Top Of The Town

Arriving here, you will be surprised at the classic and elegant design of Top Of The Town, giving the vibe of a fairytale garden or the ancient Greek mythological palace. Having a spectacular 360-degree view of Saigon, Top Of The Town is the perfect destination for celebrations, romantic dinners or private parties with its international wine list and à la carte menu. Yet, the food menu is limited in comparison with the drinks one, and water is free here. Come and join the vibrancy in the terrace bar with locals, expats, and tourists.

Website: https://www.facebook.com/TopoftheTownBarandRestaurant (Vietnamese)
Address: #18 An Duong Vuong Street, Ward 9, District 5, HCMC / 25th floor of Windsor Plaza Hotel
Opening hours: 7:00 am to 11:00 pm (Everyday)
Tel: (+84) 28 3833 6688
Price range: 100,000 – 660,000VND

Café EON

Located on the 50-52th floor, Café EON is now the highest cafés in Saigon for a stunning view, especially suitable for night get-togethers when the city is overwhelmed with colorful lights. This venue features two concepts, one of those fond of overlooking the cityscape ‘from above the cloud’ while enjoying tasty drinks and the other concentrates on Asian foods. However, since it is ‘on the cloud’, the cheapest price for a drink here is 120,000 VND, which is still better than buying a ticket to Bitexco to see the city. (For more information, the 49th floor of Bitexco Tower is Saigon Skydeck where you can also get a 360-degree panorama of the city through a telescope with an entrance fee of 200,000 VND.)

 

Website: http://eon51.com/cafe-eon/ (English, Vietnamese)
https://www.facebook.com/EON50Cafe/?hc_ref=NEWSFEED (Vietnamese)
Address: #2 Hai Trieu Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, HCMC / 50-52th floor of Bitexco Tower
Opening hours: 8:00 am to 11:30 pm (Everyday)
Tel: (+84) 28 6291 8750
Price range: 120,000 – 260,000VND

Moonlight Café

Located on the top floor of Parkson CT Plaza building near Tan Son Nhat Airport, this is the cafe known for the ideal airplane view of Saigon. Therefore, ‘airplane café’ has become the brand of this cafe terrace. Sitting in the café and that is a stunning view you might see! Just lean back to the wooden chair, relish a coconut juice, watch an airplane preparing to take off on a glittering night, and so on. You can also observe the airport on the way up by using the outside glass elevator (this elevator is only available for floor 10 ‘CGV Cinema’ and floor 11 ‘Moonlight Café’). All these things will make your night unforgettable. There are also a ball house for kids and some live piano performances after 8 pm.

Address: #60A Truong Son Street, Ward 2, Tan Binh District, HCMC /11th floor of Parkson CT Plaza
Opening hours: 10:00 am to 10:00 pm (Everyday)
Tel: (+84) 28 3547 2555
Price range: 35,000 – 65,000VND

Lac Dinh House

The cool, shady Turtle Lake area is always an ideal place for those who like to savor snacks while observing Saigon’s busy traffic. But have you ever thought of watching the scene from above to see the whole picture of this modern yet classic area? If the answer is yes, then don’t hesitate to go to Lac Dinh House. Frankly speaking, Lac Dinh is not so much a café as a tea shop. At Lac Dinh, you don’t need to be a connoisseur of tea, just say what you like and the mistress will make a teapot that meets your requirements. Tea will be served as a set along with a small teapot and a boiling oven to keep it hot. Cakes and dishes are made to her own recipe, so the taste is very distinctive such as cheesy chicken and rice, tiramisu, avocado double cheesecake, black forest cake, carmen cake, cherry scones, apple pie and even traditional dishes, namely water fern cake, bánh xèo (Vietnamese pancake). You can access the website to know more about the day’s menu as it varies every day. Rarely does anyone complain about cakes and tea; but if they do, it is probably about having to climb the stairs to the 4th floor and there are so few tables that it is frequently crowded. Therefore, reservation is a must. Also, the store closes as soon as the dishes are out of stock and the parking lot on the ground level is for Phuc Long café only so you should call the number below in advance.

Website: https://www.facebook.com/lacdinhtram/ (Vietnamese)
Address: #6 Cong Truong Quoc Te Street, Ward 6, District 3, HCMC / 4th floor
Opening hours: 10:00 am to 10:00 pm (Everyday)
Tel: (+84) 901 872 105
Price range: 45,000 – 200,00VND

Chill Skybar

What is more awesome than having delicious cocktails while watching the sunset from the top? And if you have a plan for night parties, this is the perfect place. Located on the 26 & 27th floor, many music stars come here to sing frequently and famous local and international DJs are ready to ramp the energy up every weekend. Fancy as it seems, if you don’t reserve in advance, you might even have difficulty getting a space to stand, much less sit, especially at weekends. Chill also have a restaurant on the 27th floor called 27 Grill, separate from the Chill Skybar that is outdoor on the terrace, specializing in steaks. So you can enjoy the view of Saigon with the outstanding Bitexco building before fill your stomach up as the food preparing time is quite long. Most importantly, men coming here have to wear trousers and shoes, wear shorts and slippers and the securities won’t let you in. As for women, high heels are not recommended since you have to stand most of the time, unless you arrive here before 10 when there are fewer customers.

Website: http://chillsaigon.com/ (English)
https://www.facebook.com/like.chill.saigon/?hc_ref=NEWSFEED  (English, Vietnamese)
Address: #76A Le Lai Street, District 1, HCMC / 26-27th floor of AB Tower
Opening hours: 5:30 pm to 2:00 am (Everyday)
Tel: (+84) 938 822 838
Price range: 200,000 – 550,000 VND

Mary Jane’s The Bar

Located on the rooftop of a building in District 1, Mary Jane’s The Bar is an ideal place for young people who love romantic outdoor space and photography. From here, you can enjoy a cool atmosphere on high and observe Saigon from when the sun sets until it glitters in the lights at night. The bar is divided into different areas with different seating styles and you will not have a hard time getting the chance to relax and enjoy the fresh air. There are also long benches and tables for groups with lots of greenery, flowers and graffiti drawings. Sadly, there are some minus points. The drinks are quite bland according to some customers and options are limited. This place is also difficult to find as there is no signboard at the front. So for the entrance, search for the entry of the bank, take the elevator to the 10th floor and take the last stairs up or you can ask the security.

Website: https://www.facebook.com/maryjanethebar/  (Vietnamese)
Address: #85 Nguyen Huu Cau Street, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1, HCMC /11th floor
Opening hours: 7:00 am to 10:00 pm (Everyday)
Tel: (+84) 903 104 319
Price range: 30,000 – 200,000VND

Pandora Sky Lounge

If you are looking for a suitable space to watch Saigon at night, Pandora Rooftop Lounge is one of the best options. Being one of the first two rooftop bars in HCMC, located in the prime location of the city, Pandora is divided into two areas: hip-hop music indoors and deep/tropical house music outdoors. Prices here are quite high (a mixed-fruits dish at 490,000VND, shisha at 399,000VND, a cocktail at 98,000VND, cheapest outdoor drinks for a group at 990,000VND and food at 120,000VND or more). But if you come during 6-9pm every day, which is called ‘Happy Hours’, you are offered 50% discount on drinks & shisha and 20% discount on the total bill for food. Yet, ironically, the chefs don’t start cooking until 7:30 pm according to some reviews. And 6-7pm is the suitable time period for couples with romantic dates because it is not very crowded at that time.

Website: https://www.facebook.com/PandoraSkyLounge (Vietnamese)
Address: #36 Bui Thi Xuan Street, District 1, HCMC / 14th floor of HDTC Building
Opening hours: 6:00 pm to 3:00 am (Everyday)
Tel: (+84) 28 3926 0455 – (+84) 938 222 324
Price range: 200,000 – 490,000VND

Cloud 9 Lounge (The Fusion)

Situated right next to the Turtle Lake, Cloud 9 Lounge is a perfect hang-out for tourists. The café is divided into 2 different areas. The 6th floor has a modern interior design in harmony with warm lighting, and the rooftop lounge is designed and furnished in a spacious, airy alfresco style. The roof terrace is fantastic, not the highest but what you find will surprise you. It is like you are transported out of the city and into a tropical setting, among lovely greenery with well-placed bamboo and plants. There are also private corners so you can chat with your friends in a more intimate atmosphere. Cloud 9 offers diners a wide selection of international wines along with beers, creative cocktails, and traditional Asian cuisine. Moreover, every Friday and Saturday, DJs come here to rock the place and bring absolute entertainment to everyone with music varies from half-decent dance music to average cheesy pop. But the main selling point still is the view of the bright spots of the city as the sun sets.

Address: #2bis Cong Truong Quoc Te Street, Ward 6, District 3, HCMC / 6-7th floor of Hai Nam Building
Opening hours: 5:00 pm to 00:00 am (Everyday)
Tel: (+84) 909 445 544 – (+84) 983 160 521
Price range: 200,000 – 400,000VND

Shri Restaurant & Lounge

Located on the 23rd floor of Centec Tower, this modern, comfortable and stylish restaurant - café is the perfect place to meet up and enjoy Asian cuisine with panoramic views of the city. The word ‘Shri’ in Sanskrit means ‘light’, as this location uses transparent glass to receive multiple sources of light. In the evening, the place is sparkling with the light from the city, creating a romantic atmosphere suitable for couples and intimate dates with friends and family. Customers say that there are about 6-7 tables in the restaurant yet it is not often crowded. And for over six years, Shri has been famed for its delicious Asian and Spanish grill dishes, especially the savory and tangy goose liver paste dish, with the largest selection of international wines and cocktails.

Website: http://shri.vn/ (English)

https://www.facebook.com/shri.restaurant/ (Vietnamese)
Address: #72-74 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, District 3, HCMC /23rd floor of Centec Tower
Opening hours: 10:00 am to 00:00 am (Everyday)
Tel: (+84) 28 3827 9631
Price range: 300,000 – 660,000VND

Café De La Poste

With a beautiful location in the heart of the city, next to HCMC Post Office and opposite Notre Dame Cathedral, Café De La Poste is a great place to enjoy coffee and have a date with Saigon. Being one of the rarest venues with a panoramic view of the most beautiful area of Saigon, its French architecture reminisces the beauty of the Pearl of the Far East, gracefully contrasts with the glittering modern buildings. Starting off the morning at Café De La Poste with a cup of Noisette coffee while watching the vibrant and liberal lifestyle of Saigoneses is absolutely refreshing. Café De La Poste is also a favorite destination of travelers not only for the view of Saigon architecture but also for the European, American and Vietnamese cuisines and the bar with an attractive wine rack. And don’t forget to try Vietnamese beef and vegetable stew (bò kho) and shredded pork skin bánh mì – two most positively rated dishes here. Sadly, a few customers were displeased at the slow service when having to wait for 10-15 minutes for food and some unattentive waiters. Yet, why not come here to admire the view and see if those complaints are true?

Website: https://www.facebook.com/cafedelapostevietnam/ (Vietnamese)

Address: #2 Cong Xa Paris Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, HCMC
Opening hours: 7:00 am to 11:00 pm (Everyday)
Tel: (+84) 28 3823 1634
Price range: 49,000 – 149,000VND

1. Nguyen Hue Apartment Block - 42 Nguyen Hue Street

Built in the 20th century, this block used to house government and military personnel, including US advisors ad naval officers before and after 1975.

Visitors often wander floor to floor up the twisting stairs looking for something that suits their taste. As there are options galore, make sure you have a look through all the cafés

Before stepping into the block, don’t forget to take a photo of it from the other side of the Walking Street. The combination of lighting from all the cafes at night surely will take your breath away.

The ground floor is occupied by the Fahasa bookstore, the left side of which lies the small entrance to the Café apartment. It is a bit hard to find due to the electrical cables and signs.

Once inside, the building is like a maze. Keep to the stairs, or just take the elevator. The first café you bump into is the Saigon Vieux  (2nd floor), where suits anyone looking for a romantic landscape. The swing reminds customers of childhood memories, while balcony looking over the Walking street is a perfect place for a short chat. Right next door is a fusion of fashion boutique and café, the Balcony Cafeteria.

Upstairs is a perfect place for a dessert. Apart from traditional coffee, Mango Tree also offers a good choice of ice cream and bingsu - a Korean dish consisting of ice shavings, sweetened condensed milk, fruits, Korean rice cake, cereal flakes and ice cream. A few meters away is The Maker, which stands among the most popular coffee shops in the area. This is more of a café-workshop, for it gives visitors an arty vibe.

On the fourth floor is Partea. Heavily influenced by English style, this tearoom allows customers to choose from an encyclopedic section and even drink in an English teapot.

There are far more to explore upstairs. Perfect examples are Metsign Café –a utopia for European style fanatics and Boo Café, a milk-tea shop with playful interior and The Letter Café – specially designed for Japanese culture’s enthusiasts.

Cafe Apartment Block in Saigon

However, the coffee apartment is not just about coffee. There are numerous fashion boutiques (e.g Baddest Blue -3rd floor, Maison De Jenny- 4th floor, etc.), some furniture shops and a jewelry store, perfect for window shopping. You should spare at least one evening to explore the apartment with all these activities!

2. Pasteur Apartment Block–158 Pasteur Street

Located on Pasteur Street, another tourist quarter filled with fast food restaurants in District 1, this block seems pretty old and insignificant on the outside. However, the interior is far more lively. The spiral staircase provides a perfect background for a shot.  

The most well-known cafés here are She Café and Secret Garden.

She Café  is highly recommended for single ladies for its quiet, tender atmosphere. In particular, the place is furnished with small-sized sets of tables and chairs, each with a flower vase. What’s more, portraits of beautiful women such as Angelina Jolie, Julia Roberts, Marily Monroe and Princess Diana all the more honor women’s virtues. Despite being not so spacious, this design can create a feeling of comfort. Certainly, this indoor coffee shop remains at the top of the must-try list for energetic young ladies making the most of their youths.

Secret Garden, in contrast, provides families and close friends with a chance to gather. This café-restaurant also serves Vietnamese specialties and seafood in large portions for a group of at least 4 people to enjoy. After a long chat with homies, customers can comfort themselves watching the starry sky and Saigon’s nightlife while the gentle winds give them a good massage.

3. Ton That Dam Building - 14 Ton That Dam, District 1

Known as the most time-honored apartment block in Ho Chi Minh city, it was built in 1866 by the French, thus having some French influence in style. After the Vietnam War, it was given to government officials, whose families still live there now.

The old age and historic values turned it into a tourist destination. Consequently, some flat owners saw this as an opportunity to open up cafes and fashion shops with vintage style. Others soon caught up and turned what was simply a block into a frequently crowded area.

Located on the 1st floor, Banksy Studio is a perfect mixture of West and East. The traditional teapots are tastefully placed among the colorful furniture. Since the manager and his staff are knowledgeable about tea, they can give instructions on brewing your own drinks, which cannot be a more rewarding experience. Though it is arguably the best place to explore cultures, non-smokers are not well advised to go here, for smoking is allowed.

The Other Person Coffee on the 2nd floor, however, is radically different in style. All the objects resemble Japanese culture, while “waiters” are dressed in kimonos like geishas or anime characters. Since its operation in 2012, this café has never stopped appealing to anime and cosplay fans in the neighborhood.

If you are looking for a sweet, sugary and a bit unorthodox dessert, nothing suits you better than The Mockingbird (4th floor).  The specialty here - coconut ice cream mixed with pear and wine- is not something to be forgotten. Likewise, Coke Float makes visitors’ mouth water with the funny, fatty look. Regrettably, this image cannot maintain for too long before the cream melts and turns the drink into a hideous sight. What’s more soothing than enjoying a luscious dessert while watching the unceasingly exciting life of our country’s biggest city?

4. Ly Tu Trong Apartment Block-  26 Ly Tu Trong Street

Another café apartment in District 1! This one is situated at the intersection of Dong Khoi and Ly Tu Trong street. As it is just opposite the luxurious Vincom Centre, the background cannot suit you better for a good pose! Inside you can find bars, pubs, galleries, second-hand clothing shops, and, of course, cafes on offer. Styles range from classic to modern as you wander from floors to floors. Also constructed by the French, it is a symbol of great influence from their architecture, which can easily be seen in the staircase and the old lift. Unlike others, Ly Tu Trong apartment block has not undergone much reconstruction, therefore looks relatively more original.  Nonetheless, there has been little, if any, deterioration.

The Le Xuan art gallery, besides catching western travelers’ eyes, helps decorate the hallway with its stunning oil paintings.

Cong Café reminds nostalgic adults living in post-war years of those hard times. Enjoy the coffee and see the streets from the balcony. Don’t forget to look around to discover what your parents/ grandparents described as something “today’s kids never know how hard it was!”

The Loft on the same floor is another good choice for visitors. Ice-blended, soda and fruit juice are on the menu to freshen your day. This also serves dishes for the main course: European dishes like pasta are fantastic! One feature that makes The Loft stand out is the clock-like window.  This European object has acted as an icon for this café, attracting both city dwellers and tourists. In addition, jazz music is carefully selected by the owner to create an artistic landscape, so having lunch here would be something you cannot resist.

Bong Cai Xanh, despite being a cafe, is mainly known for main courses. A nutrient-rich meal in the vintage atmosphere here will suit office workers well.

Too much food and drinks already? Try shopping or photography. Saigonese love both. There are detailed instructions in the hallway, so getting lost will not be a problem. Otherwise, just wander to a random place. Photographers can help you with some memoirs of the trip, while shops have a variety of souvenirs for your friends.

5. Thai Van Lung Apartment Block, Thai Van Lung & Nguyen Du street

This one may be a bit different since the hallway is dark and a bit creepy. Still, this is all the more interesting for intrepid, curious visitors.

Cafes in this block are typical of Saigonese coffee culture: simple decoration. Reflections of this city’s culture can be seen anywhere. There are paintings, wooden doors, black and white TVs, and live acoustic music. For middle-aged adults willing to liven up their youth, there cannot be a more ideal place.

Bang Khuang Café, which was previously an old, abandoned flat, can revive memories of the good old days in every elder Saigonese. Listen to the door creaking, the people chatting. Look at those shelves and indoor hanging plants. Bang Khuang may have limited space, but the new owner managed to re-furnish and redecorate the flat to offer customers the airiest place possible. The warm and charming lighting from lanterns, with its focus on the paintings, turn this place a heaven for book readers. Beside the authentic homemade coffee, give the main courses a try.

Nguoi Sai Gon Café has its walls full of photographs, paintings and meaningful sayings about life. Music, sets of teapots and other potteries of the pre-1975 style give foreigners an overview of the city’s history. In the evening, several invited artists give live acoustic performances, mainly pre-war pieces.

* Address: The quarter 288 (Cư xá 288) Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, Ward 8, District 3

* Address: Alley 106 Binh Loi, Ward 13, Binh Thanh District

* Address: Alley 36 Nguyen Huy Tu, Da Kao Ward, District 1

   Alley 60 Le Thi Rieng Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1

   Alley 153 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1

* Address: Alley 62, 64 Nguyen Khoai Street, District 4

* Address: Alley 70 Dong Khoi Street, District 1

Flower Alley

* Address: Alley 57, Ho Thi Ky Street, Ward 1, District 10

* Address: Alley 498 Le Quang Dinh Street, Ward 1, Go Vap District

* Address: Alley 96 Phan Dinh Phung Street, Ward 2, Phu Nhuan District

* Address: Alley 284 Le Van Sy Street, District 3

* Address: Alley 123 – 125 Chau Van Liem Street, Ward 14, District 5

* Address: Alley 200 Xom Chieu

* Address: Alley 14 Tran Binh Trong, District 5

* Address: Alley 206 Tran Hung Dao Street, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, District 5