Zion Sky Lounge and Dining — Restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City

conundrum: should I even review a place which I know would be loved by many, but subjectively atrocious to me for very personal reasons?

you know what, let's resort to the ancient dark art of disclaimers.

DISCLAIMER: if you are very young, and/or have a sweet roorh for nightlife and/or you are more into wild partying than conversation - then stop reading now.

All right, I warned you.

It all begins with staff, five or six people who strictly belonged to one of two categories: threatening looking guy who did not speak, and unconventionally tall girl wih disquietingly long legs.

They would not let enter one of us due to the sin of wearing flip flops, something that would have irremediaby damaged the exclusive vibe of their rooftop, despite most eyes there being firmly pointed to the bottoms of scarcely dressed dancers.

They vigorously debated on whether one of us was allowed to keep his walking aids next to him - unclear in this case it they were detrimental to the exquisite scenery or potentially used as weapons in case we got drunk (something they tried hard to make happen).

They hovered in groups of, again, five or six, over our table - with the double unspoken goal of pushing more bottles at any given opportunity, and watching for more breakage of the many, many unposted rules of this sanctuary of fanciness.

It all began with the staff and, in a way, it ended there. This haunting presence mixing seamlessly with the patrons in almost equal numbers, the grunts and the fairies. And then all of a sudden, the third category: scantily dressed and even impossibly taller girls of foreign traits, dancing on the bar, alluring.

Cocktails and wine of very (very) debatable quality were served as the music blared rendering any attempt to mingle a screaming match. Middle aged foreigners with vacant look in their glassy eyes roamed aimlessly staring at the parade of exposed, subtly oiled skin shaking close oh so close and yet out of reach. You know this, you are familiar with this, you know how it ends.

With a substantial bill and a positive void that digs into your soul and leaves you an empty husk of a man, woman witness to the objectification of her peers.

Behind our back, the lights kept shining and the music kept piercing through the night while more and more and more members of the staff ossequiously escorted us out, bowing.

Just another...

Very interesting that many of the ratings and reviews are from people (guests or business associates?) who have only 1 review or rating. Seems as if they boosted their rating. Even the photos in the reviews are from the venue photographer and have been edited.

First impression was good.

The hosts in the lobby were all on their phones trying to confirm reservations for tables. We had a birthday reservation for a table for 6. We didn't have to wait too long before they showed us upstairs (20 minutes).

Upon arriving, the decor and design are well above average compared to similar venues in Saigon. We were shown to the bar and asked to again wait for our table. We waited approximately 45 minutes before being shown to our table.

Patrons are dressed in a wide range of styles. There were plenty of dress to impress, and surprisingly quite a few people more casual. For an upscale venue I would have expected a bit more as far as dress code. There was a plethora of stunning women accompanied by men in full suits. Seems as if this is the place to be seen or to promote your social media!

Prices are comparable for Saigon, meaning $10+ for a cocktail or good liquor. We went with Glenlevit 12 on the rocks at the bar. Then we ordered a bottle of Grey Goose for our table. They also have balloons when requested.

Music selection was quite bland. Downtempo house, followed by hip hop, and just too many older songs. As far as music, nothing progressive or really interesting. Personally I need good music, since everyone is there to see and be seen. There is no real place to dance also unless you're standing by the bar (which is located overlooking the city on the outside patio area, so very impressive, hence the 3 star rating). Service was excellent and also contributed to a...

I’ve been to Zion Sky Bar on Ham Nghi Street several times, especially on nights when guest singers like Lam Trường performed. The rooftop location in District 1 offers a decent view and a lively atmosphere. The drink menu is solid, with a wide range of options across different price points, making it accessible to various budgets. The staff, including the bouncers, were always friendly and helpful, which is a big plus in the nightlife scene.

That said, the music quality is just okay—not exactly top-tier—but the overall vibe is energetic and enjoyable, especially for a night out with friends.

However, my impression changed significantly after hearing from others and later experiencing the bar as a neighbor. There are multiple online reviews alleging scams, where women pretend to connect via dating apps like Tinder, lure people to the bar, and then pressure them into ordering expensive Champagne. If true, that’s a serious red flag and something the management should address publicly.

More troubling is the noise pollution. I stayed nearby for work and was shocked to hear loud music playing well past 2:00 AM, often until 3:00 or even 3:30 AM—on weekdays. This violates local regulations, which require bars to stop playing music by 2:00 AM. There seems to be no soundproofing, and the noise affects people within a large radius of the building. It was a terrible experience, and I’m genuinely surprised that local authorities haven’t stepped in.

Final verdict: If you’re inside the bar, you’ll likely enjoy the experience. But if you live or stay nearby—or value ethical business practices—you might want to think twice. Zion has potential, but it needs to clean up its operations and respect the law and...