Long Phi Bar
Long Phi Bar sits at the quieter end of Pham Ngu Lao and has earned a devoted following from long-stay expats and return visitors who find the chaos of Bui Vien two streets too many. The French owner runs an honest bar with outdoor seating, solid drinks, and a food menu of French and international dishes that comes into its own after midnight when everything else nearby has stopped serving food. Open until 4 AM. One regular described it as his home from home for two decades.
What to Expect
Outdoor tables, a relaxed pace, a French host with a sense of humor, and genuine late-night food. The crowd leans toward expats who want somewhere settled rather than somewhere exciting.
Relaxed, slightly French in character, worn-in comfort. The kind of bar that becomes a habit rather than a destination.
Background music only. Low volume.
None.
Expats, late-night eaters, travelers wanting somewhere calm after the Bui Vien onslaught, night owls who need food at 2 AM.
Cash.
Price Range
Beer from 40,000 VND. Cocktails from 80,000 VND. Food dishes 70,000-250,000 VND (~$3-10 USD).
Beer: from ~€1.50. Food: ~€2.70-9.50.
Hours
Daily approximately 6 PM to 4 AM.
Insider Tip
Go after midnight for food: the kitchen runs late when almost nothing else does. The pasta dishes are consistently praised. Better for a quieter conversation than a loud night out.
Full Review
Long Phi sits at the quieter end of Pham Ngu Lao and serves the crowd that finds Bui Vien two streets too loud. The French owner runs an honest bar with outdoor seating and a food menu of French and international dishes that comes into its own after midnight, when the kitchen continues serving while everything else nearby has shut down. Open until 4 AM, it covers the late-night-food gap that most Saigon bars ignore.
The crowd is long-stay expats, return visitors, and travelers who need somewhere calm after the Bui Vien assault. One regular described it as his home for two decades, which tells you about the loyalty the place generates. The atmosphere is relaxed and slightly French in character, with background music at low volume and conversations at normal volume. Service is familiar rather than formal.
In the Pham Ngu Lao ecosystem, Long Phi fills the late-night-calm niche. Allez Boo runs later but louder. Le Pub offers a similar local atmosphere but closes earlier. Long Phi has the kitchen open past midnight and the temperament of a neighborhood bar that happens to be in a tourist area.
Go after midnight for food; the kitchen runs when almost nothing else does. The pasta dishes are consistently praised. Better for conversation than for dancing. The French owner adds character to the place.
The Neighborhood
At the quieter end of Pham Ngu Lao, Long Phi caters to the segment of the backpacker area's population that prefers a calm drink and a late meal over the sensory overload available two blocks away on Bui Vien.
Getting There
On Pham Ngu Lao Street in District 1, at the quieter end toward Nguyen Thai Hoc. Walkable from all backpacker-area accommodations.
Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City
Compare hotels near the nightlife districts. Free cancellation on most properties.
Other Venues in Pham Ngu Lao
Le Pub
Long-running expat bar tucked down an alley off Pham Ngu Lao. Pool tables, darts, and reasonably priced drinks make it a steady gathering spot for backpackers.
Spotted Cow
Australian-style pub on De Tham Street serving cold beers and pub food. More laid-back than the Bui Vien strip, with sports on TV and a mixed expat-tourist crowd.
Allez Boo
Two-story bar at the corner of Pham Ngu Lao and De Tham that's been open since the early 2000s. Happy hour deals draw an early evening crowd and the balcony offers good people-watching.
Tropical Cocktail Bar
Small cocktail-focused bar with dim lighting and a quieter atmosphere than the surrounding street bars. Mojitos and caipirinhas run 80,000-120,000 VND.