Vietnam is a diverse nation with a long history of battling for its independence against foreign aggression. Ruled by the all powerful communist party, a controlled element of internal free trade has started to bring about a strong economy. The former southern capital of Saigon, officially called Ho Chi Minh City, remains one of the more liberal parts of the country.
Ha Noi is a fascinating city, with the French Quarter and the Old Quarter surrounding the large and picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake. There are several other lakes ands parks around the city.
The Old Quarter has 36 narrow streets full of cheap guesthouses, shops, cafes, restaurants, and tour firms housed in wonderful old shophouses. Full of character, the Old Quarter is packed with tourists, and noisy as hell until after midnght.
The French Quarter has wide tree-lined streets lined with government and business offices set in well-looked after and attractive colonial style buildings.
Most of the city center is ideal for walks, if you are careful of the motorcycle mayhem that is a standard part of Vietnamese life.
Gay LIfe
A warning is offered that most Vietnamese are narrow minded about gays, and many Vietnamese gays tend to be very closeted, most especially in the north. Most 'gay' venues keep quiet about their existance for fear of police raids etc. so be careful! The government recognises that it must work with the gay community to fight against AIDS/HIV. No place that we list here is exclusively gay. Our thanks to Claude and Hung for their valuable help in compiling this page.
Ha Noi has no exclusively gay venues that we are aware of. Visitors are warned to be careful of young men cruising around the city's lakes who may not be what they seem; and of young men on motorcycles offering visits to karaoke bars. You may end up getting badly ripped off, or even assaulted. You are more likely to encounter other visiting gays rather than local gay men.
Sai Gon (Ho Chi Minh City) as a more open scene but you still need to be discrete and be aware of crminals posing as gay men cruising.
Ha Noi
Tour Guide (all Vietnam based in Ha Noi) Leo, speaks good English. email: longnt2002vn@yahoo.com
Adam Sauna (men only) In the narrow alleyway between 215 and 217 Kham Thien Street
GC Bar (weekends) Bao Khanh Street, Ha Noi
VTN Cafe (weekends) 72 Nguyen Du Street, Ha Noi.
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Tour Guide (For all of Vietnam) Hung, 23 year old university student and tour guide. Knows all areas of Vietnam. Speaks English and French. Great tour guide and companion for good tourists, but he is not interested in sex tourists. email: quoclehung@yahoo.com
BARS & PUBS
Cay Xoai Truc Bach Lake. Gay owned.
Dong Phuong Cafe 22 Ba Huyen Thanh Quan, District 3 Gay popular Friday thru Sunday nights 9pm- midnight
Eden Bar 236 De Tham, District 1, phone 836-8154 Mixed, Tropical decor and budget prices with a friendly atmosphere. The food is international and very good. The third floor also contains budget priced rooms for longer stays.
Samsara 2/f 131 Dong Khoi, District 1 Above the Broda Restaurant near the opera house and Sheraton Hotel. This place is new and has opened, closed, and opened again in a very short time. Busy with many gays Friday and Saturday nights, 10pm-late.
Sparks Lo Duc Street ( formally Me Linh Cinema House) Live music.
Sheridan's Irish Pub Not gay, but a must visit. Often live bands playing great American music from the 60s. Great hamburgers! Say hello to "Phat", the manager. Ask to see his paintings, they are exquisit.
DISCOS
Apocalypse Now (disco) 2B-2C Thi Sach, District 1, Phone 825-6124 Mixed young Vietnamese and some hustlers.Two dance floors with an open-air Garden cafe. hours: Daily, 8pm till late, cover usually free to foreigners.
Ben Thanh (oriental club) 3/f Orient Club,6 Mac Dinh Chi, District 1. Busy for gays Monday night 8:30-11 pm. Large crowd of young local Vietnamese.Good music, lucky drawing and fun atmosphere.
"Lost in Saigon Gay Disco" at the Ben Thanh Cinema, Pham Ngu Lao Street, next door to the US Consulate. Monday nights 9pm - 11pm.
FITNESS ETC
Nha Van Hoa Lao Dong (Eorkers Club) 55b Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, District 3 A large sports facility including tennis, basketball, gym, etc. Very busy place. Back by the swimming pool is known to be very cruisy along with the sauna and gym. Bring your own swim suite and towel. Swim suites are also for sale. Plastic bags are purchased to store your belongings.
KARAOKE
Dong Phuong Cafe 22 Ba Huyen Thanh Quan, District 3 Gay popular Friday thru Sunday nights 9pm- midnight
Nang Xanh Cafe Bar Phan Xich Long, Binh Thanh District Gay cafe with singing and dancing 9pm-midnight
Time Cafe 28 Tan Xuan, Tan Binh District, Gay popular, open 8pm-midnight
RESTAURANTS/CAFES
343 Cafe (coffee shop) 343 Nguyen Trai, District 1 Air conditioning inside, garden decor outside. Gay popular 8am-11pm
Al Fresco's (full assorted foriegn menue) not gay 27 Dong Du, District 1, almost across from the Sheraton Hotel Great food for the foreighner. imported beef from Austrailia. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Kim Cafe (Vietnamese and continental food) 268 De Tham, District 1 in the back packers area. Gay popular and friendly. Good food at reasonable prices served with a smile.
Phuong Cac Cafe (Coffe shop) 213 Bis Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, District 3 Reasonable prices and nice decor. Sunday morning is the place to see and be seen. 9am-noon. Hundreds of young Vietnamese gather. Only Vietnamese spoken here.
