In general, Vietnam is considered a safe place for LGBT travellers. There is no official law prohibiting same-sex relationships in Vietnam. The general public is still strange to the concept of LGBT but they absolutely do not harass known homosexual or lesbian individuals, at least physically. PDA is not appreciated but the same goes to straight couples.
An event called Viet Pride has been held in Hanoi and HCMC since 2012 with a lot of activities such as film screenings, parties and motorbike rally. This shows how more open young people have been towards LGBT people. Together with this awareness, many more cafés, bars, forums and communities for LGBT people now are even more active.
Hanoi
The LGBT communities in Hanoi are obvious more discreet when compared to HCMC communities. The night bars, clubs in general and LGBT friendly bars and clubs, in particular, are not varied and being under the tight control of the government. Also, the nightlife in Hanoi is not as active since everything else is closed before midnight, except for a few bars and clubs. It’s pretty hard to find exclusive venues for LGBT people but most of the night bars, clubs are LGBT friendly.
GC Bar (Gay friendly)
Address: 5 Bảo Khánh, Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam
Phone: +84 4 3825 0499
GC (Golden Cock) bar is just walking distance from Hoan Kiem lake. The bar is the most popular and oldest gay venue in Hanoi and Vietnam. GC bar is more alive in the weekend with locals, tourists and ex-pats. The dinks are cheap and there is a DJ taking care of the music. The atmosphere is calm, nice and friendly.
Hanoi Queer (Community) | Website
Hanoi Queer is more like a community with collective places (or Queer Zone) that committed to being friendly and no discrimination to LGBT by using a mall triangle rainbow sticker or rainbow flag. This community is founded in June 2015, a rather young and still developing group. There are three main activities that Hanoi Queer is operating: sharing information and spread knowledge of the Queer community; connecting queer and ally communities; connecting and developing friendly places for sexual and gender minorities. Hanoi Queer is yet to have an official office but can be reached out on its Facebook and website.
The group is trying with many events like PRIDE acoustic concert, offline meetings and most recent is English practising classes. Hanoi Queer is a young, healthy and welcoming environment for everyone from all over the world.
Zone 17 (mixed)
Address: 17 D Hồng Hà Street, Ba Đình district, Hà Nội
Zone 17 is an LGBT friendly underground nightclub, art space and live music of Hanoi. The club is pretty famous to hip hop lovers and tourists because it is one of the rare clubs that open from 9 to 5. There is a big dance floor (of course) and a pool table. The drinks are not expensive and the music is exciting. LGBT parties are also held here pretty frequently.
Also, keep an eye on Hanoi Panic group and Hanoi Grapevine LGBT forum to get more information about the LGBT parties or activities in Hanoi.
Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon
Just on the number, we already can see that the venues for LGBT communities in HCMC outnumber those in Hanoi. Many of these are open all night and attract a lot of people from tourists, ex-pats to locals.
No Stress Café (LGBT)
Address: no 4 alleys 245, Nguyen Trai, Nguyen Cu Trinh, District 1, HCMC
No stress café is a proud LGBT venue in Ho Chi Minh city opened by a lesbian. From space’s design to the decoration of food and drinks, you can obviously see the simple LGBT theme with the rainbow inspiration. The location is central, in a quiet alley of HCMC making it a great place to relax. The first floor is full of natural daylight in the daytime and feels homely in the evening. Drinks are pretty varied from typical Vietnamese drinks to some western-styled coffee at reasonable prices. The staff here are very friendly and helpful and all LGBT people.
Top Chicken Bottom Café Bistro (LGBT Friendly)
Address: no 173 De Tham, 2nd floor, Ben Thanh Ward, HCMC
Top Chicken Bottom is an LGBT friendly café bistro with an authentic local café style. The café bistro is located right in the busiest tourist area therefore it’s not hard to find. The café attracts both locals and tourists. The food and drinks here are very good, especially famous for fried chicken with sauces and Vietnamese noodles. Coffee and tea are varied and tasty and cheap.
Papa Café (Gay Friendly)
Address: no 6, B Con Truong Quoc Te street, District 3, HCMC (near Turtle Lake)
Phone: (08) 38 222 944
This two-storey café is very packed on weekends. The first floor becomes a Karaoke bar from 8:00 pm and the second floor is a chill-out lounge with couch seating. The café is definitely for those who love dark places with retro style. However, there will be many smokers there, so this café is not for you if you can’t stand the smoke.
Thi Café Lounge (Gay Friendly)
Address: 224 De Tham Street, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, Dist. 1, HCMC
Phone: +84 8 2210 2929
Opening hours: 10pm-2am
Thi Café Lounge is a rock live music paradise. The live band often starts at 10 pm every night. They also can play for requests. Thi Café Lounge is not large; it’s rather cosy and communicative place. The atmosphere is vibrant and fun with very good music. However, this is a not restaurant but a live music bar so when you order food, they again order from the next door restaurant. The drinks are not very cheap either.
Le PUB (mixed)
Address: 175/22 Pham Ngu Lao Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Le Pub must be the oldest pub, night bar in Ho Chi Minh City with 12 years in operation. Le Pub Hanoi was opened first in 2004 then Le Pub Sai Gon was also opened 2 years later. Both pubs are famous to foreigners in Vietnam for its communicative atmosphere, cool design and many interesting discounts. The pub in Hanoi still sticks with its traditional style while Le Pub in Sai Gon has been renovated a bit by adding a DJ and dance floor making it more like a nightclub. Le Pub is absolutely friendly with LGBT people.
Fiona