As tempted as I am to jump into the Saigon River on scorching afternoons, taking a dip in one of Saigon's many public pools is a much more logical (not to mention safer) option.
Before they released their great list of 15 of Saigon’s Hidden Cafes, Vietnam Coracle wrote a post - TOP 5: Public Swimming Pools in Saigon. These pools are located all across the city, so no matter where you work or reside, there’s probably at least one on this list that’s convenient for you.
(List is in ascending order)
5. Rach Mieu Pool (1 Hoa Phuong Street, Phu Nhuan District)
Opening Hours: 5:30am – 10:00am and 2:00pm – 7:30pm (closed Mondays)
Price: VND15,000
While the pool is solid, it ranks last due to “irritating regulations and opening times.” In addition to the open-air, Olympic-sized (50 meter) pool, there is a shallow, 25 meter counterpart for kids. Not only does the facility boast swimming lanes but also beautiful views of the Thi Nghe Canal and downtown Saigon.
Drawbacks include a lack of seating, “horrible” fast food and the fact that it’s closed in the middle of the day, making it impossible to find quiet time since the pool is always packed.
Oh, and men are forced to wear speedos so don’t show up in loose-fitting swim shorts.
4. Ky Dong Pool (40 Ky Dong Street, District 3)
Opening Hours: 6:00am – 5:00pm (closed Fridays)
Price: VND12,000
This is the value pick. Though this pool is 25 meters long, half the size of an Olympic-sized pool, it is the cheapest of the bunch in addition to being the quietest.
It’s nearly empty on Monday – Thursday from 11am – 2pm but it gets busy on the weekends (beware of loud electronic music) and the late afternoon.
Food and beverages are available as are deck chairs (VND10,000).
While clean, changing rooms are quite Spartan.
3. Hai Quan Pool (12B Nguyen Huu Canh Street, Binh Thanh District)
Opening Hours: 5:00am – 8:00pm
Price: VND25,000
Located along the banks of the Saigon River, this facility is owned by the Vietnamese Navy School. Like others on this list, it features an Olympic-sized pool in addition to a kid-friendly 25 meter pool.
Deck chairs are free and aplenty but changing facilities are poor so you should probably change before you get here.
The pool is empty on weekday afternoons but swimming classes kick-off at 3pm so best to get your laps in before then.
A bit tricky to find, the pool is located behind a large, multi-story restaurant.
2. Van Thanh Pool (48/10 Dien Bien Phu, Binh Thanh District)
Hours: 6:00am – 8:00pm
Price: VND40,000
This resort-style pool is on a small, verdant outcrop, surrounded by canals and ponds with plenty of trees and grass. The pool is just large enough to swim laps and they have a nice poolside restaurant and excellent changing rooms.
Not particularly local compared to others on this list, it’s a favorite for expats and Vietnamese families, meaning it can get a bit crowded (and loud) on the weekends.
The best part about this place is the escape-from-the-city factor.
1. Lam Son Pool (242 Tran Binh Trong Street, District 5)
Hours: 5:30am – 12:00pm and 1:00pm – 6:30pm (closed Mondays)
Price: VND18,000
Big, quiet, local and cheap, Lam Son is Vietnam Coracle’s top pool pick. Featuring both Olympic-sized and kid pools, there are no deck chairs but plenty of space to lay down your towel and take in the sun.
Flanked by a café which serves up fast food, the water is very clean and the place is quiet, even on the weekends.
Sadly, changing facilities are subpar so changing pool-side is your best bet. But the upside is the place is nearly deserted between 10am and 2pm.
The entrance is recessed so keep an eye out for the sign which reads: “CÂU LẠC BỘ BƠI LỘI LAM SƠN.”
View TOP 5 SWIMMING POOLS, SAIGON in a larger map
Do you have any awesome pools to add to this list?
[Photo via Fadzly Mubin]
