The rooftop bar named Saigon Saigon is where a Dutch photographer captured the image of dozens of people scrambling onto a helicopter leaving Saigon in April 1975.
British magazine Time Out selected the world’s 20 most impressive rooftop bars at the end of March, including Saigon Saigon, located on the 9th floor of the Caravelle Hotel, Lam Son Square, District 1. This is a place where visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Vietnam’s most vibrant city. “Sunset moments amidst the brightly lit buildings offer unforgettable experiences,” the magazine wrote.
Saigon Saigon opened with the Caravelle Hotel in 1959 and is noted to have remained almost unchanged since it served as a press center during the American War, a frequent haunt for war correspondents at the time.
The bar is also a location that witnessed historical moments. It was here that Dutch photographer and freelance journalist Hubert Van Es captured the moment Americans scrambled onto a helicopter leaving Saigon at 5 PM on April 29, 1975, on the rooftop of the Pittman Building, now the apartment building at 22 Ly Tu Trong Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
In an interview with foreign media nearly 20 years ago, Hubert Van Es said he used a 300mm lens, the best telephoto lens he had at the time, to record the historic moment from the roof of the Caravelle Hotel, which is today the Saigon Saigon bar.
“Imagine you’re a war correspondent in the 1960s, enjoy a cool Saigon Special beer brewed exclusively or a cocktail named Miss Saigon,” Time Out suggested.
Mr. Nguyen, a resident of Ho Chi Minh City who has visited the bar many times, said it has a long history, is centrally located, and is very suitable for bringing out-of-town friends to introduce them to the city. “Many people are surprised to learn about the information associated with a historical period of this place,” Mr. Nguyen said, adding that the bar has a beautiful view, is quiet, but not cheap.
A visitor from the US shared on Tripadvisor: “The space is very impressive, you can see the whole city, the cocktails are delicious, the service is good, and the music is great.”
Amidst the 50th anniversary of the country’s reunification, the bar is a recommended destination for visitors interested in exploring the past. Saigon Saigon is open all week, from 4 PM to 1 AM, with different music programs each day.
(According to Time Out, AP)