The rain's stopped. Going out?

Saigon doesn't sleep early

In Saigon the evening usually starts with "going out?" in the group chat. Then everyone rides over to a snail restaurant on Vinh Khanh, sits on plastic stools on the pavement, clinks glasses with "một, hai, ba, dzô!" and the conversation just keeps going. If you prefer somewhere quieter, there are rooftop cafes looking down on the street, or a small bar deep in an alley.

In the rainy season the afternoon showers come fast and stop just as fast, and the city is lively again as if nothing happened. The hard part is meeting someone new: a week of messages and then left on read, or plans that stay at "some other time". YesTonite only cares about tonight: see who is going out, send one message, and if they reply, meet that same night.

Friday and Saturday are the busiest, but on weekdays plenty of people go out after work too. Dinner often starts late and runs long, so meeting up after dinner is just right.

Where to go out in Saigon

• Bui VienThe liveliest walking street at night: loud music and big crowds, locals and visitors from everywhere.
• Nguyen Hue Walking StreetA wide square in the centre where crowds stroll, look at the lights and enjoy the breeze in the evening.
• Thao DienA riverside area with bars, restaurants and garden cafes, more relaxed than the centre.
• Vinh KhanhThe famous snail street, one restaurant after another, busiest from early evening until late.
• Turtle LakeA favourite meeting spot for young people to sit with a drink and snacks and talk until late.
• Phan Xich LongA food area in Phu Nhuan with restaurants, drinking spots and cafes open late.