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Five top picks for any palate or budget in District 1

Saigon’s wine bar scene

District 1 has a surprisingly deep wine culture, built by decades of French influence and a wave of serious importers who’ve set up shop within a few blocks of the Renaissance Riverside Hotel. This guide mixes the two things you need for a good wine night: places to drink a glass right now, and shops worth a stop if you want to bring a bottle back to your room or home.

How to use this guide

  • The first and last few stops are restaurants and wine bars where you can sit down and order by the glass.
  • The middle stretch is retail wine shops and merchants worth browsing even if you’re not buying, since staff are generally happy to talk you through a bottle.
  • Everything on this list sits within a 10-minute taxi or a comfortable walk of Dong Khoi and Hai Ba Trung.

Good to know

Retail wine in Vietnam carries steep import duty, so bottle prices run higher than you’d expect elsewhere in Southeast Asia — by-the-glass at the bars is usually the better value if you’re just there for a drink.

The Pins

01

The Refinery Restaurant Start close to the hotel with a proper sit-down glass — a French wine list in a converted colonial courtyard.

The Refinery Restaurant

Wine Bar · District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

11:00–23:00 daily +84 28 3823 0509

The Refinery offers French brasserie and wine bar dining. It sits on Hai Bà Trưng in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The restaurant occupies a courtyard space. This space once served as the city’s opium manufactory, built in 1881. An archway provides access from the main street. The venue features a large, covered outdoor terrace. An indoor dining room also welcomes guests. The interior design retains original architectural elements. The historic building’s charm remains.

The kitchen prepares classic French bistro cuisine. The menu lists dishes like steak frites. Guests can also enjoy pâté de campagne and onion soup. The restaurant offers cheese and charcuterie platters. A separate brunch menu is available on weekends. The bar provides an extensive wine list. It includes both Old and New World selections. Patrons can order many wines by the glass. The restaurant serves a daily set lunch menu with multiple courses.

The setting recalls a traditional Paris bistro style. Custom-made furniture and specific lighting create the atmosphere. The space splits between the main indoor area and the al fresco terrace. The courtyard location provides a quieter environment. It sits away from street traffic. The restaurant is near the Park Hyatt Saigon hotel. It ranks among several dining spots in the restored colonial compound.

The Refinery welcomes locals, expatriates, and tourists. It accommodates various dining formats. Guests enjoy casual lunches or more formal dinners. The venue regularly organizes food and wine pairing events. The restaurant maintains consistent operating hours. It has been a long-standing establishment in the city’s dining scene.

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74 Hai Bà Trưng, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam

02

Annam Gourmet From there, step into Saigon's biggest Western wine and grocery store to see the retail side of the scene.

Annam Gourmet

Wine Bar · District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

07:00–21:00 daily 0902668876

Annam Gourmet sits on Hai Bà Trưng Street. This location is in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1. It offers a gourmet food market and a café. The ground floor holds a high-end grocery store. It sells many imported European and international foods. Shoppers find cheeses, cold cuts, and fine wines. The market also stocks various packaged goods. It provides organic produce and gluten-free items too.

French-Vietnamese entrepreneurs founded Annam Gourmet. It began as a small shop. Now it ranks among the city’s well-known retail chains. The building’s first floor houses the Annam Café. This space operates as a casual restaurant. It also functions as a coffee shop. The café serves fresh pastries and coffee. Its menu lists many light meals. Diners can buy wine or cheese from the market. They enjoy these selections at the café. The eatery prepares cheese and cold cut platters.

The café provides a dining spot for grocery shoppers. Locals know it for its daily lunch buffet. This buffet serves diverse dishes. It caters to many international tastes. The menu lists items like panini sandwiches. It also offers fresh, crisp salads. The space includes an indoor dining area. Large windows overlook the street intersection. This environment suits casual meals or coffee breaks. Expatriates and local residents frequent Annam Gourmet. They seek its specialty food items.

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16-18 Hai Bà Trưng, Bến Nghé, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

03

Cork and Bottle Back to drinking — a 200-bottle wine bar built for lingering, with a happy hour worth timing your visit around.

Cork and Bottle

Wine Bar · District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Cork and Bottle is a wine bar on Thái Văn Lung in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The establishment offers a selection of international wines served by the glass or bottle. It sits in a central area known for its high concentration of restaurants and bars. The venue provides a quiet space away from the main street’s activity.

The bar’s collection includes wines from various global regions. The menu features red wines from France and white wines from New Zealand. Staff can also create custom beverages based on guest preferences. A food menu of light snacks is available to accompany the drinks. The kitchen prepares cheese and meat platters designed for sharing.

The interior space has an intimate and artistic design. Warm lighting and brickwork define the decor. The venue caters to small groups and individuals seeking a relaxed setting. It is part of a national brand with other locations in Hanoi and Da Nang. The bar also provides services for private events and wine catering.

Cork and Bottle is situated a short distance from prominent city landmarks. The bar’s facade features green climbing plants over antique-style brick. It aims to provide an accessible wine experience. The venue attracts both local residents and international visitors in the neighborhood.

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7 Thái Văn Lung, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

04

WeWine Next, a dedicated wine shop with over 1,000 labels, for anyone comparing retail prices before committing to a bottle.

WeWine

Wine Bar · District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

WeWine is a wine and spirits retailer on Lê Thánh Tôn in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The shop is the retail brand of Da Loc, a company which began importing wine in 1995. This location is one of several WeWine showrooms operating across Vietnam. The store provides a selection of wines from international producers. Staff offer guidance on the shop’s collection.

The retailer stocks more than 1,000 types of wine and spirits. Its portfolio represents over 50 producers from ten countries. These countries include France, Italy, Spain, Chile, and Australia. The selection features red, white, rosé, sparkling, and sweet wines. The shop also carries spirits like whisky, cognac, and gin. All products are imported directly from the manufacturers.

WeWine is the new brand identity for the retail arm established in 2020. The parent company, Da Loc, was among the first private enterprises licensed to import and distribute wine in Vietnam. The company employs a team of sommeliers to curate its selection. It also organizes events for customers, including wine tastings and wine dinners. The shop itself is a modern retail space designed for browsing the extensive collection.

The Lê Thánh Tôn branch serves a central business district. It stocks a range of price points, from everyday bottles to premium labels. The store also sells wine accessories, such as glassware and openers. The brand focuses on connecting customers with global wine culture through its curated products and educational events. The location provides a direct point of sale for the company’s large distribution network.

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17/12 Lê Thánh Tôn, Phường Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

05

Warehouse – Lê Thánh Tôn A few doors on, one of the city's biggest wine merchants — useful if the last shop didn't have what you were after.

Warehouse – Lê Thánh Tôn

Wine Bar · District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

09:00–21:00 daily 0903891966

The Warehouse is a wine and spirits retailer located in an alley at 15/5 Lê Thánh Tôn in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The shop is part of a larger chain established in 2001, operating under the Annam Group. This branch provides a retail space for a wide selection of imported wines and spirits. The store’s portfolio includes wines from various international regions, including France, Italy, Australia, and Chile.

The shop stocks over 1,500 different labels. The selection covers red, white, and sparkling wines, alongside a range of spirits. The company sources its products from more than 80 global suppliers. Customers can purchase individual bottles or cases. The store serves both private consumers and wholesale clients, such as hotels and restaurants. The Lê Thánh Tôn location is one of several branches in Ho Chi Minh City.

In addition to beverages, The Warehouse is the exclusive distributor in Vietnam for Schott Zwiesel crystal glassware from Germany. The store presents its products on shelves for direct customer browsing. The company maintains a nationwide distribution network across Vietnam, Cambodia, and Myanmar. Staff are available on-site to provide information about the products. The retail space is compact and focuses entirely on its beverage and glassware offerings.

The parent company, The Warehouse, has grown to become a significant wine importer and distributor in the country. The brand operates stores in major cities including Hanoi and Da Nang. This specific location on Lê Thánh Tôn sits within the area known as Saigon’s Japan Town. It offers a focused shopping experience for wine and spirits enthusiasts in the city center.

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15/5 Lê Thánh Tôn, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam

06

Red Apron 2 Chu Mạnh Trinh – Wine Shop Round out the shopping stretch here, where the selection runs deepest and there's a wine school upstairs if you want to go further.

Red Apron 2 Chu Mạnh Trinh – Wine Shop

Wine Bar · District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

08:00–22:00 daily 028 3822 8260

Red Apron is a wine shop on Chu Mạnh Trinh Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The store is one of several locations in a national retail chain. It offers a selection of over 3,000 wines and spirits. The collection includes wines from major international regions. Countries represented include France, Italy, Spain, Australia, and the USA. The shop stocks red, white, rosé, and sparkling wines. It also carries Champagne, fortified wines, and spirits.

The store’s inventory ranges from everyday drinking wines to premium vintages. It sources products from both large, established brands and smaller family-owned wineries. In addition to beverages, the shop sells wine accessories and glassware. The company provides services like home delivery and wine consulting for retail customers. Red Apron also assembles gift boxes and hampers for corporate or individual clients. The retail space is designed as a boutique for browsing the extensive collection.

The building at 2 Chu Mạnh Trinh also houses the Red Apron Wine School. The school occupies the sixth floor of the building. It offers internationally recognized wine qualifications, including WSET certifications. Tutored wine courses and masterclasses are available for enthusiasts and professionals. These educational events often include guided tastings. The school provides tailored programs and private sessions for groups.

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2 Chu Mạnh Trinh, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

07

Tables 157 – Dine.Wine.Share Shift back to the table for a contemporary dine-and-share concept built around pairing food with wine.

Tables 157 – Dine.Wine.Share

Wine Bar · District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

17:30–23:00 daily +84 76 991 1157

Tables 157 is a contemporary grill and wine restaurant on Đồng Khởi Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The restaurant’s name refers to its street address and a philosophy of shared dining. It serves modern Mediterranean cuisine with European and Asian influences. Chef Hồng leads the kitchen, focusing on a concept centered on shared plates and conversation.

The menu consists of small to medium sharing plates that change with the seasons. The kitchen uses fire and embers as a primary cooking technique. It prepares charcoal-grilled vegetables and proteins. Dishes incorporate distinct flavors like burnt lemon, confit garlic, and fermented chili oil. All offerings depend on daily market availability, rather than a fixed formula.

The restaurant offers a curated wine list that emphasizes balance and drinkability. The selection highlights wines from small producers and minimal-intervention vineyards. It includes bottles from both old and new world regions. The staff provides recommendations to pair wines with the food menu. The beverage program complements the dining experience.

The interior design blends dark industrial elements with subtle colonial influences. The space features stained metals, natural finishes, and soft lighting to create its atmosphere. The venue accommodates both casual group dinners and more intimate dates. It sits in a central location near the Saigon Opera House.

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157 Đồng Khởi, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 70000, Vietnam

08

iBERICO – TAPAS y VINO Thi Sach Finish with Spanish tapas and a Spanish-leaning wine list — a good last stop if you want dinner, not just a nightcap.

iBERICO – TAPAS y VINO Thi Sach

Wine Bar · District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

iBERICO – TAPAS y VINO is a Spanish tapas bar and restaurant on Thi Sách Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The restaurant serves traditional Spanish cuisine with a focus on shared plates. It operates a second location in the Thảo Điền area of the city. The Thi Sách venue sits in a central district known for international dining options.

The menu features classic Spanish tapas, charcuterie, and larger main courses. The kitchen prepares signature items like Gambas al Ajillo and Ibérico ham croquetas. It also serves imported Spanish meats and cheeses, including Jamón Ibérico and Manchego. The restaurant offers several types of paella, a rice dish prepared in a large pan. The bar pours Spanish wines and mixes cocktails like Sangria.

The restaurant received the official ‘Restaurant from Spain’ certification. This certification recognizes authentic Spanish cuisine outside of Spain. The interior space has a warm color palette and a prominent bar area. Seating is available indoors and at tables on the sidewalk. The venue caters to both small groups and larger parties for dinner.

The establishment focuses on Iberian ingredients and traditional cooking methods. Staff carve the cured hams to order for service. The wine list provides pairings for the food menu. The restaurant offers a distinct Spanish dining format in the city center.

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20A Thi Sách, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam