Ho Chi Minh City - General Info

[QUOTE=Macheath]"something like a 'playgirl'"

Hey Jd,. I ask because you seem to have some insight.

Can you comment on clubs like Sixteen on Le Quy Don. [/QUOTE]

Club 16 is a very common concept in HCMC. There are quite a few more around the area, with and without a live band

Techinacally, it is not a club. It is more of a bar. The girls you see are hostesses. They are there to accompany customers. The guy you saw giving money to the girls are tips. Same as Catwalk. Only difference is that Catwalk caters to mostly foreignors whereas 16 caters to locals.

and you are right that the girls dont earn much. In fact they dont have a salary and they depend totally on tips. They also use this opportunity to try and find someone that will "take care" of them.

Many Viet Kieus are returning to Vietnam for business ventures / investments. The Viet Govt has changed certain policies where by it makes it easier for them to return.

There are also many Viet Kieus who save money and come back to Vietnam for a long holiday and when they run out of cash, they head back home.

Sorry everyone, I haven't got the interest as I thought I would have and someone "Timothy" deleted ALL the info I added for everyone. Also he felt it was appropriate to add his own home to the map! ? ! So as of today, I'm closing it down. Thanks everyone.

It was nice while it lasted!

[QUOTE=Newbie]Club 16 is a very common concept in HCMC. There are quite a few more around the area, with and without a live band

Techinacally, it is not a club. It is more of a bar. The girls you see are hostesses. They are there to accompany customers. The guy you saw giving money to the girls are tips. Same as Catwalk. Only difference is that Catwalk caters to mostly foreignors whereas 16 caters to locals.

and you are right that the girls dont earn much. In fact they dont have a salary and they depend totally on tips. They also use this opportunity to try and find someone that will "take care" of them.

Many Viet Kieus are returning to Vietnam for business ventures / investments. The Viet Govt has changed certain policies where by it makes it easier for them to return.

There are also many Viet Kieus who save money and come back to Vietnam for a long holiday and when they run out of cash, they head back home.[/QUOTE]I don't like to go to these kinds of places. I don't appreciate the atmosphere or the music, the expection that you should buy expensive 'XO' and mix it with ice and Coca-Cola, the high tips for doing nothing really other than looking pretty and selling you something. What's the point, I am looking for sex, not a smoky, loud bar and expensive alcohol.

[QUOTE=Tom Strander]So the stretch of DBL I'm referring to is the area with all the visible girls in the hair shops near where DBL intersects with Bach Dang street. [/QUOTE]

Hey what is a good time to explore these? What time do they close?

Tom Strander & JohnDao,

I just tried PM'ing you 2 but you aren't able to receive PM's.

Wanted to mention that I've been in that DBL area but haven't really explored it too well. Actually I was picking up a girl occassionally over a year ago -- she worked in a hotel in that area, and apparently would be available at the hotel up until when she got off in the evening, then she'd work on the street, which was where I found her. I never did go check out that hotel again, other than the one time I went there with her.

It's a shame you guys don't have PM, because I tend to think it's not a great idea to post the actual address up here publicly.

[QUOTE=Wendella]Hey what is a good time to explore these? What time do they close?[/QUOTE]They are usually open from 10am to about 10pm. Some may close at 9 or 9:30pm, others maybe 11pm but that would be late.

Just went to see what the state of the HBTEtc. bars was. A lot of them are shut this evening. Not sure how long that's been going on, if it's a one time thing or has been happening lately (don't go there these days). I asked at one, on LTT (Bin Bin) and was told they open at 9pm. Very strange. The ones that were open barely had any hostesses working.

For example, 91 was totally closed on Sat at about 7pm. 35, 49 and 51 open but hardly any girls. Bin Bin and Tia To on LTT totally shut.

[QUOTE=Johndao]I don't like to go to these kinds of places. I don't appreciate the atmosphere or the music, the expection that you should buy expensive 'XO' and mix it with ice and Coca-Cola, the high tips for doing nothing really other than looking pretty and selling you something. What's the point, I am looking for sex, not a smoky, loud bar and expensive alcohol.[/QUOTE]Jd,

I get your point, and certainly if you're looking for sex the negotiation is going to be a lot different from more up front places and no doubt more expensive. But the girls are definitely going for the sexy look and can't believe that they're not experienced or would not expect to be propositioned.

On the atmosphere also I agree that 16 is not so welcoming, almost get the impression they're thinking you've wandered into the wrong place. And not like I'm dressed like a hobo or looking like Quasimodo. On the music. Actually the band's are all pretty good, always good guitar and bass, and sometimes get a gem like good singer or horn player. Also good band at Crystal. Probably on par with Yoko band. On Pham Ngoc Thach, problem is choice of music but 90% + of all music is crap anyway. Even at Yoko you have to endure Alanis Morissette type stuff.

I'm an ex smoker so can be very smoke conscious but the better places seem ok. Maybe because high ceilings and good aircon. Some of the drinking bars like M52, Polo etc are unendurable for me. Especially when some big dick lights up the cigar. I've tried other places like Saigon Face and can't work it out. Almost empty, full of security, ear splitting crap music with hero dj's, girls sitting around not doing anything? Been to Catwalk a few times and definitely can pick up, but most of the girls actually aren't that attractive. Just dressed up. To tell the truth I occasionally check out these places on the off chance of finding a different look. Tall, sexy pretty, with a nice bum etc. Pretty hard to find this type in Saigon. Maybe need to go to Hanoi. Amazing how ordinary the girl can look when out of the dress, high heels and makeup. But still manage to get fooled over again.

Might be dreaming but ideally would like to occasionally go somewhere to have a drink and listen to some live music, maybe have a chat with the sexy girl of choice and score a date later if it looks like it could be fun. I'm interested in what you think the Viet Kieus, or even if they are Viet Kieus, are after, assuming that you're not typical but would have an insight. Seems like a lot of big noting. Buying the overpriced bottle of whisky, fruit platters etc. As I mentioned before it looks like they're not big tippers. If the girl is only going to make a couple hundred k per night with all the effort of dressing up, make up etc and having to put up with sitting next to someone they wouldn't talk to in the real world, then hardly seems a worth while occupation.

Incidentally got to disagree with you about the girls on Tu Xuong. The ones I've seen at night look fairly poor, rough and desperate. Maybe even homeless. I wouldn't recommend trawling in this area.

Hi there everyone, I am new to this board, however I am living in HCMC for about 4 years now and know my way around the non-pro scene. Actually I live in the far north of HCMC, District 12, it is in no comparison to any girls you find in the city.

Well, I just wonder, are you guys simply only interested to pay girls for sex or do some of you actually prefer to meet young beautiful and lovely girls on the street?

Ok, don't get me wrong, I know how it is when you get to a new country or perhaps simply are on vacation here. I am calling out to some guys in my age range (30. 35) who perhaps like to go on a special tour around the countryside. I am doing it often and you will explore a complete new world. I know my way around and more or less do speak Vietnamese. If it sounds like an invitation for a paid tour, sorry, no, it isn't. I am simply a guy who is tired of going around alone and is willing to show nice opportunities around here. The clock is ticking differently here.

[QUOTE=Wendella]Just went to see what the state of the HBTEtc. bars was. A lot of them are shut this evening. Not sure how long that's been going on, if it's a one time thing or has been happening lately (don't go there these days). I asked at one, on LTT (Bin Bin) and was told they open at 9pm. Very strange. The ones that were open barely had any hostesses working.

For example, 91 was totally closed on Sat at about 7pm. 35, 49 and 51 open but hardly any girls. Bin Bin and Tia To on LTT totally shut.[/QUOTE]

This may be due to the fact there are 2 major Public Holidays coming up soon. 30th April / Victory Day and 1st May / Labour Day. During these times, the possibilities of raids are very very much higher. Most places will operate but they will be very guarded. These activities always happen close to Major Public Holidays.

Hey Guys

Though usually I don't have time to try for the GFE on short visits, my trip to HCMC last week gave me a chance. I was staying at the Park Hyatt, so I knew they were tough about bringing in girls.

But I had 'met' a 28 year old online who had seemed very interested in meeting, sent sexy pics, and then asked me to get her something as a present to give her when me met for coffee on Monday. I knew that was a good sign, since all the girls usually ask for a gift if they don't ask for money.

So Monday we meet for coffee, I give her my gift, and we are chatting away. Hit it off. She suggests we go for a walk, so we go outside, holding hands, and she wants to kiss. Finally, she looks at me and says words that every guy dreams of: "I am really horny. Do you think we could go to a hotel? "

HAHA. Cooly saying yes, off we went. Found a short term place and debated all night or short term, went for 4 hours. Wonderful time of sex, two pops, and very hot.

We arrange to meet the next day for dinner at my hotel, thinking maybe we could sneak upstairs from the restaurant to my room at 7 or 8:00. It worked! So she got to spend all night with me at the Park Hyatt on Tuesday. OMG, we f***ed all night. Guys, I am in my 40s. I don't think I ever came 5 times in one night, but this girl had me going wild from 8-1:00am and then again at 6:00am, and one of the best nights of sex I have ever had.

Yes, kinda worn out for work on Wednesday. Hehehe.

We meet again Wednesday night for dinner and music, then she takes me back to her place, which is nice and better than I expected, so we f*% there for a few hours, then I go home. Great GFE.

Then Thursday, we went out for spa early, then upstairs to my room at Park Hyatt around 8 for a quickie before the security guys throw her out. Sure enough, got a call at 10 asking for her to go.

An amazing week, and now I have my go-to girl in HCMC. And to think, I had almost given up hope!

[QUOTE=Macheath]Buying the overpriced bottle of whiskey, fruit platters etc. As I mentioned before it looks like they're not big tippers. If the girl is only going to make a couple hundred k per night with all the effort of dressing up, make up etc and having to put up with sitting next to someone they wouldn't talk to in the real world, then hardly seems a worthwhile occupation.[/QUOTE]The girls get commission on the price of the drinks and fruit (especially the drink) so that is the tip.

While individual standards might vary, tips of 100,000 to the girl are considered normal in places like these for reasonably good service and company.

To leave no tip at all, they'd be thinking, "why did I have to get stuck with this loser." I'm not sure this is the image you want to be aiming for.

[QUOTE=Timlooblue]Hi there everyone, I am new to this board, however I am living in HCMC for about 4 years now and know my way around the non-pro scene. Actually I live in the far north of HCMC, District 12, it is in no comparison to any girls you find in the city.

Well, I just wonder, are you guys simply only interested to pay girls for sex or do some of you actually prefer to meet young beautiful and lovely girls on the street?

Ok, don't get me wrong, I know how it is when you get to a new country or perhaps simply are on vacation here. I am calling out to some guys in my age range (30. 35) who perhaps like to go on a special tour around the countryside. I am doing it often and you will explore a complete new world. I know my way around and more or less do speak Vietnamese. If it sounds like an invitation for a paid tour, sorry, no, it isn't. I am simply a guy who is tired of going around alone and is willing to show nice opportunities around here. The clock is ticking differently here.[/QUOTE]

Timlooblue, tried to pm you but your account doesn't accept pm's. How can someone get in touch with you?

Regarding my previous post asking why some bars were closed or near empty. It was a combination of factors:

1. As Newbie suggested, the holidays have turned up the heat on these places, and that explains why fewer were in some bars

2. The owner of 3 of the bars had a wedding, so those 3 were closed until late in the evening, opening at 9 or 10. I learned this from one of the ones at 91 a few nights later when it was open again at its normal time.

I cruised past DBL last week -- I have to say my first impression is very mixed. Might go look again more closely but I wasn't seeing much that was too tempting.

There's a certain hotel in that area that I'm pretty sure has girls who are available for massage in a room plus extras, and those extras might be very special. If anyone is interested, PM me and I'll forward the details.