8 Date Ideas in Saigon to Ignite the Vietnam Romance Vibes

I don’t think I’ve ever dated as proactively as I did when I moved to Saigon, as I was newly single and hot off a breakup that had me feeling like that one dude with mascara when they wouldn’t stop picking on Britney Spears. Leave Britney alone. That’s not because I’m some total casanova who the ladies swoon for and the men want to be. Au contraire. It was just time to put myself out there in an attempt to mend my (then) broken heart.

It worked. Kind of. I’m not crying. I just have something in my eye and there’s a lot of dust in the air. 

Here are 8 certified date ideas in Saigon to spice up your next date night in Vietnam and ensure that you make the most of this vibrant, hectic, and enchanting city. 

Pale Ale Travel Note: Don’t worry, all these date ideas can be done with a friend or family member as well. I probably did half of these on various bro dates with roll dawgs living in Saigon or visiting for the weekend. 

Throw Some Axes Like a Boss

That was literally one of two axes that I successfully threw.

Of all the dates I’ve ever been on (in my life), this may be the most fun I’ve ever had. I don’t know how I even stumbled on this but I think I was watching Portlandia and it seemed like something hipsters on the West Coast of the U.S. would do while (judiciously) opining on geopolitical issues over a few craft beers. 

So, after taking six months out of Hong Kong to return to Saigon for several months (where I previously lived for over one year), I did some Googling and what came up? Big Daddy’s out in Thao Dien (District 2). I called up the girl I was dating at the time, contacted Big Daddy himself (aka Dan) to warn of our arrival, and made my way over to D2 for some Paul Bunyan-esque adventures with my Babe (get it?). 

Big Daddy’s is the first (and only – as of the date of publication) ax-throwing venue in all of Saigon, providing several dedicated lanes for friendly competition, buckets of beers and ciders, and pub grub – oh, and you can also throw ‘Ninja stars’ here too. My date was actually lethal with the ninja stars and warned me that should things go south in our relationship I might be on the receiving end of one.

Dan doesn’t leave you high and dry to figure out how to properly throw them and provides tutorials and demonstrations to kick things off. From there, let your hair down a bit, laugh, and don’t take yourself too seriously. This is one of those unforgettable date activities that is meant to break you out of your shell and encourage you and your date to encourage one another/celebrate your small victories.

I should note that the more Far East IPAs (by East West Brewing), the worse my accuracy got – which was already pretty poor to begin with. Also, I wouldn’t recommend wearing high heels like my date did as she almost took a few spills that led to her flailing wildly with an ax in her hand. We almost had an accidental Lorena Bobbit type of situation.

Website, Address, & Details: Big Daddy’s Website

• Location: 15 D. 12, Khu đô thị An Phú An Khánh, Thủ Đức, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam
• Note: I generally recommend calling ahead to make reservations as it can pack up quickly!

Dance & Drink at a Rooftop Bar

Banana Mama is located at the western entrance to Bui Vien Walking Street (pictured above).

Ho Chi Minh City is home to some of the best rooftop bars in all of Asia. From classy rooftop cocktail bars to all-night ‘al fresco’ clubs with funky balloons and beer towers, all the way to craft beer haunts, hotel lounges, and tropical-themed bars with panoramic views of the city, there’s something for everyone in Saigon. 

Consider starting your night out early and catching a sunset from a rooftop bar to really soak in the ambiance while skipping the crowds!

The majority of rooftop bars in Saigon are concentrated in District 1 and District 3 as those typically sport some of the best views of the city’s skyline and Saigon River. However, there are some fantastic perches in District 4 such as Thuong Rooftop (which serves up a wide array of local snacks) and District 2 like La Moon Rooftop Bar (with views of the towering Landmark 81). Several of my favorite rooftop bars in Saigon include:

• Social Club Rooftop Bar at the Hotel des Arts Saigon – this is one of the hippest spots in all of Saigon and boasts breathtaking views of District 1 and District 3. Make sure to walk across the glass suspension bridge between Hotel des Arts and the Centec Tower. 
• Saigon Saigon Rooftop Bar – for history, elegance, and comfort, there aren’t many better spots in the city than the Caravelle Hotel’s rooftop bar. Some of my best nights in the city include posting up here with my then-partner and sipping Old Fashioneds while the Cuban house band salsaed the night away. 
• The Lighthouse Saigon – if you’re looking for a mellow, chilled-out vibe with “non-commercial” electronic music, then The Lighthouse Saigon is your spot. I spent many nights here people-watching from the rooftop and shaking my tail feather Murphy Lee-style to a French DJ’s fresh tunes (whom I met at Workshop Coffee).
• Banana Mama Rooftop Bar – this was a new one that I only first made a trip to during my emphatic Saigon return in January 2023. I’m glad I went as I experienced a classic Saigon sunset (with a full belly of Vietnamese fried chicken) with an Aperol Slush in my hand. This is a great spot to start the night out if you’re planning on a big one due to it being right at the beginning (or end) of Bui Vien Walking Street. 

Pale Ale Travel Note: In my humble opinion, Saigon isn’t only home to one of the best craft beer scenes in Asia, it’s home to one of the best craft beer scenes in the world. It’s probably a driving factor behind why I stayed so long in Vietnam and felt so comfortable. Consider embarking on a self-guided Saigon craft beer pub crawl to get a taste of the local and international beer scene.

Brunch Down by the Water at The Deck

Website, Address, & Details: https://www.thedecksaigon.com/ 

• Location: 38 Nguyễn Ư Dĩ, Thảo Điền, Quận 2, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 10000, Vietnam
• Menu: https://www.thedecksaigon.com/index.php/menu 

Brunch isn’t just an activity, it’s a sport. I always find this is a great first-date activity to get to know someone better without committing yourself to a whole night. It can be as long or as short as you want it to be – depending on the vibe.

Saigon is home to more than a handful of rowdy, classy, and creative brunches that are perfect for your next date. From free-flow boozy brunches to seafood soirees and Mediterranean melees, you’re not going home hungry or sober. However, there is one brunch staple that reigns supreme in Saigon – The Deck. 

Situated right on the banks of the Saigon River in District 2, The Deck is an elegant, waterfront, and tranquil escape for couples looking to “take a breather” from the bustling city while chowing down on “elevated” Asian fusion and international favorites (their seafood bar and dim sum are always my go-to’s) and tossing back classic (and signature) cocktails and fashionable wines in the process. 

The Deck is one part Santorini or Bali Beach Club, one part gastronomic oasis, and two parts sophisticated indulgence. Kick your weekend off with an early morning brunch with cocktails while soaking in the sun (and Vitamin D) along the river or gear up for a night out on the town with more oysters than you can shake a stick at and an unforgettable watercolor Saigon sunset. 

Pale Ale Travel Tip: For further reading on formidable brunch options, make sure to check out my post breaking down the best brunches in Saigon.

Catch Some Live Music 

While Ho Chi Minh is rife with craft beer, rooftop bars, and coffee shops, live music can be a bit tricky to locate, especially with the pandemic having led to the closure of several institutions (RIP RFC). However, there is still (and always will be) an unparalleled liveliness and tenacity to the city that is seeing a recovery on the live music front. You just need to know where to look.

You’ll find intimate acoustic bars nestled in the back alleys of District 1 (and 3), outdoor beer halls showcasing local rock and alternative talent in District 2, cocktail lounges and bars with DJs spinning and mixing old-school hip hop, and other energetic live bands blasting familiar hits. Several of my favorite live music venues include:

• Acoustic Bar: this bar has it all – hip-hop, Lo-Fi, and of course, anything acoustic that you can dream up. What I especially love about Acoustic Bar is literally feeling like I’m in the performance. If you snag a front-row seat, there’s a good chance you’ll be knee-cap to knee-cap with whoever is performing that night. 
• Yoko Cafe: named after, you guessed it, Yoko Ono (with homages to Yoko and John plastered everywhere), Yoko Cafe is an off-the-beaten-track venue popular with locals that doesn’t confine itself to any one particular genre of music. I’ve heard everything from local rock classics to The Cranberries covers and 12-minute jazz piano solos here.
• Heart of Darkness Brewery: this may be my most regular spot on the list as I not only love the live music here but HOD’s beer (and food) selection is one of my top in the city. HOD’s live music (which sometimes includes country) is more of a complement to the creative and flavorful beers (and conversation) rather than the main enchilada. 

One new live music spot I had the pleasure of exploring during my recent several-month stint in Saigon was at La Casa del Habano (there are numerous locations across the world). It’s a hip, four-floor Cuban cigar and whiskey sanctuary with a rump-shaking house band belting out Latin-inspired favorites late into the night. Oh, and they make a damn good beef tenderloin and steak/salmon tartar as well (I made sure to try both).

While writing this, I was (am) ecstatic to learn that Sax n Art Jazz Club reopened, this time in Thao Dien. This used to be a go-to spot back in the day in District 1 for soothing, baby-making sax solos and bass riffs. Consider grabbing dinner at one of my favorite pizza spots in Saigon, Pizza 4P’s (there are several in the area), and hunkering down for legendary tropical and improvisational jazz that transports you to a different decade. 

If you’re looking to stay in District 1 and soak in some relaxing jazz, make sure to check out another one of my favorite spots – CỘI Saigon.

Pale Ale Travel Note: An important note that I’d like to make is that I don’t consider whatever noise they produce on Bui Vien to be ‘live music’. That’s not to say I don’t love the hedonism and spectacle of it all; rather I generally prefer not to walk away from live music shows without my hearing. I sound like an old man.

Cafe Hop Across the City

Iced Vietnamese coconut coffees at Whisfee Cafe.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When in Vietnam, drink copious amounts of battery-charged coffee at one of Ho Chi Minh’s infinite cafes or street coffee stalls. Day or night, you’ll find local Vietnamese out on the street or packing cafes, throwing back coffees and chatting with one another for hours on end. It’s one of my favorite things about Vietnam. 

There’s a reason why Vietnam is one of the major coffee capitals and second largest coffee exporters in the world – literally, everyone drinks coffee – and at all hours of the day.

You’ll find cafes and coffee shops catering to all types. From Ho Chi Minh’s iconic, nine-story ‘Cafe Apartment Building’ smack-dab in the middle of the city to hidden antique French tea rooms, specialty coffee roasters serving up electric cold brew, and quirky themed cafes brewing up delectable coconut and egg coffees, and everything in between, if you can dream it, you can drink it (in coffee form).

If you aren’t in the mood to walk or Grab across the city to cafe hop, I recommend heading to Nguyen Hue’s ‘Cafe Apartment Building’ or the lesser-trafficked (and my preferred) cafe building along the D1/D4 border at 14 Tôn Thất Đạm (Whisfee Cafe, Haru Cafe, and Mockingbird Cafe are three of my favorite coffee spots in all of Ho Chi Minh).

Several of my other favorite cafes (which I’ve strangely been on dates at every single one) across the city include: 

• Cong Caphe (Locations Everywhere) – a popular chain that is my go-to for slushy-like iced coconut coffees. You can find one of these on almost any corner of the city.
• Workshop Coffee – a laptop and work-friendly coffee shop in District 1 serving up strong cold brew and Western fare (I’ve put in more hours at this cafe than any other in the world)
• L’usine (All Locations) – a chain of hybrid restaurant-coffee shops that is always reliable for ca phe sua da, great eats, and a laid-back atmosphere. My personal favorite is the Lê Thánh Tôn branch. 
• The Old Compass Cafe and Bar – a somewhat hidden coffeehouse serving up Vietnamese and Thai food, wine, and cocktails, and a cozy atmosphere that’s perfect for getting to know someone. 

Pale Ale Travel Tip: If you’re like me and also like balancing your cafe trips with some work, make sure to check out my post breaking down five laptop-friendly cafes in Ho Chi Minh City. 

Get a Luxurious Couples Massage at the Park Hyatt

Look, it’s been a long day for you both. Whether it was a long one getting beaten down by “the system” at work, fighting over how you have to stop hanging out with Todd and his buddies every weekend because you come home too drunk, or exercising those muscles at a CrossFit class that you definitely have to make sure everyone in your friend circle knows about, it’s time to take a load off and treat yourself to some TLC. 

What better way to find your inner zen and recover that broken mind and body than with a couples (or solo) massage and/or spa day? Saigon is an epicenter of affordable relaxation and blissful pamper sessions that include everything from ethereal exfoliating wraps to traditional, vigorous, deep-tissue Vietnamese full body massages, to muscle tension-alleviating hot stone seances, and everything in between. 

My personal favorite massage spot is ‘Xuan Spa’ at The Park Hyatt in District 1, which provides a luxurious gateway to Mekong Delta-inspired wellness, beauty, and health traditions. I typically rock the 90-minute ‘Xuan Signature Muscle Release’ which clocks in at just over 3.2 million Dong (USD 130) and is geared towards promoting circulation and reducing inflammation (I run a lot so am just chronically in pain and inflamed). I’m not a regular massage guy (or a Bobby Kraft either), so I always enjoy shelling out a bit extra for the one or two times per year that I do decide to treat myself. This is worth every penny. 

After your massage, consider heading downstairs for their coveted ‘Afternoon Tea’ set. I had one memorable date here where my date showed up in a full ballroom gown and high heels (for a very casual afternoon tea). I was in athletic shorts and a cat t-shirt. Overall, even though we weren’t compatible, it was a really nice time and turned into a far better date than I first anticipated based on the contrast in our outfits. 

If the Park Hyatt doesn’t tickle your fancy, there’s nearly a massage spot or spa on every corner, just be wary of what you’re walking into if you decide to go to Japan Town. Several reasonably priced spots that I enjoy mixing in include Golden Lotus Spa & Massage Club (complete with a sauna and hot and cold pools) and Zen Spa Foot & Body Massage.

My first time at Golden Lotus, I went for a massage with my best buddy and his girlfriend and had a 4-foot-tall Vietnamese woman beat the ever-loving crap out of my back for two hours. I’m not sure my howls of pain and confusion were appreciated by my friends who were in reclinable chairs next to me, trying to relax and turn off their brains after a long week of work. Pain never felt so good.

Pale Ale Travel Anecdote: Shoutout to my one buddy who had a bit of a different weekend at the Park Hyatt than I did, where after picking up some bath bombs and using them in his suite for the night, he ended up clogging the drain and overflooding the room. 

Do as the Locals Do & Chat the Night Away at Turtle Lake 

• Address: Vo Thi Sau Ward, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Grabbing your loved one, a Vietnamese street snack, ca phe sua da (coffee), or a couple of Saigon bias (beer) and posting up to chat deep into the night at Turtle Lake is about as authentic as you can get when it comes to dating like a local in Ho Chi Minh City. 

Turtle Lake is neither a lake nor does it have turtles, rather a natural pond that sits at the intersection of three roads (a roundabout actually) and a stone’s throw away from the Independence Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Saigon Central Post Office. 

The octagonal fountain with spiraling paths and tower (resembling a lotus) was first constructed with a turtle statue in the mid-to-late 1960s that was unfortunately destroyed by anarchists in the late 1970s. 

Turtle Lake has become an institution over the years and a hotspot for Saigon’s youth due to its proximity to universities and other schools, and various coffee shops, food carts, and drink stalls that line the roundabout. 

Get there early to snag some real estate along the “lake,” some street snacks like fried squid, grilled rice cake, or Vietnamese pizza (Bánh tráng nướng), and ice-cold sugarcane juice, coconut water, or bias (beer) and make a night of it. There’s an inexplicable collective effervescence felt here where you really feel in step with the social fabric of Vietnam’s most cosmopolitan city.

Break Your Way Out of an Escape Room

I probably wouldn’t suggest this as a first date idea due to the thought of being trapped in a room with someone who you find out you have zero chemistry with might be what nightmares are made of. 

However, an escape room is the perfect date idea in Saigon for couples (or prospective couples) looking to work through puzzles together in a creative, communicative, and unique environment. 

There are a handful of escape rooms spread out across the city, the three most popular being ‘Master Escape’, ‘Inside Xcape Room’, and ‘Real Escape Rooms’. My biggest note about the escape rooms in Saigon is that they all are (or appear to be) horror and/or mystery-themed which seems to add an element of intensity (and fear) to the endeavor.

I’ve only tried my luck at ‘Real Escape Rooms’ in District 10 as I knew for sure it was geared towards foreigners (and I unfortunately speak non-existent Vietnamese). It sports five to six different themed rooms, most of them horror or mystery (of course). I do have to thank my date for having far more common sense than I do as I think I would have mentally capitulated if I was left to my own devices. 

What I like about ‘Real Escape Rooms’ is the ‘difficulty ratings’ on their website which allowed us to line up one that wouldn’t leave me like Brittany Murphy in ‘Don’t Say a Word’ from the stress. We opted for ‘Bloody Heart’ which sported a nice little twist that caught me off guard. I should warn you that if you select the 18+ option then you can bet your bottom dollar there will be a jumpscare or two.

Saigon escape room prices range anywhere from 150k VND to 350k-plus VND per player, depending on the room, and range anywhere from one to two hours. Just make sure to call or reserve online (via WhatsApp or Skype) before showing up. 

Exploring Saigon’s Hidden Charm is Better With a Partner

Don’t worry, all of these activities can be done solo as well so there’s no sweat if you show up like Jason Segel in Forgetting Sarah Marshall (I’ve done it plenty).

What I love most about Saigon is that a lot of the beauty of the city is hidden. Hidden in back alleys, hidden in unassuming, somewhat worn down buildings, hidden in random pockets of the city that you might otherwise not think anything of when first passing by. Discovering that beauty with someone makes it all the more special and is why Saigon is and will be an important part of my life and a city that I keep spending extended periods of time in. 

Whether you’re on a first date or looking to spice things up with your long-term partner, there’s a date activity for couples (or prospective couples) of all types in Ho Chi Minh City. 

If you have any favorite date activities or spots in Saigon, I’d love to hear from you in the comments. If you have any questions about moving to or living in Ho Chi Minh City, don’t hesitate to reach out and I’ll do my best to answer any questions I can! 

Date well everyone,

Big Body