Vietnam is an interesting country, full of intense smells, sights and tastes that excite the senses, the Hanoi nightlife scene is no exception to this rule. With bustling little streets full of thousands of scooters narrowly avoiding each other, amazing street food and some of the cheapest beer in the world, it’s one of our favorite spots to party.
Hanoi has everything for the party addict, world-class nightclubs, hip beer gardens, amazing walking streets full of cheap dive bars, rooftop bars and of course fancy cocktail bars. You’ll find lots of younger backpackers and locals partying here, taking advantage of the cheap alcohol.
The second-largest city after the capital Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi has a cooler temperature as it’s nestled in the hills of the Red River Delta. Either the start or the end of the popular Vietnam backpacker trail which is usually done via motorbike or train between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, it’s long been one of the cheapest and most popular backpacker spots in Southeast Asia.
Because of the influence of its neighboring country Thailand, the amazing nightlife and parties have spilled over here. This guide will help you sort out the best spots to party in Hanoi.
Where to Party in Hanoi
The current metro population of Hanoi is over 5,000,000 people but the city is tightly packed together and doesn’t have much of a sprawl. Most of the places to drink and party are quite close and you should be able to walk to most spots.
Bia Hoi Junction is pretty much known as the Bui Vien Street or Khaosan Road of Hanoi. It became famous for its incredibly cheap beer known as Bia Hoi, considered the cheapest beer in the world at around 7,000 VND ($0.30) per glass. The most popular spot is located at the intersection of Dinh Liet, Ta Hien, and Luong Ngoc Quyen streets where you’ll see locals and tourists drinking, eating and mingling on tiny little plastic chairs.
You’ll find many of the more modern nightclubs, bars, and restaurants popular with locals and expats around West Lake (around the large lake of course), such as Savage, Hero Club, and Zodiac.
Other than that there are nightclubs, karaoke spots, and bars scattered all over Old Quarter and south towards the Historical Center, surrounding here you’ll find many bars and clubs targeting the rich Vietnamese. There is also the Night Market at the Old Quarter which happens every Friday to Sunday if you’re looking for cheap gifts and souvenirs.
Hanoi Nightlife & Safety Tips
Vietnam is a very safe country, although it’s notorious for having a lot of scams, from taxi drivers taking you to the wrong spot on purpose to shoe shine scams and pick-pockets. If you’re aware of this then you should be fine. Don’t talk to strangers that approach you, and use Grab taxis where available.
– Don’t walk with your phone out anywhere in Vietnam, scooters are notorious for driving by unsuspecting victims and grabbing phones right out of their hands!
– Do not drink the tap water anywhere in Vietnam!
– Be cautious when crossing the roads. Let the bikes maneuver around you (they are very skilled) and don’t run or make any sudden movements. Accidents do happen quite often, so be wary.
How Expensive is it to Party in Hanoi
As stated before, if you’re sticking to the Old Quarter and just going to drink Bia Hoi (when it’s available) you can expect to pay 7,000 VND ($0.30) per glass! If it’s not available and you prefer bottled beer such as Bia Hanoi, Tiger, or 333 you can expect to pay as low as 20,000 for a bottle.
If you’re planning on going out to fancy nightclubs, you can still get beer relatively cheap in comparison to other cities in the world, but cocktails will be a little more expensive at around 200,000 VND on average.
Here is a basic overview of what you can expect to pay to enjoy the Hanoi nightlife scene:
Bottle of beer: 7,000-100,000 VND ($0.30 – $4.00 USD)
Big beer: 40,000-150,000 VND ($1.60 – $6.00 USD)
Cocktail: 70,000-300,000 VND ($3.00 – $13.00 USD)
Hanoi Pub Crawl
The Hanoi Pub Crawl is the perfect way to dive into the city’s unforgettable nightlife with ease. Beginning in the Old Quarter, it kicks off with free beer for early arrivals and then takes you through four lively bars and one nightclub. Along the way, you’ll score free shots at every stop, enjoy great drink deals, and skip the line with VIP entry into the final club. With a lively crowd and plenty of games to keep the energy high, it’s an ideal way to meet fellow travelers and experience Hanoi after dark.
Best Bars in Hanoi
Binh Minh Jazz Club
If more of a chilled night out is what you prefer, then you should head to Polite & Co. in the historical French Quarter of Hanoi. Every night from 9:00 to 11:30 PM they feature some of the best Jazz players from all over the country, including the legendary Binh Minh of course.
Polite & Co
Just to the west of Hoàn Kiếm Lake in the Old Quarter you’ll find this 1920’s-inspired gentleman’s club and speakeasy specializing in amazing cocktails and whiskey. With Charlie Chaplin playing on the TV, the dark, ambient lighting, and locals smoking in the corner, it really transports you back in time to the 20’s.
Local Bar
Located on the Bia Hoi street corner, this may be one of the first spots you start drinking in Hanoi if it’s your first time here. Just witnessing the hustle and bustle of the busy intersection while sitting on a tiny plastic chair really sums up the Hanoi nightlife perfectly. There is a DJ and dancefloor inside the bar playing Top 40 and EDM hits.
Factory 47
Factory 47 is a popular Hanoi nightlife spot with good music (sometimes techno) and somewhat of a hipster vibe. The place is more popular with locals than foreigners, even though it’s located in the Old Quarter of Hanoi. Drinks are a little pricey here, but the atmosphere and music are worth it.
The 100 Garden
One of the many open-air beer gardens scattered throughout Hanoi and Vietnam, the 100 Garden is a great spot to pre-drink with friends, especially if you enjoy craft beer from local breweries as well as those from all over the world.
The garden is located in the West Lake district, and it regularly hosts food festivals as well. The place is usually open until midnight and often has live music.
Standing Bar
One of the most popular bars in the West Lake district of Hanoi, Standing Bar features an outdoor terrace with views of the lake as well as an indoor two-story bar. They have live music and stand-up comedy on some nights.
The place is also popular among craft beer enthusiasts. The name most likely comes from patrons standing outside of the bar on the street drinking.
The Blues Bar
Another popular bar on beer street (as if there aren’t enough) The Blues Bar starts off as a regular bar and turns into almost a nightclub later on at night with people dancing and mingling, typically open until 3 am.
We prefer to sit outside so you can enjoy the shenanigans that happen on the Bia Hoi junction and make your way in later if you fancy dancing to some live music or DJ’s.
The Republic
The Republic is a popular ex-pat sports bar in West Lake, owned by an Aussie. If you crave western food and a western pub-like experience while watching your favorite sports, this is the spot for you. The pub & restaurant has fantastic views of West Lake and a great selection of cocktails and beers. The place is most popular on Sundays. Closes around midnight.
Unicorn Pub
One of the cheapest and best cocktail dive bars in perhaps all of Vietnam, The Unicorn Pub has expert mixologists that know what they’re doing, and the incredible prices will surprise you! They regularly host events such as Halloween or Christmas night. One of the best Hanoi nightlife spots to start the night.
Best Night Clubs in Hanoi
Hero Club
Perhaps one of the best and most popular nightclubs in the city, if you’re after amazing Hanoi nightlife then definitely don’t miss this happening spot! Located in the hip West Lake district, Hero club is spread out over two floors, popular with locals and foreigners alike.
1900 Le Théâtre
Located in the Old Quarter around Bia Hoi junction, 1900 Le Théâtre is the most popular nightclub in the area. It’s a modern venue with live music and international DJ’s playing EDM later on. Great spot to meet new friends. Cover is normally 200,000 per person.
Savage Club
Heading back to West Lake district, Savage is a newer nightclub and lounge that plays primarily techno and non-commercial music. The place opens very late and can be quite expensive compared to other clubs in Hanoi. The cover is 200,000 per person.
Hanoi Nightlife Summary
If you came to this city not expecting much from the nightlife, you’ll be amazed at the Hanoi nightlife scene, especially in the Old Quarter and West Lake districts. With tons of beer gardens, dive bars, nightclubs, speakeasies, and the cheapest beer on the planet, how could you expect anything less than Hanoi being an amazing nightlife & party scene?
