Gay Ho Chi Minh City
Amongst the dizzying amount of motorbikes and tropical downpours, you'll find the heart of Vietnam's queer culture. This is new gay Asia at it's finest.
Just to the north of the Mekong Delta, Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon as many locals still refer to it, straddles a collection of rivers that flow into the neighboring South China Sea. This Asian megacity has a population of 9.3 million, and each night it is lit up by neon skyscrapers that house the city’s numerous rooftop bars and trendy clubs. HCMC’s tropical weather causes daily rainstorms, and its streets are dripping with vibrant flora year-round. Saigon may not be the capital of Vietnam, but it is definitely the center of Queer life in this country. You can find local queers drinking sugary coffee drinks at street-side cafes, shopping for the newest street fashions at hip malls, dancing all night in rooftop rave clubs, or zipping by you in their flamboyant Vespas. The city is divided into 19 districts and multiple other communes, but most of queer life happens in Districts 1 and 2. In District 1 skyscrapers containing international eateries and rooftop lounges sit next to humble Buddhist temples. Some of the city’s top cultural attractions are found in this area as well as most of HCHC’s queer nightlife. Across the river, you’ll find the expat-popular District 2 which houses the neighborhood of Thao Dien. It’s a 15-minute drive from the city center, but the quiet tree-lined streets are filled with boutique shops and waterfront dining options. The recent boom has been fueled by the anticipation of the metro line which is set to open sometime in 2024.
Nightlife:
The Vietnamese love to party, and the city’s loose zoning laws have produced a plethora of interesting venues to enjoy the night. In District 1, what might seem like a drab office building by day hosts sky-high underground clubs that bring top international DJs to spin amongst the city lights such as The Lighthouse, The Observatory, and Broma not a Bar.
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