Where is Pasteur Street Ho Chi Minh City?
Pasteur Street in Ho Chi Minh City is located in District 1, which is the central urban district of the city. It runs from north to south and intersects with several major streets. However, the one we are discussing in this article is a part of Pasteur Street, which crosses Huynh Thuc Khang Street.
This area is famous for a lot of night bars, attracting locals and tourists.
From a famous bar street of Saigon...
People love Pasteur Street because there’s always something exciting happening. You can find live music, DJs, and special-themed nights. Whether you want to have a quiet drink or dance until late, Pasteur Street has something for everyone.
Many of the bars and clubs on Pasteur Street have their unique charm, offering a range of atmospheres from laid-back lounges to energetic dance floors. This diversity makes it a perfect spot for groups with different preferences, as everyone can find a place they enjoy.
The street’s central location in District 1 also adds to its appeal, making it easily accessible for both locals and tourists. Its reputation as a nightlife hotspot continues to grow, drawing more visitors who are eager to experience the dynamic and lively scene.
...to the risk of red-light activities
Here is a recruiting ad of a bar on Pasteur Street:
“In needs to recruit FEMALE SERVICE 🌟Just need to have an ID card to work 🌟Female from 18-30 💁beautiful face, easy to see, not careful with experience, communication English (I don’t know if I will be trained and learn English for free) 🌟Fun, dynamic, high sense of responsibility, learning 🌟Work in a polite, friendly environment 💥 JOB DESCRIPTION -Receive or, serve drinking water to customers -Talk, be friendly with customers 💥WORKING TIME 💫full-time 👉19h-3h 👉20h-4h 👉21h-5h 💥part-time: I will negotiate working time to facilitate you to go to work 💥Hard salary + tips tap/hand + Commission, overtime (10,000,000 to 30,000,000/1 month, depending on your ability)”
Behind the vibrant nightlife, there are some darker aspects of Pasteur Street. On certain nights, some bars on this famous street adopt a more provocative atmosphere. Twice a week, some of the bar owners request that female staff members forgo wearing bras, and their outerwear consists of flimsy pieces of fabric that barely cover them as this way is “easy” to attract customers.
Due to these activities, locals and travelers to the city are rumoring that Pasteur Street is one of the Red Light Districts in Ho Chi Minh City, along with Bui Vien Street and Le Thanh Ton Street (Saigon Japan Town).
Although publicly waving for customers on the street, these girls seem to avoid the camera and even get angry if they are caught in one footage.
...and scams
Assaulting and robbing customers - Vixen Bar
On 24/12/2023, employees of Vixens bar at the address 96 Pasteur Street, for robbing a foreign tourist, Anderson Ethan Raymond. The incident occurred when the bar staff overcharged Raymond, and when he refused to pay, they forcibly restrained and coerced him into paying 2 million VND. Raymond later reported the incident to the police on January 9, 2024.
Be careful this bar has changed it name frequently, which will confuse visitors.
Credit card scam - Sweet Candy Bar
In a concerning incident reported on Reddit, an expat in Ho Chi Minh City fell victim to credit card fraud at Sweet Candy Lounge. After using their card at the lounge due to insufficient cash, they discovered a charge of $549.22 that they did not authorize. The individual suspects that their credit card information was compromised and urges others to exercise caution. The credit card dispute team is addressing the issue, but time zone differences have caused delays. This highlights the need for vigilance, especially for travelers.
Stealing - Red Light Bar
Recent reviews highlight alarming scams at Red Light Bar in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Patrons have reported being coerced into inviting bar staff for expensive drinks, leading to inflated bills of up to $1,000 for a few hours of service. Intoxicated customers risk having their wallets stolen. One patron was forced to pay nearly $800 to retrieve a held phone after an attempt to charge $1,100 to their card. Authorities are investigating these incidents, urging visitors to remain cautious.
How to avoid
Not all of the bars on Pasteur Street are bad. If you would like to go there, it is best to check reviews before visiting any specific bars. Try to avoid dark bars that don’t let you have a look inside, or with girls trying to invite you aggressively.
Or else, you can check our articles for the best Rooftop bars in Saigon, or Aussie bars to enjoy the nightlife of Ho Chi Minh City without worrying.
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