Saigon (called Ho Chi Minh City when written, Saigon when spoken by the locals) is broad and breezy, tropical and easy-going, with just the right balance of urbanity and grittiness. The population of metropolitan Ho Chi Minh City is nearing 10 million (400,000 of whom are Utopians).

The European-flavored heart of the city stretches from the river to the Opera House along Dong Khoi St, lined with 5-star hotels, trendy coffee shops and fine dining. Many clubs that are popular with gays are also located in District 1, just a short hop, skip or taxi jump from one another other.

The downtown section of District 1 is easy to navigate using our Utopia map:

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Click here for Saigon hotels and accommodations.

Click here for Saigon bars and clubs.

Click here for Saigon discos.

• Nha Van Hoa Lao Dong (Workers' Club)
  55B Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St (see map), Dist 1. The Workers Club is a huge site that has indoor and outdoor sport facilities including tennis, volleyball, table tennis, gym, basketball and a dance school for show dance. Thousands of people use the facilities. At the back of the premises is the swimming pool. Gym, pool, saunas can be very cruisy. Bring your own towel and swimwear or buy it at the shop on the right side of the entrance. First you'll find yourself in the shower rooms. At the end of the hall is the storage area. Plastic bags are sold to wrap your clothes and belongings in. Open daily. No English spoken.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "Tickets are no longer by the hour. Now you can buy entry for the whole day. But lately they are only open early in the morning from 6-9am, then they close and reopen from 4-7pm." -- Albert, Sep 1, 2011

  "Happening in the showers. Best to hook up and leave to have some fun elsewhere." -- lochie, May 13, 2011

  Comments from Utopians:

  "No action at Get Fit Gym when I was there. The sauna was way too hot, so guys did not stay in there for long." -- lochie, May 13, 2011

  "Check GetFit Gym on the 3/F of H3 Building in Dist 4. There's fun to be had in the showers and sauna." -- prnzardoz, Apr 16, 2011

Click here for Saigon karaoke.

Click here for Saigon massage and spas for men.

• Nguyen Tri Phuong swimming pool
  Dist 10. Fun changing room. The best time is 4-6pm.
• Phu Tho Sports Club
  211 Ly Thuong Kiet St, Dist 10. Next to the Phu Tho Indoor Stadium.
• VinCom Plaza
  It looks small outside, but has a large underground area. Faciltities on the lowest floors can be active.
• Vuon Lai cinema
  Corner of Tran Nhan Ton St and Vinh Vien St, Dist 10. Very cruisy and busy on weekends. People walking up and down the aisles in the dark looking for fun. Be careful of pickpockets, do not bring anything valuable here.

DISTRICT 1
• 343 Café (coffee and snacks)
  343 Nguyen Trai, Dist 1, 920-0988, 920-0998. Outdoor area with a fountain, air-conditioned inside on two levels. TVs and video screens everywhere show music videos, movies, or sports. Menu in Vietnamese and English. Popular with gays, but the crowd is mostly young and straight. Open daily from 8am-11pm.
• Café Terrace
  1/F Saigon Center, Le Loi St at the intersection with Pasteur St (see map), Dist 1. This coffee shop is popular with gays, especially those out to spot foreigners getting off work in the neighborhood (or maybe they just feel right at home in the OTT decor scheme). Indoor and terrace seating. Coffee, drinks, snacks and desserts. We spotted a gay Vietnamese celebrity singer on our tea time visit.
• Nam Giao (Vietnamese)
  136/15 Le Than Ton, Dist 1, 825-0261. This popular, shady, fan-cooled restaurant is behind and a block away from Ben Thanh Market, tucked down a covered alleyway. The simple photo menu offers a limited selection of excellent local specialties. The "Special Clam with Rice" turned out to have incredible, alien mouth feel -- fresh and clean, not really seafoody, with the texture of organic packing material comprised of banana flower, peanuts, shreaded rice cake, mint leaves, pork cracklings and baby clams. They'll also place a towering plate of banana-leaf-packaged mystery items in various geometric shapes which you may sample if you wish. The rectagular ones are Vietnamese wedding cakes made from coconut and rice gelatin. Avoid the others -- raw meat sausages -- unless you have a strong stomach. On our visit, half the customers (and some of the staff) tripped our gaydar.
• Papa (coffee shop)
  Located near Reunification Palace in Dist 1. Reported to be a good gay meeting place. Drink prices are cheap. There are only waiters (mostly young, gay and cute). The best time to go is weekends and Mon evening.

  
  DISTRICT 3

  Comments from Utopians:

  "Phuong Cac Café is no longer the place where gays go for coffee on Sun mornings. It has been replaced by Windows 3 (unless there are other cafés as well). I've spend many happy Sundays over the years at Phuong Cac Café, but time has moved on and so has Saigon's gay crowd." -- Steve T., Dec 19, 2011

  
  DISTRICT 10

• Lang Café
  573/12 Su Van Hanh St, Ward 13, Dist 10, Utopia Map, 3868-0999, email. Café and restaurant distinctly designed for gay men's relaxation. Gay-owned and managed. Extensive outside terrace area and indoor dining. Unwind in hectic Saigon. Have a fabulous breakfast, lunch, or dinner and drinks with friends or make new friends. Menu ranges from regional specialties to traditional Vietnamese cuisine with daily specials and choice deserts and cocktails, coffees, tea, ice-blends, smoothies, and ice cream. Romantic decor, expansive menu, fine china, and excellent service from their charming, well-trained and handsome staff. Free Wi-Fi, video and relaxing room with wide-screen TV and cushy lounge chairs. Check out the cute dudes in the area. Open daily from 7am-11pm. Utopia Member Discount

  
  OTHER AREAS

Click here for Saigon saunas for men.