The 33-year-old Briton says: “My colleague explained that coffee was just an excuse. They wanted to meet up and hang out.”

It was the first time he had gone to have coffee at midnight though, after more than a year in Hanoi, he knew Vietnamese tend to be active late at night.

In London, U.K., shops close by 10 p.m., and people avoid going out late for safety reasons. Bars and pubs stay open later but usually close by 11 p.m.

In Vietnam Marek has been surprised to see people chatting and eating in parks, on sidewalks, at convenience stores, and along Long Bien Bridge at 1-2 a.m.

The busy Quang Ba flower market and packed pho and banh mi stalls at midnight have made him wonder “when Vietnamese people actually sleep.”

When Semyon Kuprianov, 37, of Russia first arrived in HCMC, he was shocked to see young people filling coffee shops and working through the night. He says something like this never happens in Moscow.

At first he thought they worked for foreign companies in different time zones, but the quiet focus, with only pages turning and keyboards clicking, made him think they were merely working late or studying.

“Vietnamese people like to get a change of scenery,” he suggests.

The two men are not the only foreigners to be surprised by Hanoi’s night culture.

Hundreds of social media users have shared videos of the city’s late-night activities. Clips of Quang Ba flower market at 2-3 a.m., people working in coffee shops or strolling through the old quarter at night draw millions of views.

Online searches by foreigners for “Nightlife Vietnam” are growing.

The night owl lifestyle is growing more common among Vietnamese youths.

A 2023 survey of more than 2,000 students from 80 high schools and universities found 66% usually going to bed after 11 p.m., 20% after midnight and 16% after 1 a.m.

A study by the HCMC Institute for Development Studies showed 40% of local businesses, mainly restaurants, bars, gyms, and 24-hour convenience stores, earn more than half of their daily revenues at night.

Nearly 83% plan to keep operating at night over the next three years, with 61.53% intending to expand their nighttime services.

Hoang Nghia Dat, CEO of travel agent VNA Travel, said nighttime tours are growing in popularity with international tourists, with favorite evening destinations in Hanoi including “Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam” (Temple of Literature), Hoa Lo Prison, night markets, and Old Quarter food tours.

“The rise of social media helps foreigners discover Hanoi’s nightlife outside of bars and clubs.”

Hong Van, owner of a sidewalk drinks stall on Quang An Street, Tay Ho Ward, says more than 60% of her customers over the past month have been foreigners, a first for her business.

“This neighborhood has always had many foreign residents, but few visited my stall. Now many stop by on their bicycles at night to enjoy the West Lake breeze until late.”

A 2024 survey by expat network Internations found Vietnam draws foreigners with its low cost of living, good job opportunities, scenic landscapes, and active nightlife. Many praised the mix of travel, food, and entertainment for helping them explore local culture.

Nguyen Tien Dat, vice chairman of the Hanoi Tourism Association, said nightlife is quiet in many European countries, with most tourist streets closing before 10 p.m.

“Vietnam, by contrast, offers a wide range of nighttime activities for visitors.”

Safety also makes Vietnam’s nightlife appealing. “In 2023, an Internations survey ranked Vietnam among the top 15 countries for expats, with the highest scores for safety and security,” he said.

Joe (far left), of France, drinks lemon tea with friends on a sidewalk in Tay Ho Ward, Hanoi, Sept. 2025. Photo courtesy of Joe

Geepee, 27, of Nigeria, says he rides his motorbike at night to unwind, meet friends at beer gardens in the old quarter, and sometimes work overnight in coffee shops.

In Nigeria, coffee is mainly a morning drink, and colleagues rarely meet in the evening except on special occasions, he says.

“In Vietnam, I enjoy sipping coffee, chatting or working in 24-hour cafes at night.”

Joe, 28, of France, who lives in Tay Ho Ward, Hanoi, says nightlife is one reason why he stays in Vietnam.

In France, most places close by 9 p.m., and bars do not fit his lifestyle. But in Vietnam, he often rides to West Lake after work to talk with colleagues.

“Staying up late used to stress me out. Since moving to Vietnam, late-night outings have become part of my lifestyle and a source of joy.”