Acoustic Bar - Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa — Restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City

I came to this bar hoping to enjoy lively music with a group of my friends. I arrived expecting to pay 120k for a drink because we were told that each person was required to order a drink in order to enjoy the music. This was understandable as they have to be able to pay for the bands to perform all night. However, what was disappointing and disturbing was the lack of clarity of the prices.

Me and my boyfriend were given a menu and saw that the cheapest drinks were 120 on the menu (as shown in the photo provided) , so we bought 2 cokes. But when the bill came, each coke ended up being 270k. Which is shocking compared to the local price of coke (15-20k). The waiter then explained that the prices on the menu were not the real prices and were actually 2nd round drink prices. They then showed us the last page of the menu and explained that all first round drinks costed 270k. What is frustrating is that all of the other terms were translated to english except the one stating first round drinks costed 270. If I knew of this condition before ordering, I would have got a cocktail or something else that was more worth it. The price itself isn't what bothers me most, its the fact that they werent clear about it and instead seemed almost sneaky about it.

Additionally, when we confronted the staff, although they said sorry, they didnt seem apologetic and instead there was a bit of contempt stating that we didnt read the whole menu. I think this is unfair because that secton of the menu they were referring to, was the only part that was not translated to english. Making it seem like they intentionally wanted to scam foreigners. And, if they have terms like that, they should be explained to all new customers apon arrival.

Other than that, the music was good, and they had some english songs as well. I would rate the bands playing a 8/10. All of the performers seemed very passionate. Although, the place is so cramped that unless you are sitting at the back, its near impossible to get up to pee until all the bands conclude. Keep in mind, they played for 3 hours or so.

Even though the music here was pretty good, I wouldnt recommend it here due to the environment, staff and the lack of clarity. From overpriced and unclear pricing, to overstuffing the cramped bar, Its clear that this bar priorities money over their customers enjoyment. If you do plan to go here,...

Cozy little gem in Saigon 🎶 I stayed in Saigon for 6 days and ended up coming to Acoustic Bar on 5 of those nights, visiting different locations. Each one was wonderful—small, cozy, and lovely. You can go with friends or even sit by yourself (I went alone twice) and still feel completely comfortable, because the atmosphere is designed that way.

The majority of the live singers were excellent—great voices, easygoing vibes, and the perfect mix of Vietnamese and English songs. It’s very chill to just sit, sip a drink, and relax with the music.

That said, I want to share a bit of constructive feedback. Over the 5 nights I visited, I noticed most of the audience were from the 8x or 9x generation (and older). One night at the Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa location, a singer performed several Gen Z songs—like “Tớ thích cậu”—and even asked if the audience knew a certain Gen Z artist. The room went silent, clearly because most of us didn’t. Yet she continued singing them anyway, and honestly it felt out of place for the crowd.

What I really appreciated was how another singer, Jackie, approached her set. She asked the audience what they wanted to hear, then tailored her performance to that. No wonder the night Jackie was on, the room was absolutely packed. That’s the kind of energy and connection that keeps people coming back.

On the practical side: drinks were good, and there’s no entrance fee—but you’re required to order a drink. Drinks run about 300k each, or 250k if you don’t order. Pretty fair considering the experience you get.

For that reason, I took off one star—but overall, Acoustic Bar is still a must-visit. The atmosphere, music, and energy kept drawing me back night after night, and I’ll definitely return the next time...

I, like many others, fell in love with this place when I stumbled upon their video clips on Instagram. So of course on my first trip to HCM, I was just as excited to check out this acoustic bar as I would be of any other popular city landmark. And I say this as someone who regularly visits New York City live shows and jazz clubs at home- their top to bottom experience is top class. I came for the music but stayed for the service. I arrived late on a holiday weekend evening to a crowded bar. I thought standing by the door was my only option but instead, I was immediately accommodated by their friendly staff who found me a hidden seat by the bar. View of the stage was obstructed but I was happy to have a seat at all. Live music was excellent as expected. Drinks were generously made. But the best impression of the night was in large part thanks to one of their EXCELLENT staff, Ngọc Tran, who offered me the chance to move to a different part of the bar so I would have a better view. Though she was professional enough to provide prompt drink service and made sure I overcame any language barrier with my basic Vietnamese and her great English, I did not expect her to be as considerate as she was. She was truly a gem in this bar full of diamond talent. I am returning to HCM this summer and I plan on visiting this acoustic bar several more times. There are few nightlife events as fun and classy as this...