Dark and smoky, this live jazz bar is unique in Ho Chi Minh – somewhere to listen to contemporary jazz with subtle Vietnamese influences thanks to the talented owner who plays several traditional instruments on stage. Sax n‘ Art is more expensive than most bars in the city, and some people are put off by the $5 entry free added to their first drink, but that is the price you must pay to listen to Vietnam’s best jazz band in a compact and personal space. The house band weaves between jazz standards and into some more avant-garde compositions, and many touring musicians have been known to frequent the club owned by Vietnam’s foremost jazz saxophone player. This bar is easy to find on Le Loi, not far from Ben Thanh Market, with live music every night of the week. Opening Hours: 19:00 – 24:00 (live music from 21:00) Address: 28 Le Loi, District 1 Tel: +84 (0) 28 3822 8472

Opening Hours: 19:00 – 24:00 (Live music from 21:00) Address: 22A Nguyen Thi Dieu, District 3 Tel: +84 (0) 28 3933 0577 A short moto-taxi out from Ho Chi Minh’s tourist centre, Yoko Bar plays host to an assortment of bands playing rock and acoustic jazz pop in a smallish bar with a unique ‘lived in’ style. This is a true live music bar so there are bands playing every night of the week with a regular crowd of Ho Chi Minh scenesters and expats. Expect to hear some classic rock tunes along with some singer/songwriter type songs – and if the feeling grabs you, you are free to go up and sing with the band! There are plenty of comfy sofas and a small upstairs space with a great view of the performers. Yoko Bar is an authentic Ho Chi Minh venue that doesn’t rely on tourism so it’s the perfect place to sit back with a beer or cocktail and see how the cool kids have fun.  

Opening Hours: 19:00 – 02:00 (live music from 21:00) Address: 103A Pham Ngu Lao Street, District 1 Tel: +84 (0) 28 3914 0007 Picture this: a Filipino band line dancing in Stetson hats and cowboy boots in a wooden, saloon type bar in Ho Chi Minh City. Sound interesting? Then you have to check out Seventeen Saloon: a two storey live music hall with rock and roll on both floors and a mostly Vietnamese crowd. Bands play all night at top volume so this isn’t the best place for quiet chat but if you’re in the mood for some U2, Bon Jovi and other heavy rock standards then this corner bar across the park from the famous New World skyscraper will give you an amazingly fun – if not slightly surreal – night out. This is an easygoing bar where waitresses are dressed up in sexy country and western garb and the bands play late into the night. Its location halfway between the backpacker part of town and the central tourist area means the foreigners who do make it here are always an eclectic...