Rex

The rooftop bar of the Rex Hotel is on every HCM City list, but you go mainly for the sense of history: the hotel was the place of the U.S.’s infamous military briefings during the Vietnam War (known as the “five o’clock follies”) and many a journalist congregated at the bar after they were done. It’s a massive place with quirky design touches (think topiary animals and tons of bird cages), a soundtrack that heavily features Abba and Ace of Bace (unless there’s a live band playing) and a long list of mixed drinks.