9 of the Best Rooftop Bars in Saigon
Saigon, Vietnam is a rooftop bar lover’s dream. Nothing quite beats throwing back a few cocktails while overlooking a city that never sleeps. As you may know from checking out my blog, I’m a big fan of “the booze.” So, during my year-plus living in Saigon (aka Ho Chi Minh City), I made it my goal to find the best rooftop bars in Saigon and see exactly what its nightlife truly has to offer.
I’ve compiled a list of 9 of my favorite rooftop bars in Saigon, Vietnam, so that you aren’t left wondering where to go the next time you want to hit the town and have a few drinks with a view.
Broma Not a Bar
Picture courtesy of Broma’s Facebook page.
Broma Not a Bar might have my favorite name of all bars on the entire list. Located right off the famous walking street, Nguyen Hue Street, Broma Not a Bar is a staple of the Saigon rooftop bar scene. If I could describe Broma in one sentence, it would be a rooftop jungle with a laid back vibe. Hands down, Broma Not a Bar is one of the best rooftop bars in Ho Chi Minh – no matter who you ask.
While Broma doesn’t quite reach the heights of the other bars on the list, it does provide a pretty spectacular view of Bitexco Financial Tower (the tallest building in Vietnam until January 2011) and Nguyen Hue. You can usually find international DJs spinning some tunes at Broma, great craft beer (including one of my favorites – TeTe Electric IPA), themed nights, and an active dance floor.
I definitely recommend checking out Broma Not a Bar on their Afro Tuesday night, where you can find upbeat, house and live music with bongo-driven beats and a boogie-down vibe.
Website, Address, & Details: https://www.facebook.com/broma.not.a.bar/
Pro Tip: Consider hitting up one of Saigon’s countless breweries to snag a craft beer and steak before heading out for the night!
Breeze Sky Bar
Picture courtesy of Breeze Sky Bar’s Facebook page.
Located in the Hotel Majestic Saigon, Breeze Sky Bar is my definition of a day-drinking rooftop bar. It also just so happens to have the best view of the tranquil Saigon River (and District 2) of all rooftop bars mentioned in this list. Breeze Sky Bar is fitted with wooden furnishing and a French-style interior and brings you back to French-Colonial rule in Vietnam, which makes for a unique, evocative experience.
I’ve read several reviews of Breeze Sky Bar where people were pretty unimpressed with the view of the Saigon River. But, I loved it. Maybe, it was because the first time I went to “day drink” with one of my best buddies. I think people need to understand that not every attraction or view is going to be the best you have ever seen. For me, a glimpse into everyday life is far more exciting and authentic – and that’s what I love about the view from Breeze Sky Bar.
This is not a late-night bar by any means, and I would recommend heading here for snacks and lunch at their restaurant, happy hour, and day drinking.
Breeze Sky Bar does start to see an influx of tourists around dinner time, which is typically accompanied by a traditional Vietnamese musical performance. However, I definitely would make sure to get your drinking, eating, and relaxing done before this.
Website, Address, & Details: http://majesticsaigon.com/breeze-sky-bar/
Pale Ale Travel: Traveling to Vietnam and want to make sure you are even allowed into these rooftop bars? Make sure to check out my post on important Vietnam alcohol laws to know.
Saigon Saigon Rooftop Bar
Picture courtesy of Saigon Saigon Rooftop Bar’s Facebook page.
For me, Saigon Saigon Rooftop Bar is the ultimate sunday night date night rooftop bar. It has plenty of seating, an incredible rooftop view of District 1 and parts of Nguyen Hue walking street, and you can usually find a Cuban band and dance trio rocking the mic and dance floor most nights of the week!
Saigon Saigon Bar just so happens to be in an institution as well, located in the iconic Caravelle Hotel – an icon deeply ingrained in Vietnam’s resilient and tragic history (it was the scene of a bomb explosion in 1964 and home to the Australian Embassy).
Saigon Saigon Rooftop Bar is a bar of multitudes and able to satiate any craving you have. Whether it is boogieing down to Cuban music on the dance floor, having a quiet one with friends and family, or getting a solid pre-game in while overlooking a truly one-of-a-kind city, Saigon Saigon Rooftop Bar will serve you well.
Website, Address, & Details: https://www.caravellehotel.com/saigon-saigon-bar/
Eon Heli Bar (Bitexco Financial Tower)
Picture courtesy of Eon Heli Bar’s website.
I might catch some flack for including this one because it is very touristy, but you know what? I actually have had a great time every time I’ve snagged a cocktail or two with friends coming into town at the Eon Heli Bar in Bitexco Financial Tower. The Eon Heli Bar located on the 52nd floor of Bitexco Financial Tower is a top spot that travelers visiting Saigon want to check out. And, there’s a good reason why.
Bitexco’s Eon Heli Bar boasts a 360 degree panoramic view of Saigon and is located smack dab in the middle of Saigon’s hustle and bustle. The dimly lit interior really lets the city’s lights and charm speak for itself – it somewhat feels like you are at the helm of the Starship Enterprise staring out into a star-filled galaxy.
This is usually only a spot I recommend for grabbing a drink or two at, taking advantage of their happy hour from 1PM to 4PM at, walking around to soak in the entirety of Saigon, and ticking off the tourist boxes. However, you won’t be disappointed.
Pro Tip: Vietnam does have sort of an obsession with Heineken beer. Before heading up to the Eon Heli Bar, I recommend partaking in the World of Heineken beer tour (also in Bitexco Financial Tower), where you’ll get a glimpse into Heineken’s history, a 4D brewing movie experience, and be gifted 20 or 30 minutes to pour your own Heineken draft beers!
Website, Address, & Details: https://eon51.com/eon-heli-bar/
Social Club Rooftop Bar – Hotel des Arts Saigon
Picture courtesy of Social Club Rooftop Bar’s Facebook page.
Located atop the Hotel des Arts Saigon, Social Club Rooftop Bar is where Saigon’s social elite go to see and be seen. But don’t worry, it won’t break the bank and isn’t as pretentious as I made it sound with that opening line. Social Club Rooftop Bar is the ideal spot to take in a Saigon sunset and check out Saigon’s glittering skyline.
Saigon Club Rooftop Bar boasts multiple standing tables and armchairs right next to the highest infinity rooftop pool in the city, which makes for a unique, scenic spot to grab a few drinks. I strongly recommend trying any signature cocktail on the menu (the cold brew-based Black Opium being my favorite for a long night ahead). There’s also a DJ booth in a waterless hot tub next to the infinity pool, which caused me great confusion at first, as I had no idea why cigarette smoke was emanating from my feet!
What I especially love about the Social Club Rooftop Bar is its glass suspension bridge that connects the Hotel des Arts Saigon and the Centec Tower, so you definitely have to go take a walk across it (probably best to do before you have a ton of drinks and then get vertigo).
Website, Address, & Details: https://www.hoteldesartssaigon.com/restaurants-bars/social-club-rooftop-bar/
- Location: MGallery Saigon, 76-78 Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, Phường 6, Quận 3, Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam
Pro Tip: Social Club isn’t just a great spot to grab some late night drinks with a great view (and mingle with some of Saigon’s social elite), but it also boasts one of my favorite brunches in all of Saigon.
The Observatory
Picture courtesy of The Observatory’s Facebook page.
Oh man, I’ve had some big nights at The Observatory. That’s why it will always have a special place in my heart. Some of my finest memories (or lack thereof) at The Observatory include throwing back local beers while finishing off a funky balloon or two (I know, I know, “You’ll shoot your eye out kid”) and looking out over Saigon from their rooftop terrace.
The Observatory originally began as a multipurpose art and music space, eventually shifting its focus towards music – now supporting a great rooftop bar and inside dance club blasting house and techno music. It has been described as a spot to experience the “quintessential European clubbing experience” and is now one of Saigon’s go-to late night spots for expat and local partiers looking to shake their booties into the wee hours.
Compared to other bars on this list, which are great to watch the sunset at, I have to recommend The Observatory for taking in a Saigon sunrise at! It is also worth mentioning that you will have to pay a cover for The Observatory, which comes in around VND $150,000 (USD $6.50).
Website, Address, & Details: https://www.facebook.com/theobservatoryhcmc/
The View Rooftop Bar (Bui Vien)
Picture courtesy of The View Rooftop Bar’s Facebook page.
For me, Bui Vien always spells T-R-O-U-B-L-E. But, in the best way possible. The View Rooftop Bar located atop the Duc Vuong Hotel on the infamous Bui Vien backpacker street is the ultimate spot for mingling with fellow backpackers and tourists passing through Saigon (with a not so shabby view to accompany). In fact, it is the highest rooftop bar and restaurant on Bui Vien. Beer and drink are cheap, both Vietnamese and Western food is on the menu, and staff is extremely welcoming – what more can you ask for?
The best description I can provide for The View Rooftop Bar is that it reminds me of Peter Pan and the Lost Boys’ treehouse with Chinese lanterns (I’m not sure if they are actually Chinese lanterns, but they have a ton of colorful lights).
What I love about The View Rooftop Bar (and Bui Vien) is that you have people from all backgrounds and budgets mingling in the same spot. It is as unpretentious as bars come, and you’ll likely find yourself a crew to hit up other bars and clubs with that night.
Website, Address, & Details: https://theviewrooftopbar.com/about-us/
- Location: On the 9th floor of Duc Vuong Hotel, 195 Bùi Viện, Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Pro Tip: The View Rooftop Bar is a great place to take a breather and soak in the sites while working your way through the following bars and breweries on my self-guided craft beer pub crawl.
SKYXX Garden & Lounge
Picture courtesy of SKYXX Garden & Lounge’s Facebook page.
Some nights you just so happen to be in the mood for a bass-thumping, high-energy, let-loose rooftop bar with a hype man blurting out the occasional “Mot, hai, ba, YO!” while you slug beers and smoke shisha. SKYXX Garden and Lounge is exactly that. Located atop the Deutsches Haus Building, SKYXX requires a certain mood and mindset to enjoy everything SKYXX has to offer – and that is an energetic one. This is not a “chill sky bar” by any means.
Some highlights of SKYXX Garden and Lounge include strong drinks (and a great assortment of whiskey), personal and group cabanas, dance performances, incredibly energetic hype men, and a chic outdoor garden terrace. I spent New Year’s Eve here during my year-plus living in Saigon, which was just a very memorable (and crowded) experience that I would suggest considering if you are wondering where to ring in the new year at!
SKYXX Garden and Lounge is a bit more upscale than The View Rooftop Bar on Bui Vien, so I generally throw on a blazer and some slacks, and recommend that you throw on whatever your “going out” outfit is.
Website, Address, & Details: https://skyxx.vn
Pro Tip: Don’t randomly fall asleep in someone else’s cabana like I did.
The Lighthouse
Picture courtesy of The Lighthouses’ Facebook page.
In Saigon’s rooftop bar scene, The Lighthouse is a beacon of well…light, where you can find a young, enthusiastic crowd bopping around to non-commercial, alternative electronic music. The Lighthouse carries very much a “mellow vibe,” where patrons are given the option of relaxing and people-watching from a 360 degree view rooftop (looking down on the bustling District 1), or dancing the night away across one of The Lighthouse’s two floors.
Prices are far more reasonable here than at several of the other rooftop bars listed in this article (ex. SKYXX and Social Club), which makes for a spot that you can potentially post up at all night. The Lighthouse is also a great launching point for one’s night, due to its near central location in District 1, and ending point thanks to it being open until 5AM (Thursday through Saturday).
I do have to give a shoutout to DJ Peanuts, one of the DJs that you can frequently find spinning there. That is originally how I found out about The Lighthouse and started going, as I would work out of the same coffee shop as him during the day and we struck up conversation quite often.
Website, Address, & Details: https://thelighthousesaigon.com
Pro Tip: Grab a beer or cocktail at one of my favorite breweries in all of Saigon, Pasteur Street Brewing, before heading over to The Lighthouse. It is just right around the corner and a great spot to wolf down some meatballs, their Jasmine IPA, and map out your night.
Fantastic Rooftop Bars Are A-Plenty in Saigon
There you have it! 9 of the best rooftop bars in Saigon. As you can see, there are no shortage of rooftop bars in Ho Chi Minh City and there is likely one to fit whichever mood you and your friends (or date) are in. Whether you are looking for a relaxed happy hour to post up at, a high energy club with shisha and hype men, or a budget friendly backpacker bar – Saigon’s rooftop bar scene will not leave you disappointed.
I know I likely missed some of your favorites (looking at you seasoned Saigon-vets), so I would love to hear which Saigon rooftop bars you love to hit up, snag some cocktails at, and get debaucherous at. Just writing this piece made me incredibly excited to get back to Ho Chi Minh for another long stint. Hopefully, I’ll be able to add to this list as well!
If you are hungover the next day after a big night out, I recommend heading to one of Saigon’s incredible cafes to rejuvenate with an ice cold Vietnamese coffee or hearty breakfast. Or, if you are looking to get at it and slang a few beers at a BBQ restaurant, make sure to check out my article breaking down four of my favorite BBQ restaurants in Saigon.
Be well,
Big Body
Big Body is a voracious lov…eater, a cowardly fighter, and a self-proclaimed curry goat BBQ-eating champion (don’t forget the donkey milk) who likes Stoicism, baseball, and writing in the third person. Having worked for himself for the last 7 years, he isn’t particularly successful but he does still drink ice-cold Sapporo draft beers with the best of them and knows his way around a Dai Pai Dong or two. He is based in Hong Kong but you can still find him in Saigon, Osaka, and Vienna for extended periods.