I spent a night partying in Vietnam and found an empty dance floor with a few people getting high off balloons. Next time, I'd choose a different day of the week.

Marielle DescalsotaMay 5, 2023, 11:12 IST

Insider's author partying in Vietnam.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Saigon has a reputation for some of Asia's best nightlife.
I flew to the largest city in Vietnam to experience a popular club.

Vietnam's biggest city has garnered a reputation as one of the wildest cities to party in the world. It's where people drink, dance, and get high off "funky balloons" till the sun comes up — but somehow, I was still left disappointed.

Lush on a Tuesday night.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Vietnam's biggest city has garnered a reputation as one of the wildest cities to party in the world. It's where people drink, dance, and get high off "funky balloons" till the sun comes up — but somehow, I was still left disappointed.

While Saigon has dozens of places to party, I settled on Lush, a mid-range club. I initially thought it was closed when I visited on Sunday at around 10 p.m., as it looked like an inconspicuous restaurant from the outside. And, thanks to the club's sound-proof walls, the street was eerily quiet.

The exterior of Lush.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

While Saigon has dozens of places to party, I settled on Lush, a mid-range club. I initially thought it was closed when I visited on Sunday at around 10 p.m., as it looked like an inconspicuous restaurant from the outside. And, thanks to the club's sound-proof walls, the street was eerily quiet.

One of the most striking things about the club was the spirit house located near the entrance to the dance floor.

A spirit house by the doorway.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

The music, electronic-remixes of pop songs like Camilla Cabello's hit "Havana," blared loudly on the dance floor. But there were only around a dozen people inside.

The empty booths at the club.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

My friends and I posted up at the bar. It felt awkward with no one dancing, and it almost seemed like some people were on a date, rather than partying.

The dance floor.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

One activity that kept most people happy was inhaling laughing gas. On a banner, a message was written in Korean and English: "Free balloons until 11 p.m.!"

Couples on dates, drinking and inhaling laughing gas.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

My friends and I decided to grab a few drinks instead, which turned out to be fairly cheap but extremely strong.

The bar.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Despite the dead atmosphere, I still tried to have fun. I joined the only two partygoers on the dance floor but quickly felt out of place without a balloon in hand.

The author on the dance floor, with two other clubbers inhaling balloons in the background.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

At around midnight, the club got even emptier. All that was left were a few women dressed to the nines, empty booths, and security guards waiting for their shifts to end.

The empty dance floor.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

At around midnight, the club got even emptier. All that was left were a few women dressed to the nines, empty booths, and security guards waiting for their shifts to end.

Before leaving, I took a quick peek at the door behind the dance floor. It was empty, too, save for a couple playing pool, enjoying a quiet night by themselves.

The pool table behind the dance floor, with barely anyone there.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

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I spent a night partying in Vietnam and found an empty dance floor with a few people getting high off balloons. Next time, I'd choose a different day of the week.

Vietnam's biggest city has garnered a reputation as one of the wildest cities to party in the world. It's where people drink, dance, and get high off "funky balloons" till the sun comes up — but somehow, I was still left disappointed.

While Saigon has dozens of places to party, I settled on Lush, a mid-range club. I initially thought it was closed when I visited on Sunday at around 10 p.m., as it looked like an inconspicuous restaurant from the outside. And, thanks to the club's sound-proof walls, the street was eerily quiet.

One of the most striking things about the club was the spirit house located near the entrance to the dance floor.

The music, electronic-remixes of pop songs like Camilla Cabello's hit "Havana," blared loudly on the dance floor. But there were only around a dozen people inside.

My friends and I posted up at the bar. It felt awkward with no one dancing, and it almost seemed like some people were on a date, rather than partying.

One activity that kept most people happy was inhaling laughing gas. On a banner, a message was written in Korean and English: "Free balloons until 11 p.m.!"

My friends and I decided to grab a few drinks instead, which turned out to be fairly cheap but extremely strong.

Despite the dead atmosphere, I still tried to have fun. I joined the only two partygoers on the dance floor but quickly felt out of place without a balloon in hand.

At around midnight, the club got even emptier. All that was left were a few women dressed to the nines, empty booths, and security guards waiting for their shifts to end.

Before leaving, I took a quick peek at the door behind the dance floor. It was empty, too, save for a couple playing pool, enjoying a quiet night by themselves.