Bui Vien is the smaller, less safe street. It is popular with tourists and backpackers<\/strong>.
Nguyen Hue is a broad, paved street. It is the main street where locals spend their evenings. Both streets are located in District 1.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both streets are worth visiting during your stay in Ho Chi Minh City. We will have a look at what to do in both streets, and which one is likely to suit you better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ho Chi Minh Walking Streets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The walking streets of Saigon are a great way to experience the culture of the city. You get a lot of the taste of the city condensed down to a single street, and you don’t even have to watch out for scooters hitting you? Perfect. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While these streets will only give you a tiny taste of what Vietnam has to offer, we think both Bui Vien and Nguyen Hue are both great places to vet your feet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both walking streets offer a large selection of food, drink, and entertainment. Ho Chi Minh Citys walking streets has something for everybody, whether you are a backpacker on a tight budget, an adventurous family on vacation, or a retired couple that finally has the time to see the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let’s discuss both streets individually for a moment so you can get a sense of what they are before we compare them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bui Vien, the Infamous Walking Street<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Bui Vien can be a great way to experience Ho Chi Minh City – if you are a little bit careful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The street is full of Vietnamese street food, massage parlors, bars, cafes, and everything else you could possibly need (or not need).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The walking portion of the street is rather long and narrow. At 850 meters in length, and only 6 meters vide. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It can be quite intense walking down the packed street at night. The staff at the various bars and restaurants (even pharmacies!) will yell at you in an attempt to get your business. It is not rude to just ignore them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But enough of that, now for what a lot of you all have been waiting for, the bars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As Bui Vien is considered the party street in District 1, you can have fun here far into the night. There are a variety of bars and discos to choose from. A few favorites we got recommended by ex-pats and locals are: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ong Cao, Craft Beer<\/strong> is a great open-air bar a little outside the main action of Bui Vien. It is quiet enough that you can have a chat here, or do some people watching from the terrace on the second floor. What draws most people here is the excellent local craft beers that are on tap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Beer 102 Bui Vien<\/strong> is a typical “sit down on the plastic chair in the middle of the madness and enjoy a cheap beer” type of place. It is quite packed and noisy at night, but a great way to experience Bui Vien. The staff here can be a bit pushy here though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n TNR Saigon<\/strong> is popular with ex-pats. Particularly young westerners living in Ho Chi Minh to teach English. This bar is nothing special, but has good prices and stays open long into the night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bui Vien is often considered Saigon’s version of Khao San Road in Bangkok.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But while Khao San Road has been cleaned up and made a lot safer in recent years, the same can not be said for Bui Vien Street. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For many adventurers and locals alike, this street can be a thrilling experience. But there are a few things to watch out for before visiting the infamous walking street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before 2017 the street was quite difficult and dangerous to walk on. Thankfully, for the past three years, motor traffic to Bui Vien has been closed. So walking down the narrow street is now a lot safer than it used to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pickpockets, drunks, women working there, as well as shady men trying to sell you illegal things, is still a presence though. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It is important to watch out for pickpockets in Bui Vien. And since the street always gets PACKED at night, it can be difficult to notice a pickpocket before it is too late. Bringing a backpack and keeping it on your stomach instead of back is a great way to avoid losing your valuables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like we mentioned, you will probably see drunks, dealers, and ladies working in Bui Vien. As it is a pretty seedy place, you can end up meeting some people with bad intentions if you don’t try to be a little careful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are concerned about your safety it is best to not drink more than you can handle. As always, ignoring touts and ladies yelling at you is also a very effective way to stay out of trouble. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The old saying, “give them a finger, and they will take the hand” rings true in Vietnam as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/torsteinr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Skjermbilde-2020-03-05-kl.-12.40.14-1024x347.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBui Vien Streets Bars<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Is Bui Vien Safe?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n