Apocalypse Now is one of the oldest nightclubs in Saigon dating back to the days when American soldiers where stationed in Saigon. This is a very foreigner orientated bar but you’ll still get a good mix of tourists, expats and locals dancing the night away to thumping dance, techno and pop tunes. Beware when heading back to your hotel by taxi though. Many of these taxi drivers have “fast meters” installed and will regularly rip off the unwary tourist. You’re better off walking around the corner and grabbing one of the yellow Vinataxi or white Vinasun taxis.
Features & Services
Food served (Some hot food but mainly bar snacks)
Pool tables
Operating Hours
8:00pm until 12:00-2:00am 7 days a week
Address
Apocalypse Now
2C Thi Sach Street
District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Contact Details
Telephone: +84 (0) 8 825 6124
Entries (RSS)
September 25th, 2007 at 5:29 am
Foreigner friendly if you like aggressive locals, dirty whores and over-priced drinks. Don’t go there. Trust me. And it does not go back to the “war days”, although it is around 18 yrs old.
October 22nd, 2007 at 12:04 pm
This is where the expat, shabu-pat and kitty-kat all meet to see who is cool… and who is a fool! STAY AWAY
February 17th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Aggressive dirty whores, stay away. A lot of old Europeans make this their nest.
July 12th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Apocalypse Now?
Why would you go there when your skin color let you in or not? Cover charge is free for white skins and…. 150,000VND for locals! Stay away from that expensive and very old expats place! Come on, Saigon doesn’t only have Apocalypse Now! There is a lot of cool places around.
September 10th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
This sad club is overcrowded and discriminates against its own people, the Vietnamese. Reportedly, it is operated and owned by Vietnamese American(s). How pathetic and un-American to discriminate against their own people. I was furious to see white foreigners with their whores walk right in without having to pay for cover charge while I was demanded to pay 150000 VND (~ 9 USD).
So, if one has any respect for human rights, equality, and decency, one should boycott this club. I am actually looking for any witness to this blatant discrimination to file a complaint against these Vietnamese Americans with the ACLU in the USA. I firmly believe that these people break the oath to uphold the US Constitution.
Shame on those expats who support the existence of such discriminatory practice of Apocalypse Now!!! Where is the pride?
October 18th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Looking for a clean bar with a lot of atmosphere. Looks like this one is turning into a place for one quick beer just to visit. I think we will try some of the newer places. I appreciate your comments section. I live in Thailand, looking forward to the Vietnam experience.
November 5th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
Apocalypse Now is one of the oldest nightclubs in Saigon dating back to the days when American soldiers where stationed in Saigon.
NOT!!
It opened in the early 1990s.
I was in Saigon in 1970 when it was not and in 1992 when the A had just opened.
December 14th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Went there last night. At first I was pleasantly surprised by the number of nice looking ladies, but then it occurred to me that they might be “working girls”. I get my share of smiles from the ladies, especially in VN where the locals are more relaxed, but some of the ladies at Apo were *really* trying to make eye-contact.
Let me qualify that by saying that the night before last, I went to a (almost) locals only club (except for me and maybe 3 others) that was recommended by my hotel guy. Don’t know the name, but it’s at the west end of Bui Vien, turn right, about 1/2 block up. Beautiful local guys and gals, but be prepared for deafeningly loud music. I think I lost a couple frequencies of hearing from my time there. I got a few smiles there, too. Nice place, but not really my thing – I was actually looking for a ‘locals’ bar, not a club. Kinda pricey, too.
January 29th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
I have been there for last 4 weeks. There was a sign at the reception saying that entry ticket is 150,000 dong and I noticed that nobody actually bought any ticket (maybe they have changed due to complaints). In general, it’s a foreigner friendly bar and is crowded, which I like. The drink is quite expensive (1 bottle of Corona is 90,000 dong) but, as far as I know, drinks in all good bars in Saigon are very expensive. If you are after gay friendly bars or after hot chics, then this is the good one.
March 16th, 2009 at 5:07 am
Prostitutes, gays, discriminates against Vietnamese people.
Expensive ticket…….
Music is so so, some is so classic just like ages ago!
Always so crowded, my last decision if no places to go anymore!
March 25th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Apocalypse Now was FUN, except for the drunk, fat white girls who push everybody out of the way, just because they don’t get any attention. Only white women behave like this is Asia. Never had a Asian gal push me out of the way.
Good music, drinks are a bit expensive, yes, but sill had a good time.
April 16th, 2009 at 6:12 am
Yes there are many “working girls” that frequent the place. If that bothers you, don’t go. If you want a western oriented place, it’s ok. As far as discriminating against their own – there is a reason. Because of the working girls and the generally lax moral atmosphere there, the government has a watchful eye on the place and has threatened to close it several times. This place has a noticeable contingent of stern looking guards inside and out. The reason is mostly not for the misbehaving Westerners but for the misbehaving Vietnamese. The feeling is that if a Vietnamese gets into trouble the government might just shut them down. Whereas there is a much more blind eye towards foreigners. If you are in the area it could be worth a visit unless you are on a tight budgeted cultural tour. A polite “no thank you” to the girls always worked for me. By the way, Korea has its “international bars” (meaning no Koreans) and Japan has its Japanese only establishments.
April 21st, 2009 at 11:44 am
is a place SOSO but be attention inside are much girls steal !!!!!!
July 30th, 2009 at 2:39 am
Wow what negative reports. Have been 5 yars agon in HCM, but I felt also the place is too commercialised now. Where is the ‘betterpalce’ to go now ? Greez Andy – European but frequent in Asia
August 16th, 2009 at 10:52 pm
This place is certainly not worth visiting at all. No atmosphere or decor. Music too loud you could not talk to a decent girl if you wanted too. The doormen are very friendly and are very willing to give tips on where else to go in town. Girls here are arrogant and expensive as are the drinks. Gestapo type security guards everywhere watching everyone. Not worth the trip. Plenty more places to visit.
August 19th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Its good place with good Drink: Long island ice tea….But many work girls…
September 21st, 2009 at 7:22 am
i am going to vietnam in october, would it be a nice and safe place speciallly at nightlife….
are the girls/boys trustworthy?
September 21st, 2009 at 3:22 pm
if they ask moneys to go into the door, fuck it….. why pay to enter the door?
September 26th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
why should we come to a place where it againts to it own people? you can come in and pay or not depend on your skin color?? it is not the only one to go to isnt it?
September 30th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
I took a cab there last night, about 2.00 American from hotel. Escorted right in. A male server got me a table and waited on me hand over foot. Very friendly, good fast music, beautiful women. I had 5 beers, two games of pool, bought 2 T-Shirts and talked to beautiful women all for 30.00 US. The Gestapo security is there to Protect You. Be careful coming out of the club. About 50 taxis trying to get your business along with whores.
October 30th, 2009 at 1:26 am
Living there since 6 month, and “Apo” is still my favorite place…
Don’t go in this club if you don’t like music and girl… and crowded… sorry but i like “apo” for that!
November 1st, 2009 at 1:02 am
It used to be a great place with a good mix. Always interesting. Yes, a large expat community hangs out there. I went every weekend for years but after seeing too many dirty, unfair fights I have decided to go else where.
Trust me I know many of the staff and they are there to protect the clubs interests only. Saigon is one of the safest places I know for tourists but stay clear of that place unless you like that sort of thing.
November 7th, 2009 at 2:06 am
Everyone seems to be slagging this place off…could someone some good clubs to go to in Saigon???
thanks!!!
November 12th, 2009 at 11:29 pm
Good place where foreigners meet and drunk and go home with each other. Locals go there too and friendly place. Quite a few pros there though. Me and my mate picked thought we picked up these two hot chicks and started grinding them they even gave us drinks till they told me they were hookers! Then when we backed off they wanted us to pay em for the drinks we had and for their time. When we refused they said they would get security involved and hassled us for at least a drink cos we weren’t gonna pay em. They eventually gave up as we went upstairs. Picked up some local chicks afterwards… They love grinding!!!
November 20th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
Good venue but spoiled by lousy management and some lousy Yanks and foreigners…
I walked in free of charge as an Asian expat but my Vietnamese colleagues (2 gals and 2 guys) got to pay the cover charge – bloody discriminating…
Nonetheless, paid for my Vietnamese colleagues and went in. Got a table at the outdoors and was preparing to enjoy the evening with some hard liquor only to see 2 bloody Yanks trying to pick on my female Vietnamese Chinese colleague inspite of the presence of us guys around the table. She rejected and ignored them only for the Yanks to make racist slurs towards my male Vietnamese staff. To avoid trouble, I have to move our table to another at a corner. But seriously, if these 2 Yanks do this in Singapore, I’ll bloody make them pay for their racist comments… =(
November 20th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
Mark: try out America at Windsor Hotel down in District 5 or if your cup of tea is to sit back and listen to some live bands, 17 Saloon at 103A Pham Ngu Lao St in District 1 isn’t too bad… =)
December 6th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
This bar is great.. but you must realise that the beautiful girls that greet you actually have to pay the management $25US if they take a western man out of the place.
That is why the girls always start asking you for $100.
You can get them down to $70 and you must then pay for a hotel room. It makes for an expensive night.
I feel so terribly sorry for the girls. i chatted to many of them. they don’t tell their folks that they are classy prostitutes.
They find that this work style is too good financially not to do. They can earn 10 times more here a month than working any where else.
They are happy if they can take a man out a few times a week.
They are very beautiful. Most are very sweet girls. They love their families and help them out. they sacrifice themselves to stop their families from suffering the dredful poverty
December 11th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
i agree with the guy who complained about fat white women being rude..GOD if you look like that !!!!! what they are doing here who knows they should be farming potatoes in Iowa
December 12th, 2009 at 4:06 am
I’ve been there several times and I really like it. I strongly recommend!
December 21st, 2009 at 7:19 pm
I must agree with you guys, once I got the tip to go there and couldn’t believe anyone enjoy it there. The point for the whores is definitely right. To have a drink ok but its definitely no nice area. Much nicer clubs are all over Ho Chi Minh City.
Cheers
Karl
December 30th, 2009 at 11:35 pm
Plain and simple it’s a place to pick up whores. If you are into that, go there. If not, run fast in the opposite direction.
January 24th, 2010 at 3:21 pm
I’ve lived in VN for 15 years, am a 40 yo straight guy and have these comments.
1. They have to charge locals a cover or the place would be overun. VK and local guys have plently of places to go for free so accept it.
2. This is a place for tourists and newby guys that cannot speak VN and don’t know their way around. It is what it is, pay for play, like shooting fish in a barrell but it serves it’s purpose.
3. I love to hear these morons write nonesense like they know what they are talking about, i.e. its not owned by a VK its owned and always has been by a local. Any woman that tells you she has to pay 25 to the owner if she goes with a white guy is either pulling your dumb ass chain or you just have Asian short dick syndrom and don’t like to see Vns girls go with white guys so you have to make up that story.
3. The girls there are B team at best, bottom of the barrell. Kind of a place where old hookers go to die, like Vegas in the states. If you want better looking girls, go to 49 bar or any of the bars on Hai Ba T street. Its pay for play but the mama controls the girls so they are less likely to rip you off.
4. This place is also full of fags, VN and western. No issue with gay people but I dont like to go to a club where there are a bunch of fags negotiating on how much for a suck job. I’d rather just go where they are not around, i.e 49 or any of those bars. There is no reason for the pink team members to go into these places.
5. Last but not least, be carefull! Apo is full of thieves, junkies and people that have no issue with stealing everything you have. Don’t take taxis outside apo period, go to HBT street and get a legit taxi from Sheraton hotel or you will be cheated or worse, that is a guarentee.
6. Do not act tough if you get in a beef with any vns in APO. Apologise and WALK AWAY. In the many years I’ve been here, I have seen countless westerners beaten, knifed, slashed and almost killed by the taxi mafia or pimps outside. Bottomline, don’t even think about fighting, I dont care how tough you are you will lose. I have seen Marines, MMA champions and pro boxers get there faces bashed in by teams of littel brown fuckers with sticks bricks bottles, knives, razors etc. Trust me on this, dont do it.
Good luck.
February 5th, 2010 at 9:52 am
Hello peoples,
Welcome to my Vietnam, Hope you all havingfun and learn more about My country.
I also believe on Tim comment, I know this place very well. Always careful with the Apo area! If you like to having fun then stay clean and be smart to know what u are doing. Dont messing around with those …place or peoples.
But Apo also fun!
February 12th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
Tim – You are the MAN! Way to lay it out there! I heard a lot about Apo and was thinking about heading there tonight, but you helped make up my mind. Thanks for that!
I’m 5 months new in HCMC, sitting at home in PMH/D7 this afternoon, trying to figure out where to go this evening. I planned to head to D1 as a change from the nearby walking-distance places; quiet is nice but I need a little more vibe on occasion.
I’m mid 50′s, not looking for a lay (free or pay) but just a good time in a lively place, decent music, pool table, ladies for talk/pool/drink, don’t care about the prices, and an easy/safe taxi when I’m totally shit-faced and ready to head back home.
I don’t know much about the city and have been spending most time at work or traveling for work. Settling down/in now and ready to take more in. Any advice/suggestions are appreciated!
Cam on!
February 13th, 2010 at 2:33 am
I’ve started to go there 4 years ago and everything was stunning withing the mix and the atmosphere was stunning…. For me it was a nice place to go with friends and have some drinks after a long- week working. It helped a lot. There are many other clubs in Saigon but I never go there coz so many( working girls) I don’t mean Apo is good but it’s much better than other ones in Saigon.
The securities there always protect you from the whores!! Trust me… I can’t even kiss my boyfriend in there haha.. But I respect that.
Well, if some of you don’t like Apo then should find another bar to go in Saigon.. Which is good music i bet there are so many… But the worse thing is… More WHORES IN THERE! YOU CAN’T GET OFF. ” between Scylla and Charybdis”
I think that depends on you, I know it’s been changed by the ( working girls there and not only them but the westerners who also looking for some fun)
But I don’t care… “Just go there and enjoy the music, F&B and your buddies.”
February 26th, 2010 at 6:17 pm
Tim just about summed it all up I’m a regular down there for the past few years,you can go there there for a regular night out ,but lets not beat around the bush the majority of girls there are the working kind ,so if your not sure get it out of the way early either say no no ,or neg a fair price normally 1 mill around 50 bucks , if not move on . Music is ok I think ,a nice outdoor area to chill ,nice staff overall I recommend it for a fun night out.
April 6th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
Close this third world bar and its rounding… end of the story.
April 29th, 2010 at 1:43 am
Love the ladies in HCMC. The bar is too pricey and getting too crowded. Not enough dance floor space and too many security guards that comes near to you or tell you to shift inner or to the left or to the right if you are into common grounds like the walkway to the main door. Too many working girls trying to hook you up and get free drinks!!!
May 24th, 2010 at 3:02 pm
Accept Apo for what it is… I have lived in Saigon for over 10 years and there is no where else like it in the City.
I dont agree with cover charges for some people and not for others but there is a reason for it. Remember this club is a business and most of the VN men and women who visit it are also in business ! No all but most.
Most working women or men are there for a reason and hate what they do but have families to support and they are sacrified for the sake of the greater family.
It is a place where middle aged men feel comfortable can enjoy the music, drinks, women and dance…and if they want take a girl home. Sure they have to pay for the drinks and other costs but they all know that up front. I have only seen one fight in there in 10 years and some close ones …but it is always the same..some young gun thinks he is clever and takes on the world…usually because he has no idea about life and does not understand how it works.
The guards are very good and never get in your way, they are there to make sure the police do not get involved and to protect you. They also stop many girls from coming in who they believe have caused problems in the past or who have been reported for stealing in the past.
I have never had anthing stolen from any girl I have taken out of Apo. But it is a different story elsewhere.
There are many other clubs and bars that discriminate against middle aged men (made to feel stupid and unwelcome – Go 2 for example) and visitors.
Choose the place that is right for you and keep out of places you dont understand and too young to appreciate.
Apo is a great place to go, full of atmosphere and people having a great time, where no one cares what you do as long as you dont cause trouble. I agree with Tim above…if you get into trouble ALWAYS walk away or pay the drinks bill !!
Each to their own taste and each of us can enjoy the place that suits us.
Life is never perfect so accept the market positioning that Apo has and have a great time as I always do…if it is not for you then dont go there !!
May 29th, 2010 at 3:24 am
I went there twice in my recent travels to HCMC. It is a fun place to enjoy a few beers and chat with the ladies. I thought the music was decent and everyone was having a good time. I talked to a few of the ladies there and indeed they are all ‘working’. It depends what you are looking for in a bar. I see no reason why you can’t enjoy yourself here.
June 2nd, 2010 at 12:43 am
I fully share Jack and John comments.
I ve been there several time, and all of us, we know why we are going over there.
Staff people are very nice, of course, im a wellet for them, this is business, and I have nothing against that. I accept the rules, I know what I can have, and I enjoyed a lot. APO is done for tourist, owner is doing everything for that. It s cool and fun.
I had an hotel 10mn walk from APO, and I never got any trouble going back to my hotel with anybody on the street. I was maybe lucky. lol
June 26th, 2010 at 4:08 am
has anyone seen some fucked up white bald guy here? if yes let’s talk.
July 11th, 2010 at 11:09 am
I did enjoy last night at Apo.
I only have one matter is that it was too small, and dirty. I was almost fell on the floor several times because of the water and the lemon peel.
July 15th, 2010 at 9:04 pm
I was at APO three nights ago just trying to look for a good place with music, girls(non pros) etc. Anyway I found the place ok apart from a few white folk, obviously expats.
I was just minding my own business and anyway a girl(average looking) joined my table and after small talk insinuated she was not local and not a pro but travelling as i was. We talked more, I was drinking beers, she on water and I had to use the bathroom a few times and asked her to watch my beer.
At closing hour we chatted outside and she decided to come back with me to my hotel which is a short walking distance.
Nothing happened I tried but she wasnt game and anyway I just flaked out as she wasnt exactly good looking. In the morning I woke up with a severe head ache(not my average hangover) and asked her to leave as I really just wanted to be alone and rest as I was feeling terrible. To cut a long story short, she went CRAZY screaming and threatening me with a glass tumbler about to smash my face in unless I pay her $100!!!(She had been on the phone to a guy a few minutes earlier after I asked her to leave.)
Anyway to prevent problems I paid her and got her out of my room. Since then I have had a terrible fever, vomiting, diarreha, nausea and am only just recovering. Could she have spiked my beers?
I decided to cut my holiday short and headed back to Bangkok where I feel a lot safer.
July 22nd, 2010 at 10:21 pm
Apo is a nice bar, a great bar, expat friendly, great music, a ‘leave your pretenses at the door and come as you are’ atmosphere. In reading all these comments I’m amazed how many people have negative thoughts on the place. I’ve never seen a fight there, the security folks are respectful and keep it very safe, I’ve never known of anyone losing their wallet or personal possessions. Bottom line, I know of no better place in the city to go if you like loud thumping music and want to have a relaxing but energetic time. I’ve had several people, both locals and other expats, buy me drinks purely out of niceness. The server boys walking round the place are fast and accurate, the girls behind the bar very pleasant and fun to chat it up with, and the pool table is flat/accurate. Open until 2 weekdays, 3 weekends. . . . GREAT FUN!~!~! What more can I say?
August 2nd, 2010 at 11:16 pm
I’ve been to Apo a few times in my first two months in HCMC and especially enjoy the outside area where it is possible to get a bit away from the music and generally good atmosphere.
However, as some of you complain about too, most of the girls there are there for a reason – like most tourist/expat men, I guess.
However, I can get prostitutes back in England, so that’s not really what I’m interested in.
I do love the Vietnamese girls though – they are so hot. Can you recommend anywhere I can meet some nice local girls? How to approach them, etc… what’s the best way to pull them?
Thanks, Peter
August 3rd, 2010 at 7:37 pm
I live and work in Vn for 8 years and I agree with what Tim says. I have been to Apo many times and its nice place to have a few drinks and some fun. However its cater more towards foreigner with a more relax atmosphere. Unlike local dance club where the music is extremely load and very techno.
If you are looking for girls to pickup, the bars along Hai Ba Trung street is better because the girls work there and have someone to manage them. You will be safer and not likely to get rip off, especially for those who are new with Saigon. The girls here are generally younger, and better looking and can speak some English. There are also karaoke bars in Hotel where you can also book the girls. Its more expensive, but you have more choices.
Generally, it can be risky to pick up girls at clubs / disco because these girls are freelancer hence there is a chance they may steal your money, spiked your drinks etc. Unless off course you are familiar with the area and its environment.
August 9th, 2010 at 3:48 am
Hi, Guys!
I’ll visit Saigon for few days. First I thought to visit Apo at first night to pick up a local girl. But now I see that there are also plenty of other spots in HCMC for this in bars along Hai Ba Trung street . And even cheaper but the same safe for a lone tourist. I heard that in Vietnam it is prohibited to come with a such local girl inside of the hotel where you live.
Is it correct?
August 9th, 2010 at 10:06 pm
I have been Apo many times to took my customers and sometimes my friends there. I don’t know why many people like come to there. May be because girls. And its be habit. Last time, I come to there. And when I was finding my friends table. A guy asked me to go to hotel. Oh my God, can’t accpet. What do he think? All Vietnamese girls at there are working-girls. I must aksed helped from security. I don’t like DJ too. Just played old music.
I think foreingers come there only for girls.
August 15th, 2010 at 11:46 am
Apo is great for music, a relaxed atmosphere, and a good time!! I can think of no better place to go in HCMC if you’re an expat and want to hear good solid “DJ” style music. . . if you want live music go to 23Bar at the sheraton . . . . all in all, it’s my fave place to go in the city!!
August 24th, 2010 at 3:36 am
I’ve been in Apo for tree times…is a good place ..but only for to find working girls, i hope the police close this club as soon as possible
August 31st, 2010 at 8:51 am
Hi I’m Canadian and going to be in Saigon for a week or so.
I read all the comments about Apocalypse and it sounds like it’s full of prostitutes and pretty aggressive.
I’m not looking to pick up prostitutes or anything like that, but I’d like a place that’s pretty friendly to foreigners. I’d like a place where i can flirt with some girls and have a good time but nothing serious.
I read a lot of people bashing Apocalypse but they’re not offering alternative.
Any suggestions?what’s an alternative to go?
thanks.
August 31st, 2010 at 5:09 pm
i am Vietnamese girl and all my friends like to come apo when we have specal day. but so hate cos we always buy bottele whicky but they keep ask buy ticket . and not all girl there they working. so dont worry . just have fun! even not good and wait one day will have another bar better and we can changer.