AIDS/HIV ACCOMMODATION ASIAN NEWS ARCHIVE  SAFER SEX TRAVEL TIPS   HOTLIST MESSAGE CENTER POSTCARDS EMAIL US A-SHOP ASIAN TRAVEL GALLERY MEMBERSHIP TRAVEL GUIDES WOMEN'S SPACE  Promote your business with Utopia

Australia Bhutan China Cambodia East Timor India Indonesia Japan Korea Laos Malaysia Mongolia Myanmar Nepal Philippines Singapore Sri Lanka Taiwan Thailand Vietnam

A poem by Vietnam's preeminent gay poet of the 20th century, Xuan Dieu translated by Huynh Sanh Thong A Fool in Love You suffer as you stray and lose your heart, adore the wrong one, and misplace your love. Your gold you lavish where it goes to waste; you suffer as you beg where one won't give. It seems so smooth, the road - who will beware? When you come to, the thorn has stung your bone. You lax the reins and let your heart run loose -- you suffer as you can't turn back again. You peer in shallow eyes, discover depths; you fancy riches stored in vacuous hearts. Forever you'll pursue sheer mists or clouds, intent on finding heaven here on earth. You suffer, squeezing through a narrow gate -- the door's shut tight, so harder you will pounce. When stabbed and injured, you will keep the knife and won't be healed of your delicious wound. -- Xuan Dieu, Sending Fragrance to the Wind

Vietnam has become a favorite destination for travelers to Southeast Asia. Picturesque, vibrant and youthful, it offers magnificent natural wonders, gorgeous beaches, ancient city lanes, addictive cuisine and a paradise of shopping bargains.

Vietnam is splashed with color, from verdant rice fields, hot pink lanterns and day-glo boutiques, to the increasing visibility of gays and lesbians adding their own special hues to Vietnam’s rainbow.

Vietnam is a place to have fun, but also a place to use your common sense since the gay world here is still largely in the shadows and, as a result, some prey on the vulnerability of gay tourists (see words of caution from Utopians in the coming pages).

Never-the-less, no one should miss a chance to encounter the amazingly friendly Vietnamese, to learn about their rich culture and enjoy their warm hospitality!

• The legality of homosexuality in Vietnam: a posting from the VN-GBLF E-mail forum (see info below on joining this forum).
• Lesbian listings
• Men in Vietnam message forum
• Travel in Vietnam message forum
• Vietnam Gay & Lesbian News
• Vietnam Gay Scene Updates message forum
• Vietnamese terms for homosexuality: a posting from the VN-GBLF E-mail forum.
• Additional links for Vietnam GLBT information.

• A World Without Women (Vietnam's first gay-themed novel).
• Gay Vietnam (Saigon, Hoi An and Hue): Crouching Love, Hidden Passion is a fascinating article by Richard Ammon at GlobalGayz.com

• Vietnam AIDS/HIV organizations and information

Bhaya Cruises Hanoi Sales Office: 47 Phan Chu Trinh St, +84-4-3944-6777, FAX +84-4-3944-6776, email. Halong Bay is a legendary world just waiting to be explored. Gay-friendly Bhaya Cruises combines Asian style with contemporary luxury. Together they are the perfect recipe for an enchanting and relaxing holiday. In 1917, Emperor Khai Dinh plied the waters of the bay in a wonderful wooden junk. Almost a century later you too can embark on a voyage through time ­ in a ship recreated from the original designs and with impeccable service fit for a king. Reside in one of 40 luxurious cabins or suites, wine and dine in style and enjoy a relaxing ­ or exhilarating ­ array of onboard activities. Refresh mind, body and spirit. Utopia Member Discount

• Flamingo Vietnam
  5/21 Quoc Tu Giam St, +84-4-2218-8820, FAX +84-4-3732-5735, email. Gay-owned Flamingo Vietnam designs vacation for gay travelers who want to explore Vietnam's vibrant cultures, history and contemporary life. They offer distinctive travel programs with top-notch, private, English-speaking guides. Try their exclusive, private gay cruise on Halong Bay with a private party at a gay beach. Travelers seeking wellness and beauty holidays or adventure and activities are also welcome. Packages are flexibile for a highly customized experience that might include scuba diving, river cruises, elephant riding, cuisine and cooking classes, beach resort and shopping. Utopia Member Discount

  Gay Travel OUT Adventures Email. Award-winning Gay Travel OUT Adventures specializes in gay and lesbian tours in Vietnam and around the world. Unlike many gay operators, they use local group leaders, stay in small locally-owned hotels and dine at small local restaurants, ensuring you have a truly authentic travel experience. Choose from active, mid-range, luxury or independent trips.

• RainbowTourism
  147 Nguyen Van Cu St, Hanoi, +849-0328-6504, FAX +844-3878-7695, email. Gay-owned travel service. Travel arranged in Vietnam and Asia.
• LVP Travel Group
  No. 09, 123 Gate, Trung Kinh, Hanoi, 04-6684-5447, email. Gay and lesbian-friendly travel focus in northern Vietnam. Trip arrangements at the beaches, in Ha Long Bay, Da Nang, Hoi An and more. Based in Vietnam, they offer full support along the way, from custom sightseeing trips, to tickets to the theater, to help with the dinner menu - they are your personal Vietnamese concierge. Utopia Member Discount

Can Tho

The population of Can Tho is over a million (that's more than 40,000 Utopians).

• Disco at the Hotel Gulf. Gay men go here.

---

Dalat

• Chez Moi Disco (mixed)
  Chez Moi (near Xuan Huong Lake). Young crowd with plenty of gays on Sat nights.

---

Danang

Comments from Utopians:

"I was at Golden Pine Pub last week, 52 Bach Dang St, not exactly by the river, but across the road. Decent food and reasonably priced beer. Saw some gay couples there. Friendly and nice place to enjoy the view with someone." -- pratt, Dec 28, 2011

"Had a fun day in Danang yesterday...small roadside café - Den Long 19, 21 Quang Trung - lots of eye contact. Then blind massage in the city...many to choose from at D$80,000+ (better to give tip direct to masseur)...then BC Supermarket shopping mall...wanted to take some of the staff from the clothes shops home (quite possible I think!)...then the beach at T20 Beach Danang...I didn't want to leave - hot bodies everywhere! Many connections...great day!" -- deano, Jul 9, 2011

---

Haiphong

Population is a half million (that's 20,000 Utopians).

Click here for Haiphong hotels and accommodations.

---

HANOI

Click here for Hanoi listings.

---

HO CHI MINH CITY - SAIGON -- area code (84-8)

Click here for Ho Chi Minh City - Saigon listings.

---

Hoi An

• Son Hoian Restaurant (Vietnamese)
  177 Cua Dai, Cam Chau, 989-501-400, email. Gay-managed chill-out ambience with waterfront seating. Simple, elegant comtemporary interior design and decor. Many delicious and authentic Vietnamese cuisine prepared following "slow food" practice. Jazz music collection and the very friendly staff make you feel quite at your home. Utopia Member Discount

• Chic Couture
  698 Hai ba trung St, (84-510)386-4110, email. Gay-friendly tailor shop making all kind of clothes for men and women. Open 8am until 9pm. Utopia Member Discount
• Ken Tailor
  11 Nguyen Thai Hoc, 090-511-7788, email. Gay and lesbian-friendly tailor. Make to measure clothes with 16 years experience. Everyone is welcome at their shop. Utopia Member Discount
• Sung Antique Shop
  Nguyen Thai Hoc St, Inside Hoi An ancient town.

---

Nha Trang

• 3K Tourist Service Office
  3K Hung Vuong St, 090-509-7272, (058) 352-7008, email.

• Sailing Club (mixed)
  There is no 100% gay club in Nha Trang yet. Most bars and pubs are along the intersection between Tran Phu St (seaside main road) and Tran Quang Khai, and Nguyen Thien Thuat. You can get cheap drink with flyers and during happy hours. After 11pm, people hang out at Sailing Club. This is the only club on the seaside open till 2am. It is straight club, but, as usual, you will detect a gay corner.

---

Phan Thiet

Click here for Phan Thiet hotels and accommodations.

• Vagabond
  120C Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Ham Tien Dist. The very first gay-friendly bar to open here. It's on the beach. They have a live DJ every night. Owned by former manager/DJ of Wax Club. Great music and friendly.

---

Phu Quoc Island

Click here for Phu Quoc hotels and accommodations.

• Buddy Ice Cream & Info Café
  26 Nguyen Trai St, Duong Dong, +84 077 399-4181, email. Gay-friendly and established in 2005 with the aim of providing all visitors with impartial tourist information as well as fantastic New Zealand ice cream products, smoothies, shakes, juices, cakes and various snacks. Free Wi-Fi, free Phu Quoc Island and town maps. Utopia Member Discount

• Toan Cau
  Email. Internet café with helpful owner.

---

Sapa

Click here for Sapa hotels and accommodations.

---

Tam Hai / Tam Ky

Click here for Tam Hai / Tam Ky hotels and accommodations.

---

Vung Tau

• Blue Moon
  Behind the Grand Hotel on Ha Long St. A regular hangout for gays and lesbians.
• Vitamin C (mixed)
  Located at the corner of Nguyen Truong To and Hoang Hoa Tham St, Ward 3. Mixed, but a number of gays go here. Good crowd gathers after Blue Moon closes.

• Club 7
  At the end of Quang Trung St (near former post office, on the way from Front Beach to Back Beach). A nice place to go after 8pm. Popular with gays. No entry fee, but drinks are a must.

• Beach O Quan
  A small, secluded beach located between Back Beach (Bai Sau) and Strawberry Beach (Bai Dau), right underneath the Jesus statue. At low tide some hot activities can occur between the rocks. Some nude sunbathing.
• Dolphin Swimming Pool facing the sea on the one side and the Sammy Hotel on the other side. Check out the shower cabins in the basement.
• Promenade on Quang Trung St. Gays cruise here after 11pm.

---