with locals and travelers alike. There are high wooden tables, a large fully stocked bar, and friendly staff waiting on your every need. The walls are covered in one-of-a-kind graffiti and art projects. Try the zombie cocktail and enjoy the vibe. It's open from 4 pm until 2 am.

An Irish pub with pool tables, exposed brick walls, friendly staff, daily happy hour, and pretty fine food, O'Brien's Factory is a great place to relax, meet new friends, watch sports, and enjoy live music on Friday nights.

Nobody could ever call Cat Ba Town's nightlife sophisticated, but it can be fun. Nowhere is this more evident than at the Oasis Bar, where owner Miss Blue and her staff preside over a mixed crowd of travelers. Drinks are very reasonably priced and the food does an acceptable job of soaking them up. There's a pool table, and karaoke is available for those who fancy strutting their vocal stuff.

The first brewery to open in Vietnam, PSBC has had immense success throughout the country. Serving several styles of craft beer and comfort food, this beautifully designed building is located right next to the cathedral. Get a growler of original craft beer and the Nashville hot chicken after you find a seat on the outdoor terrace.

Hanoi is not a nightlife hub, but if you are looking for unreconstructed late-night fun then this is the place to go. Inside things are smoky, hot, and sweaty, but there's fresh air on the outside terrace and a river close by. Expect young backpackers on pub crawls.

A polished and vintage speakeasy, Polite & Co attracts a regular crowd of cocktail enthusiasts to its bar stools. This gentleman's pub is known for its stylish atmosphere and bartenders, so dress up and step out.

Saigon Outcast has a little something for everyone. It's an open-air café-bar, with a skateboarding section (free) and a rock-climbing wall (fee). Check the website to see what's coming up in the way of live music, movie nights, local theater, markets, charitable events, craft classes, and open mike sessions. The bar stocks local and craft beers, and the kitchen turns out some tasty international fare.

Taking cocktails to new levels, the 36th floor of the Novotel Danang Premier Han River, to be precise, Sky36 is a glitzy, glam, neon hangout with fantastic views of the whole city. Floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides give way to sparkly city views. The high-energy (and extremely loud) nightclub is a great place to see and be seen. It may be pricey, but the cocktails and dancing are worth it.

Not to be confused with the Thang Long Water Puppet Theater, this venue offers a musical performance focused on traditional Ca Tru ceremonial singing. The hour-long shows take place three times per week at 8 pm on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. During the 20-minute intermission, guests are invited to try out the instruments and enjoy complimentary tea and cakes. By day you can tour Memorial House.

Sister bar to Standing Bar, The Bottle Shop serves a dizzying array of bottled craft beers from Vietnam and beyond. There are a couple of pub benches at the front and a cozy beer yard out back that's popular with expats, especially on warm weekend afternoons.

This is a cool little café that features good live acoustic music every evening from 7:30–9 pm and a range of Western and Vietnamese comfort foods. If you're lucky, the owner will join a jam session.

One of the few nightlife spots in the heart of Old Town, this corner wine bar has cocktails, beer, spirits, and quality wines by the glass. The cheese platter and various tapas pair well with a chilled Sauvignon Blanc on a hot day. Grab a table on the top floor for views of the Thu Bon River.

This posh lounge bar gets lively in the evening thanks to a generous happy hour 5:30–8:30 pm Monday to Saturday, with half-price cocktails. A classic martini, an oyster shot or something uniquely Vietnamese—the choice is yours. The bar menu is more extensive and surprisingly value-priced than elsewhere, focusing on modern cuisine. Smart-casual wear is expected.