# Vietnam Travel Stories

Saigon Red Light District – Secrets nobody tells you

Just like other big cities in the world, there is a place called Saigon Red Light District inside the burstling Ho Chi Minh City. However, most of the articles on the internet do not give too much information about it. This articles will give you more insights, and secrets about one of the most famous nightlife areas in Saigon.

Where is Saigon Red Light District?

Most articles on the internet refer to Bui Vien Street as the main red-light district of Saigon. However, it is a common misconception.

Bui Vien is just one part of the broader red-light scene in the city. While it is well-known for its lively nightlife, the true red-light activities are more discreet and spread across other areas as well.

So where exactly are the areas of Saigon Red Light District? For tourists, it is District 1, generally. For details, here are all of them:

Bui Vien Street
Le Thanh Ton Street (Japanese Street)
Pasteur Street

Known for its vibrant nightlife, Bui Vien Street is popular with backpackers and tourists. It features numerous bars, clubs, street food vendors, and various entertainment options. Hidden in the crowds, there are many red-light areas in the corners of Bui Vien.

Known as “Little Japan” or “Saigon Japan Town”, Le Thanh Ton Street has a concentration of Japanese restaurants, bars, Saigon Japan Town massage parlors, hostess bars, and karaoke lounges, catering to both locals and ex-pats. However, there are many bars and massage parlors that secretly work with red-light activities.

Read a detailed article about it here:

HCMC Japan Street Le Thanh Ton is haunted with “red-light” activities

The lady bars area on Pasteur Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, is known for its nightlife and adult entertainment venues. This area is less well-known compared to Bui Vien Street but offers a mix of bars and clubs where patrons can socialize with hostesses. However, be aware that this red-light area is infamous for scams, reported by a lot of foreign travelers.

Read more about Pasteur Street in this article:

Scams & red-light activities at bars along Pasteur Street Ho Chi Minh City

Saigon Red Light District Price

For normal services, the bar drinks and massage will cost from 50,000 VND to 500,000 VND depending on the service.

However, illegal services in Saigon’s red-light district vary widely. Street-based services typically range from 300,000 to 1,000,000 VND ($13 to $44 USD), with quick services on the lower end and full services on the higher end. Sometimes it is even much higher.

It is crucial to consider the significant legal and health risks involved. Engaging in these activities can result in arrest, fines, and deportation, and there is a high risk of sexually transmitted infections and scams.

Is Red Light District legal?

In Vietnam, including Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), prostitution is illegal. This means that while red-light districts may exist, the activities typically associated with them, such as prostitution, can cause any participant trouble.

Why is it illegal?

Traditional values and public morality in Vietnam see prostitution as incompatible with societal values. Moreover, it can spread sexually transmitted infections and other health risks.

There used to be news that Da Nang, a city in Vietnam was going to legalize red-light districts. However, this was a piece of fake news and the one who posted this has been fined by the government.

Fun fact:

There used to be an area called Binh Khanh – a “legal” Red light district in Saigon that existed 100 years ago

What happens if someone is caught in Red Light District?

If someone is caught in Saigon’s red-light district engaging in illegal activities, particularly related to prostitution, they may face several consequences.

The worst things they may face are arrests, fines, detention, and even deportation.

As the red-light areas in Saigon are quite… famous, police are regularly checking on them to make sure there are no illegal activities.

Ways to spot a place in Saigon Red Light District?

Red Light District in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), or anywhere else in Vietnam, is illegal. That’s why there will be no clear signs showing one. However, here are some ways to spot a place like that:

Appearance and Setup: Many places have tinted or frosted windows to ensure privacy. Heavy curtains or barriers at the entrance to block the view from outside.
Staff Behavior: Individuals (often women) standing outside to entice passersby to come in, sometimes calling out or approaching people directly.
Advertisements: Signs advertising “happy hours,” “special massages,” or similar services. Flyers or posters mentioning adult entertainment or services.

Please be strongly aware that these tips are used to avoid getting into such places. This article is to explain the Red Light District in Saigon, not to promote it.

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