Why is Ho Chi Minh City 海底撈 popular? The 海底撈 experience Vietnamese locals and Chinese-speaking travelers both want to try.
8/28/2026
Their hometown may also have 海底撈—so why do travelers still want to eat it in Ho Chi Minh City? This article summarizes local Vietnamese flavors, group-dining services, price observations, and two convenient District 1 branches.
Ho Chi Minh City clearly has phở, grilled meat rice noodles and bánh mì, so why do people still often meet friends at 海底撈 in the evening? And why do travelers from Hong Kong, Taiwan or mainland China, whose hometowns already have the same brand, still want to eat in Vietnam? The answer is not just a familiar pot of soup but the social dining atmosphere, local menu, mall nightlife, and prices that are more attractive to many travelers.
海底撈 isn’t traditional Vietnamese food, but sitting around a lẩu pot to eat slowly, chat and share fits Vietnamese dining habits. Malls have air conditioning and allow long conversations; the four-compartment pot can cater to different tastes—those who dislike spicy food, meat lovers, or those who want seafood or vegetables—making it convenient for friends, couples and families.
What Vietnamese people like is not just hot pot.
A meal that’s interactive, without needing to compromise on taste.
A four-compartment pot can let you choose mala, tomato, bone/mushroom or a light broth at the same time so everyone eats what they like. Waiting-area snacks, drinks, table-side service, noodle-pulling shows, photo assistance or manicures are also commonly mentioned in traveler reviews and social shares; whether these services are offered, free, or require a reservation varies by branch, time slot and promotions. This feeling of “dining is also an evening activity” is one reason Haidilao attracts young people to gather.[1]
Beyond the classic broths, there are also local Vietnamese options.
Ho Chi Minh City menus have the familiar tomato pot, mala pot, bone broth and mushroom broth, and you can also see ginseng lotus-seed chicken soup, Vietnamese-style pork loin, ginger-lemongrass shrimp, tropical fruit tea and coconut-milk matcha among the choices.[2] For a first time eating in Vietnam, tomato or mushroom broth paired with a compartment of mala is a safer combination.
User-submitted photos of dining tables show the four-compartment pot, meats, seafood, tofu skin and vegetables; the condiment station’s snacks, spices and sauces are also a popular part of people’s photo shares. Recently some community posts even spotted durian in the fruit area. Fruit, serving times, self-service areas and charging rules may be adjusted, so treat them as in-store surprises and don’t expect every branch to have the same fruit every day.
Is Haidilao in Vietnam cheaper than in Hong Kong or China? First, look using the correct method.
Many travelers feel Haidilao in Ho Chi Minh City is “more cost-effective,” a perception that holds more when compared with Hong Kong. Mainland China Haidilao’s overall per-capita spending for the first half of 2026 was 人民幣 97 元; the Hong Kong/Macao/Taiwan region’s per-capita spending was 人民幣 196.6 元.[3] Google Maps shows the reference price range for the two District 1 Haidilao branches in Ho Chi Minh City as approximately 每人 200,000–800,000 越南盾, so relative to Hong Kong the sense of high value-for-money is easy to understand.[4] [5]
However, you can’t directly conclude Vietnam is always cheaper than mainland China. Ho Chi Minh City’s map price ranges overlap with mainland China averages; number of people, meat platters, pot compartment choices, drinks, promotions and self-service area rules all change the bill. A more accurate statement is: if two or three people share, order common meat platters and local drinks, some travelers will find Vietnam’s total cost easier to control; if you order many high-priced meats or seafood, it may not be cheaper than mainland China.
Their hometown may also have 海底撈—so why do travelers still want to eat there once?
It’s well suited as a mid-trip break. After spending the day visiting District 1 attractions, cafés or shopping streets, when you want to sit in an air-conditioned place to chat and don’t want to study another menu, the familiar four-compartment pot is reassuring. The same brand’s broths, meats, drinks, fruits and service flow won’t be identical across countries; even if you end up ordering tomato and mala broths, you’ll be eating a version with a Vietnamese local rhythm.
Two convenient 海底撈 branches in District 1.
NOWZONE Fashion Mall: a late-night dinner option on the west side of the city center.
Google Maps shows the Nowzone branch can take reservations or join a waitlist, currently listed as open as late as 04:00. If you want a late hot pot after wandering around 范五老, Bùi Viện or the west side of the city center, check the day’s waitlist first.
Vincom Đồng Khởi: in the heart of District 1, eat right after shopping.
This one is located around Đồng Khởi/Lê Thánh Tôn, suitable for dinner after city-center shopping, cafés or riverside activities. Google Maps likewise lists reservation or waitlist options, currently showing hours as late as 04:00; actual times and queue conditions should follow the branch’s day-of announcements.
After eating, set aside some relaxation time for the trip.
Hot pot can be satisfying, but after walking all day and eating a hot meal your feet and neck/shoulders are often tired. Back in District 1 you can book a Vietnamese-style head-wash massage at Win Royal Spa to comfortably close out the trip. For the full experience choose the 皇家越式洗頭套餐（120 分鐘）, which includes a full Vietnamese-style head wash, hot stone and essential-oil services.
- Opening hours: 09:00–23:00.
- Address: [48 Lê Thị Hồng Gấm, Phường Nguyễn Thái Bình, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh（Win Royal Spa）](https://maps.app.goo.gl/BH8PD6BGtD6wU7ub7).
- Thoughtful service: free luggage storage provided.
Sources
1] [Tripadvisor：Haidilao, Ho Chi Minh City
2] [Haidilao Vietnam：Menu Haidilao
4] [Haidilao Huoguo 海底撈火鍋 Nowzone：Google Maps
5] [Haidilao Huoguo 海底撈火鍋 Vincom Đồng Khởi：Google Maps
Information verified to August 2026. Branches, opening hours, menus, waitlist services, promotions, self-service area offerings and charging rules may all change; before you go, check the branch’s latest announcements and follow on-site explanations.
