gay vietnam * hanoi * ho chi minh city saigon * hai phong * vung tau * can tho * phu quoc ving tau * gay and lesbian travel information resources * asian lesbian * utopia asia *


Celebrating 15 YEARS
of Service to Asia's
Gay & Lesbian Community!


Utopia Gaydar User Search


Travel & Resources: VIETNAM

Please help us keep these listings up-to-date. Special thanks to allways, myklh, xinchao, Thanhdo, Terry T., Duc, Thanh Minh, Morrell, Erick, Richard, Mark A., Henry, Jonathan, Chanh, Woods, Peter, Ly, BB, Bruce D., Michael C., and Blaameug!

Advisory: There have never been laws against homosexual activity in Vietnam. However, in May, 2002, state-run media declared that homosexuality was a "social evil" on par with drug use and prostitution and suggested laws to allow the arrest of same sex couples. Gays in Vietnam are misunderstood and victims of prejudice. Blaming social problems on the powerless is simply a gimic to obscure poorly provided education.

Police raided a gay sauna in Saigon in November, 2002, and arrested and harassed adults there, requiring them to take re-education classes even though they had not broken any laws. The government reported that homosexuals have infiltrated the tourism, restaurant and karaoke bar industries and that their "eccentric behavior" went hand in hand with prostitution, drug use and HIV/AIDS. In reality, national revolutionary hero, "Uncle Ho" Chi Minh, is beloved by the Vietnamese people and no official would dare recuse him for eccentricity.

Hopeful signals are simultaneously emerging from more level heads: the Communist Youth Newspaper carried a story in November 2002 stating "some people are born gay, just as some people are born left-handed." A report by the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs said the number of gay couples is on the rise.

Homosexuality is not a crime, but blackmail is, so do contact the Police if you are threatened by a scam artist. Prostitution is illegal as is the payment of money for sexual services. Gay visitors can help to set a good example by observing the local laws and customs.

The expanded and updated 2nd Edition of the Utopia Guide to Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar & Vietnam offers a remarkable insider's glimpse at the gay and lesbian scene in 18 cities including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon, Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Yangon/Rangoon, Phnom Penh, and Angkor Wat/Siem Reap. Enjoy savvy comments and recommendations from local Utopians, as well as gay travelers. Click here to order

Vietnam Listings by City:

HANOI | HO CHI MINH CITY - SAIGON

Other cities and provinces are listed below...


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


General Information

    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.


Articles and Publications


Organizations


Travel Services

    Bhaya Cruises
      Hanoi Sales Office: 52 Hang Trong 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

    Purple Dragon
      119/5-10 Surawong Rd, Bangkok, (662) 238-3227, FAX (662) 634-0292, email. Asia's oldest and largest gay tour company offers hundreds of options using local English-speaking guides throughout Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar (Burma), India, China, Singapore and Bhutan. Specializes in programs focusing on culture, cuisine, adventure and aesthetic improvement programs.

  • vistalandtravel.com
      5/21 Quoc Tu Giam St, +84-4732-4303, +84-95-331-8890, FAX +84-4732-5735, email. Gay-owned vistalandtravel.com is a travel booking platform in Vietnam. They offer competitive rates on hotels and tour packages everywhere in the country.



Can Tho

General Information

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


Popular Spots

Discos

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



Dalat

Popular Spots

Discos

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



Haiphong

General Information

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


Popular Spots

Accommodations


HANOI



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



Hoi An

Popular Spots

Bars and Clubs

    • Eden Bar (mixed)
        61A Phan Chau Trinh St (in the old town just off the busy main street, Le Loi). Playing great music and serving delicious food and drinks. Free pool table. Open early until late.


Shops and Salons

    • 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
    • Sung Antique Shop
        Nguyen Thai Hoc St, Inside Hoi An ancient town.



Hue

Popular Spots

Restaurants and Cafes

    • An Tuong Cafe
        Tran Phu St.


Shops and Salons

    • Hai Trieu Hairshop
        Chi Van An St.



Mui Ne

Popular Spots

Bars and Clubs

      Comments from Utopians:

      "DJ Station is the very first very gay friendly bar to open here! It's on the beach. They have a live DJ every night. I had a great time. Please open one in Hanoi!" -- xinchao, Jun 25, 2008



Nha Trang

Travel Services

    Comments from Utopians:

    "K Tourist Service Office at 3k Hung Vuong St, (058) 527-008 or 090-509-272. Khan is a very nice person. Even if you do not get a tour he is very helpful for the gay scene in Nha Trang and Vietnam. He gave good information and helped me to enjoy my time there. Also, good advice for what to do and not do in Vietnam." -- pierre4852, Apr 23, 2009



Phu Quoc Island

Popular Spots

Accommodations

Bars and Clubs
    • Eden Bar (mixed)
        Tran Hung Dao St (next door to La Veranda Resort), Duong Dong Town, 077-994-208, email. Second and bigger branch of Saigon's Eden bar, restaurant and guesthouse. A great place to relax, eat and have a drink. Look at the ocean or sit out on the beach and relax. The staff are very friendly. Dancing from 9pm till late. Gay and lesbian-friendly. Utopia Member Discount


Shops and Salons

    • Toan Cau
        Email. Internet café with helpful owner.



Sapa

Popular Spots

Accommodations


Tam Hai / Tam Ky

Popular Spots

Accommodations

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



Vung Tau

Popular Spots

Bars and Clubs

    • Blue Moon
        Behind the Grand Hotel on Ha Long St.

        Comments from Utopians:

        "A regular hangout for gays and lesbians. The music is loud, if you like that, and drinks are a must. The light show is also good." -- tamquat, Feb 21, 2009

    • Vitamin C (mixed)
        Located at the corner of Nguyen Truong To and Hoang Hoa Tham St, Ward 3.

        Comments from Utopians:

        "Another good bar in Vung Tau that is open till around 2am. It has loud music and the drinks aren't badly priced. Good crowd gathers after Blue Moon closes. It rocks, but as it is in Vietnam it is a mixed bar, but a lot of guys go there." -- tamquat, Mar 6, 2009


Discos
    • 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.


Meeting Places
    • 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.



[BACK A PAGE][HOME PAGE]

UTOPIA PLACE:
AQUARIUS SAUNA, POOL & GYM in tropical Patong Beach
AQUARIUS SAUNA, POOL & GYM in tropical Patong Beach, Phuket...
get the full story
UTOPIA PLACE:
ShanghaiPRIDE 2009

Hardworking organizers Jun and Henry at Shanghai PRIDE 2009...
get the full story
UTOPIA PLACE:
SPECIAL EXHIBITION by photographer Marcus Mok...
get the full story
UTOPIA NEWS:
ASIA - Jul 2, 2009

The Delhi High Court has repealed antique British laws against gays in India.

get the full story

SINGAPORE - May 16, 2009

Thousands of Singaporeans turn out in public to support GLBT love and tolerance at PinkDot.

get the full story

ASIA - May 13, 2009

ShanghaiPRIDE organizers have released the schedule of events for June 7 to 14, 2009.

get the full story


AIDS/HIV
+ ASIAN NEWS ARCHIVE + SAFER SEX + TRAVEL TIPS + WOMEN'S SPACE + HOTLIST + MESSAGE CENTER
A-SHOP + GALLERY + MEMBERSHIP + ACCOMMODATION + POSTCARDS
ADVERTISE
+ ABOUT US + EMAIL US

Australia + Cambodia + China/Hong Kong + East Timor + India + Indonesia + Japan + Korea + Laos + Malaysia + Mongolia
Myanmar/Burma + Nepal + Philippines + Singapore + Sri Lanka + Taiwan + Thailand + Vietnam

All original content (c) 1995-2009 by Utopia Asia