ABOUT THE ADVENTURE
New Years Saigon Style
Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), or Saigon, has lots of New Years Eve activities. Many people head to Phố đi bộ Nguyễn Huệ, District 1's version of New York's Time Square. Others head up to rooftop bars spread across the city to spectate it all. The whole city is filled with music, excitement, and anticipation for the new year.
Saigon Time Square
Lots of people make their way to Saigon Times Square for the New Year. This year (well last year...), the city had set up a big stage at the end of the strip and had a live concert during the final hours of 2023. The roads get packed with people and at a certain point I got stuck in a sea of bumper to bumper motorbikes while trying to cross the street. Even once you get past the motorbikes, you still have to make your way through swarms of people. Trying to navigate downtown during the last couple of hours is ill-advised. Instead, I recommend camping out at the Saigon Times Square and bringing snacks and drinks with you. Another option is to camp out at a bar close by.
My NYE 2024!
New Years 2024 in Saigon, Vietnam was filled with ups-and-downs. Not only was I bringing in the new year, but it was my first time bringing in the new year abroad. I decided to spend NYE in Saigon, having imagined that it would be full of action, parties, and excitement. And it was! However, in my planning, I seemed to have lost sight of what I really value: intimate conversation and fun with friends. That week, my mom was supposed to come visit and bring the new years with me. Because she was coming, I had reserved a table at a rooftop bar off of the Bùi Viện walking street. When she ultimately didn't come due to visa issues, I decided to wander around the city in hopes of finding some expats to hang out with for the night. I didn't end up finding people (even after hitting up a hostel group chat) and retired to The View rooftop bar to claim my reservation! As soon as I got to The View I ordered a drink... even though I already had two glasses of wine coming with my reservation. Even though I brought in the new year alone, I had the best view in the whole restaurant and didn't take the moment for granted. I would definitely go again, but next time I'm bringing a friend. Now it's 2024 and in reflection, I brought in the new year in my own style... traveling the world and searching for my people and my place.
