Bui Vien Walking Street

Bui Vien Walking Street (Vietnamese: phố đi bộ Bùi Viện), a nightlife tourist attraction in Ho Chi Minh City, is an ideal venue for foreign guests and young Vietnamese to come to hang out, especially on weekends and holidays. This tourist area offers many exciting activities and plenty of affordable food to try.

Overview of Bui Vien Walking Street

Bui Vien Street is one of the main roads of the backpacker area. The area consists of four streets: De Tham, Do Quang Dau, Pham Ngu Lao, Bui Vien, and a few small interconnected alleys. This area is frequented by locals and tourists who flock to its markets to buy cheap clothes, souvenirs, and war memorabilia…

There are also many bars, cafes, guesthouses, mini-hotels, and tourist agencies here, all at affordable prices. And Bui Vien is one of the most crowded ones. Not only Vietnamese; foreigners often come to Bùi Viện to sip beer, chat with friends, and enjoy the atmosphere of Saigon at night.

On 20th August 2017, Bui Vien Street officially became a pedestrian street. The street operates from 19:00 to 4 a.m. the next day on weekends; traffic will be banned, and management units will set up a ban board at the beginning of the De Tham – Bui Vien and Bui Vien – Do Quang Dau roads.

This is the second walking street in Ho Chi Minh City, after Nguyen Hue walking street.

Things to do in Bui Vien Walking Street Area

If you want to spend a night with Saigon, go to Bui Vien Walking Street after 19 pm when the streets light up. The atmosphere becomes bustling, crowded with tourists. Especially on the weekends, there are many different art activities right on the streets. Furthermore, you can find a lot of delicious dishes at food stalls right on the pavements.

Try local food

There is an extensive range of restaurants and food stalls in Bui Vien Street. It will cost you around VND 100-200.000 (US$  4-8) for a decent filling meal with beverages.

The options range from Vietnamese, Indian, and Italian to Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Western cuisines. Besides this, there are many street vendors offering grilled chicken, pork, beef, and even seafood, which are ubiquitous on Bui Vien Street.

However, the majority come here to gather with friends and enjoy a cool beer. Their stories seem endless, which makes this street earn the name “never sleeps” in Ho Chi Minh.

Bars & pubs in Bui Vien

A series of unique and exciting pubs & bars, designed to reflect Western characteristics, stretches along the street. Some bars in prime locations offer a breathtaking panoramic view of the area.

Besides highly trained DJs, teams, and professional bartenders, the waiting staff here are very friendly, enthusiastic, and good at English…willing to serve international visitors.

Massage service

Visitors can find spas or salons for relaxation after a long tiring day, some of which are not quite affordable, so for first-time tourists, it is necessary to ask about prices in advance.

There are a number of types of massage offered, including foot, back, and full-body massages, as well as manicures.

Coffee in Bui Vien

Besides bustling bars and noisy pubs, Bui Vien hosts both branded coffee chains and local specialty coffee boutiques. They are not only located on the main site but also nestled in an empty, tumultuous alley, waiting to be explored.

Each spot offers you a distinct opportunity to find a secluded place to enjoy solitude, quietly listen to the soft sounds of Saigon, or simply read a book.

Cultural performances and major events

Not only is it a place to organize traditional Vietnamese music performances on weekends, but Bui Vien is also a place for cultural trends and performances imported from many regions around the world, typically Halloween costumes, Valentine’s Day…

In addition, during major holidays and events on April 30 and May 1, September 2, and New Year’s Day, this road attracts many tourists. You can enjoy a sip while watching fireworks from this street. 

Some notes when visiting Bui Vien Walking Street

• Never leave your valuable items, such as mobile phones, wallets, and cameras, unattended.
• Ask the price before buying from vendors, especially hawkers.

Source: collected by An

Follow us for the best deals on Vietnam package tours and visa services!