Pham Ngu Lao Street
Pham Ngu Lao Street
4
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Pham Ngu Lao Street and nearby attractions
The area
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
4,460 within 3 miles
Attractions
295 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
1,499 reviews
Excellent
428
Very good
590
Average
363
Poor
71
Terrible
47
Leonhkny
Hong Kong, China20,996 contributions
May 2023
This is the equivalent of Khaosan Road in Ho Chi Minh City. Pham Ngu Lao Street is a vast collection of hostels, travel agencies, touristy restaurants as well as shops mainly catering to the backpacker community in Saigon. It is not a tourist attraction by itself and does not really offer something interesting or remarkable.
Written May 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FlaschNpost_aus_Fernost
Munich, Germany169 contributions
Oct 2019
I ve been there many times, and its always nice around there, its like the former Khao-San Road of HCMC!
You have plenty of restaurants, bars agencys to plan further trips, and nightclubs to hang out in the evening. You also find a Motorbikedealer to sell you one, or rent you one.
Like to come back again !
You have plenty of restaurants, bars agencys to plan further trips, and nightclubs to hang out in the evening. You also find a Motorbikedealer to sell you one, or rent you one.
Like to come back again !
Written September 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nicholas-P-R
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam1 contribution
Dec 2012 • Solo
Bui Vien Street is center to the backpacker area, so with that in mind, be aware that there will always be opportunists lurking around every corner.
So providing you are very weary about the following, you can have a great time here... I'll try to put these in priority:
1. Don't wear bling! [jewelry) (you may feel naked without it, but it's just not worth it. It may be cool back at home, but here it's just a lighthouse, calling thieves to you).
2. Keep your cash close to you, in a small purse or wallet, kept in a pocket.. Don't don a handbag or bumb-bag, they're too easy to snatch.
3. Always keep your money in the ATM. Only withdraw a few hundred thousand dong at a time for what you need that morning/afternoon/evening etc.
4. When crossing the road, don't try to make dart for it! Just walk slowly and continuously and you'll be surprised at how everyone will just flow around you... Obviously keep you're eyes open!
5. Culture note: When browsing the shops, or even when a street-vendor approaches you, It's better to just be strong and firmly say, 'no thanks' to something you're not interested in. It may feel a bit cold at first, but it's better than putting on big smile and trying to politely refuse... it won't work, because they see that you're going to be easier pray and will keep pushing whatever goods on to you.
6. Don't try the rice wine!... It tastes really bad and can sometimes be dangerously strong.
7. MEN: Watch out for girls or lady boys riding around in pairs on motorbikes... They have a few tricks which i've witnessed and heard of countless times:
One will dismount their bike, approach you and flirt with you. Even if you're not at all interested, they will get close and grope you. At which point, while you are defending yourself, they will pick-pocket you and ride away. This all happens in a matter of seconds, before you realized which just happened.
Hope these notes will at prevent at least 1 more spoilt vacation for someone :)
So providing you are very weary about the following, you can have a great time here... I'll try to put these in priority:
1. Don't wear bling! [jewelry) (you may feel naked without it, but it's just not worth it. It may be cool back at home, but here it's just a lighthouse, calling thieves to you).
2. Keep your cash close to you, in a small purse or wallet, kept in a pocket.. Don't don a handbag or bumb-bag, they're too easy to snatch.
3. Always keep your money in the ATM. Only withdraw a few hundred thousand dong at a time for what you need that morning/afternoon/evening etc.
4. When crossing the road, don't try to make dart for it! Just walk slowly and continuously and you'll be surprised at how everyone will just flow around you... Obviously keep you're eyes open!
5. Culture note: When browsing the shops, or even when a street-vendor approaches you, It's better to just be strong and firmly say, 'no thanks' to something you're not interested in. It may feel a bit cold at first, but it's better than putting on big smile and trying to politely refuse... it won't work, because they see that you're going to be easier pray and will keep pushing whatever goods on to you.
6. Don't try the rice wine!... It tastes really bad and can sometimes be dangerously strong.
7. MEN: Watch out for girls or lady boys riding around in pairs on motorbikes... They have a few tricks which i've witnessed and heard of countless times:
One will dismount their bike, approach you and flirt with you. Even if you're not at all interested, they will get close and grope you. At which point, while you are defending yourself, they will pick-pocket you and ride away. This all happens in a matter of seconds, before you realized which just happened.
Hope these notes will at prevent at least 1 more spoilt vacation for someone :)
Written December 15, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bodhisottva
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam16 contributions
Mar 2014 • Solo
District 1 is very convenient and can be a lot of fun. However, tourists are a big target for thieves. Don't carry purses and valuables easy for people to grab off your person. The biggest thing is standing next to an alley or busy street. 2 guys on a motorbike will drive buy and rip your belongings off you then speed away. Don't leave valuables out on the table, like smart phones. A thief will grab it off the table and run down an alley near the crime scene and disappear into the chaotic streets. Be mindful of the traffic. The streets are very dangerous and motorbikes and buses will run you over if you're not super careful. The traffic is extremely dangerous here. I can't count how many tourists I've seen wearing casts and slings or walking with crutches because they weren't careful enough. You can have fun, but just be mindful, people are watching you. Don;t give them a reason to target you. Keep valuables tucked and hidden away. Don't pull out you wallet in the middle of the streets. Carry a small ladies backpack instead of a bulky purse. 2 straps are harder to cut with a knife than a purse would be. Yes they will cut your strap off your purse and in some occasions, cut the person by accident instead of the purse strap. Make it as difficult as possible for the thieves to get your belongings, so they will be discouraged to steal from you. I put Velcro on all my shorts' pockets. No lie! Don't let anyone stop you if you're riding a motorbike, especially if you're a lady. They'll ask you to stop then mug you at knife point. All true accounts. You can have fun here, but just be safe and mindful of your surroundings and whereabouts. I don't want you to fall victim to what I've seen here.
Written March 30, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Devon
Toronto, Canada94 contributions
Aug 2012 • Solo
This place is great for coming for a drink and meeting some other travellers and to stay in a cheap guesthouse. But BEWARE!
In one week:
A female traveller was mugged in front of the hostel.
Two men on a motorbike tried to grab my purse while driving by. Luckily, the didnt succeed but I was punched in the stomach.
Another female traveller's purse was grabbed by two men on a scooter and she was dragged behind the scooter until the strap broke.
Two drunk men on a scooter hit our motorbike then proceeded to try and attack us while chasing us through the alleys until they finally crashed and we could get away.
Another traveller saw a fight between two Vietnamese, one stabbed teh other one and then left the victim in the street.
In all cases the police DID NOTHING AND DID NOT CARE!
So come down here for some drinks and fun but do not bring a purse and do not walk alone at night and exersice caution while on the scooter.
In one week:
A female traveller was mugged in front of the hostel.
Two men on a motorbike tried to grab my purse while driving by. Luckily, the didnt succeed but I was punched in the stomach.
Another female traveller's purse was grabbed by two men on a scooter and she was dragged behind the scooter until the strap broke.
Two drunk men on a scooter hit our motorbike then proceeded to try and attack us while chasing us through the alleys until they finally crashed and we could get away.
Another traveller saw a fight between two Vietnamese, one stabbed teh other one and then left the victim in the street.
In all cases the police DID NOTHING AND DID NOT CARE!
So come down here for some drinks and fun but do not bring a purse and do not walk alone at night and exersice caution while on the scooter.
Written August 9, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AhEkuEku
San Jose, CA22 contributions
Jul 2013 • Solo
I guess it isn't bad if you're into the review title. It's definitely the party atmosphere area, but it's also one of the most famous areas for losing your wallet or purse. Stroll through the side streets, and you'll get to see men with their faces in their beers, passed out at 11:00am. You can also, in about a ten block length of road, get propositioned at least once per block. It's definitely different and interesting, but be careful. Men should walk with their wallet in their front pocket, and have their hand in the pocket at all times. Women should not even carry a purse. Also avoid the stranger offering to buy you a beer or a drink, unless you can actually watch the drink being made, or have the beer opened right in front of you. The stories about the knock-out powder they use are pretty scary. Typically, it's not the Vietnamese that do this to you. Beware of other SE Asian people, particularly those from some islands near Japan.
Written October 14, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Flowen
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam39 contributions
Jul 2014 • Friends
I just don't understand why people would want to go there... It's filthy, there's nothing interesting to see and you'll get sick in most of the restaurants. There are plenty of super cool restaurants and bars around HCM so you really don't need to around Pham Ngu Lao area. The only thing worth going there is getting some nice T-shirt from Papaya and Orange.
Written March 22, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ponie
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam288 contributions
Apr 2015 • Friends
Several precautions when you go to Ho Chi Minh:
1. Trust no motorbike or rickshaw driver, they know you put better than they know the places where they have to take you to.
2. Do not stand bag free when you sit on a terrace in Bui Vien, their dexterity creates a lot of trouble you can save with precaution own by attaching your bags to your seat or in the hotel to leave.
3. Do not take more money than it takes in this city, street vendors are good at to extort your money.
4. Be careful with small children, these seem sweet but take what they can catch.
1. Trust no motorbike or rickshaw driver, they know you put better than they know the places where they have to take you to.
2. Do not stand bag free when you sit on a terrace in Bui Vien, their dexterity creates a lot of trouble you can save with precaution own by attaching your bags to your seat or in the hotel to leave.
3. Do not take more money than it takes in this city, street vendors are good at to extort your money.
4. Be careful with small children, these seem sweet but take what they can catch.
Written April 25, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joe
Ninh Hai, Vietnam62 contributions
May 2012 • Friends
Lot's of drinking, hawking, and cheap backpacker/tourist food. If that's what you traveled thousands of miles to enjoy - go for it! (The tour shops here are conveniently grouped here.)
If you want to see REAL Vietnam, go elsewhere. A few good leads on authentic Vietnamese food and neighborhoods at www.eatingsaigon.com.
If you want to see REAL Vietnam, go elsewhere. A few good leads on authentic Vietnamese food and neighborhoods at www.eatingsaigon.com.
Written May 18, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Drifter
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Vietnam4,298 contributions
Apr 2012 • Solo
All the worst of Sai Gon rolled into 2-3 blocks, only go there to visit a friend, noisy , dirty, polluted with scam artists...stay away!
Written May 3, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
taking trip with my 18 year old son, would like to tour historical / cultural experience. Don't
mind the odd night or 2 enjoying the food etc...more interested in culture/historical stuff.
Written September 25, 2016
It's perfect. Visit the reunification palace, war remnants museum and the cu ci tunnels. it's a lot of history. Have fun!
Written September 25, 2016
How much should I pay for n oil painting(eg. 36cm*36cm), and where to buy a reasonable one?
Written April 9, 2016
1.What is the best way from Japanese Area of District 1 in Ho Chi Minh City to here, and how much should I pay and how long?
2. What is the best way from Japanese Area of District 1 in Ho Chi Minh City to the airport (Tan Son Nhat International Airport) , and how much should I pay and how long ?
Written April 9, 2016
Hi! Is it safe for a solo female traveler to stay in this area? This is my first time to travel solo outside the Philippines.
Written April 20, 2015
It is safe but still like many places, you do have to take care of your own belonging and don't get drunk.
Written August 20, 2017
chodes2015
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Trying to find helo massages off pham ngu lao
Written January 12, 2015
chodes2015
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Where is helo , aplace to get a massage,just off pham ngu lao
Written January 12, 2015
There are scores of massage places in the Pham Ngu Lao vicinity, ranging from hotel spas to small laneway shops.
The area is literally scattered with them.
Quality will depend on the therapist. I've had bad massage in expensive top-end places and brilliant massage in a cheap shop.
Written January 13, 2015
is there ac in any rooms and is the wi fi?
Written January 6, 2015
I think most hotel or hostel in this area has good air-condition and Wifi.
I would recommend you Galaxy Hotel and Capsule in this area which my friends and I stayed recently in July. You have to walk into a small lane to the entrance of the hotel but it is very safe because there is a hawker stall right at the entrance which sells very interesting food.
The rooms are very clean and so are the bathrooms and toilets. The wifi i our room of 5 also very strong. The young staffs were great, helpful and friendly.
Written September 26, 2016
Showing results 1-7 of 7
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing