[Head-to-head] Hanoi vs Ho Chi Minh City: which city has the livelier nightlife? A guide for business travelers and tourists

"It's my first business trip to Vietnam. Where should I go after work to soak up the local atmosphere?"
"A trip to Vietnam with friends! I want to make the most of it and party all night!"

Sound familiar?

Vietnam is about a 6-hour direct flight from Japan. Hanoi, the capital in the north, and Ho Chi Minh City, the economic hub in the south, are both hugely popular for business trips and holidays.

But did you know that these two cities have completely different faces at night?

In this article, we compare the nightlife energy of Vietnam's two biggest cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City! Read this and you'll find the perfect way to spend your nights for your purpose and get the most out of your stay in Vietnam.

Hanoi at night: a lively summer festival, shoulder to shoulder

Night in the capital, Hanoi, is like a lively summer festival at a local shrine. Among the historic streets, it's warm and close-knit, with people sitting shoulder to shoulder.

Cheers on plastic stools! Ta Hien Street

Ta Hien Street in Hanoi's Old Quarter is also known as Beer Street. At night, tiny plastic stools – like the ones in a Japanese bathroom – line both sides of the street.

Tourists, locals and business travelers in suits all sit on the low stools shoulder to shoulder and shout "Một, hai, ba, dzô!" (1, 2, 3, cheers!). There's a warm, friendly energy here that makes it easy to make friends with the people at the next table.

About 60 yen a glass!? Super-cheap draft beer: bia hoi

Hanoi's signature drink is bia hoi, a fresh draft beer. It's slightly lower in alcohol and very refreshing – you can gulp it down like water. And it's incredibly cheap, from about 60 yen a glass! It's truly the fast food of the beer world. Drinking it with tasty street-stall snacks in Hanoi's night breeze is something special.

Ho Chi Minh City at night: a giant outdoor festival in the city that never sleeps

Night in the giant southern city of Ho Chi Minh City, on the other hand, is like a huge music festival held in a dome stadium. Glaring neon, loud music and above all, raw, powerful energy.

Overwhelming scale! Bui Vien Street

If you want to feel Ho Chi Minh City at its most energetic, you can't miss Bui Vien Street. Packed with travelers from all over the world, it becomes a pedestrian street at night and turns into something like a theme park.

The bars and clubs on both sides blast dance music you can feel in your stomach, and the neon signs glare. Fire-breathing street performers walk by and dancing breaks out on the street – it's a place bursting with "just enjoy the moment" energy.

Rooftop bars: looking down on the city lights

Ho Chi Minh City's other face is its rooftop bars on top of high-rise buildings. You can enjoy stylish cocktails while looking down on the sparkling city lights. It's a sophisticated, grown-up kind of energy – perfect for business travelers chatting with colleagues about how fast Vietnam is growing.

[Comparison table] Which kind of energy suits you?

Here's a simple table comparing Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

3 tips for enjoying Vietnam's nights safely

Finally, here are the essential tips for business travelers and tourists to enjoy Vietnam's nights safely.

For details, see the article below.

[Must-read] For business travelers and tourists in Vietnam: 5 things to watch out for at night and how to stay safe

A trip or business trip to Vietnam. After sightseeing or work during the day, heading out into the neon-lit nightlife is one of the big pleasures, right? Ice-cold beer for just a few dozen yen a glass, lively street stalls, glitzy bars and massage venues...

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• Get around with the ride-hailing app Grab
  Taxis hailed on the street carry a risk of overcharging. Download Grab while you're still in Japan – it shows the fare in advance and you don't have to explain your destination in words.
• Watch out for pickpockets and bag snatchers
  Even when you're in a good mood after a few drinks, keep your bag firmly in front of you. Using your phone while walking is also risky.
• Don't let it affect the next day's work (or sightseeing)
  Lots of business travelers get carried away by Vietnam's energy and drink too much! Stay hydrated and enjoy yourself within your limits.

Summary: get out there and enjoy Vietnam's nights!

Both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have an intense nightlife energy you'll never experience in Japan.

• To link arms with friends and knock back cheap, tasty beer on the street:Hanoi
• To be wrapped in music and neon and feel the full power of a big city:Ho Chi Minh City

Which kind of energy do you want to experience?
Once your trip to Vietnam is decided, check your schedule first and have fun planning how to spend your free nights.

[What to do next]

1. Check which city you're staying in (Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City)
2. Download and set up the ride-hailing app Grab on your phone
3. Save the spots you're interested in (Ta Hien Street, Bui Vien Street, etc.) to your favorites on Google Maps

Once you're ready, all that's left is to have a great time. Enjoy an amazing night in Vietnam!