The Word - Ho Chi Minh City

When it comes to consulates, Ho Chi Minh City has them in swathes. But on the embassy front, you’re going to have to head to the capital, unless you don’t mind getting your consular services over a glass of wine.

The first time I met Erina — aka Yokusou Gyo (“bathtub fish”) aka Sakana-chan (“fish girl”) — she was dreamily twirling through spotlights at a body art exhibition at Saigon Outcast, with white paint and almost nothing else on, an ethereal, dream-like performance set to jazz vocals. Later on, she dressed in a schoolgirl costume and ran around from one person to another asking, “Do you have Facebook?” I did.

Or is it the fall? Karen Hewell and Nick Ross do a tour of the growing swathes of lounge bars to find out why catering for lounge lizards is all the rage. Photos by Nick Ross 

New to the cruise and booze scene is Last Call, where artisan cocktails take centre stage in the well-appointed downtown hotspot of 59 Dong Du, Q1.

Join a grand celebration of good friends, good spirits and good liquor at the opening of Saigon's newest Irish Bar and Restaurant, McSorley's on Saturday Oct. 13 from 8pm.