One of the things to put on your bucket list when visiting Saigon is to experience the hair service at a local barbershop. I have three reasons to confidently make this recommendation. First, the hairdressers here are skilled. You can expect a trendy hairstyle or a good hair trimming to enhance what you have already. Second, the price is quite reasonable. Imagine walking around Saigon with a new hairstyle, maybe even better than what you can get in your hometown, that is five times cheaper! Third, when you’re in a new country, it’s fun and informative to understand basic facets of a culture- like cutting your hair.
Which salon should you trust among hundreds of places in Saigon? You will find your answer in this article! From female to male barber shops loved by a lot of locals and the expat community, I will cover them all here!
Female Hair Salons
Let’s start with the ladies!
Compared to the professional male barbershops in Saigon, the female hair salon is bustling! This is likely because the ladies love spending their leisure time at the hair salon. Sometimes I take a trip to the salon to have my hair washed together with a neck massage. Ladies, here are some specific names that I trust:
Amida Hair
What I adore the most about Amida Hair is their fantastic hair-washing service! Two years ago, I went to this salon to wait for my best friend while she got her hair dyed. To kill the time, I tried their services and fell in love with the smell of a Japanese shampoo they use called Keys. Not only did they wash and dry my hair but I also got a great head, neck and arm massage. For all of these services, it was only 150,000 VND. This price is a little higher than what you would find in a normal local shop, which I usually visit, but it’s reasonable for such services. Another thing that I like about this place is their friendly yet professional staff. They made me feel welcome the moment I stepped inside until I walked out.
Amida Hair also offers many other services such as cut, dye, bleach, perm, straightening, and more. Since this place is quite successful with word-of-mouth marketing, it’s always busy. If you don’t want to wait for long, it’s better to book a slot through their Facebook page or phone number.
MORE INFORMATION
Address: 55 Nguyen Cu Trinh, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, District 1
Phone number: 090 242 20 09
Opening hours: 9 AM – 8:30 PM
Website: Amida Hair
Price:
Haircut: 200,000 – 400,000 VND
Color: 550,000 – 3,000,000 VND
Shampoo – blow dry: 150,000 – 350,000
Straightening/Curl: 450,000 – 1,200,000 VND
Rose’s Bang Salon
Those looking for a stand-out place that expertly colors hair should definitely check out Rose’s Bang Salon. This place is trusted by many female expats and locals living in Saigon. My first impression upon walking inside is the bright and spacious room with modern design. Rose’s Bang Salon is famous for Olaplex service, which is a therapy to dye, straighten or curl your hair without damaging it. From the outstanding ombre technique to the impressive dip dye, you will leave satisfied when looking at your smooth and shiny outcome after they finish their work.
Mr. Bang, the owner, and his staff are the real hair artists in the industry! Once you decide to be their customer, you will always want to come back for more.
MORE INFORMATION
Address: 294 Nguyen Thien Thuat, Ward 3, Dist 3
Phone number: 090 833 85 98
Opening hours: 9 AM – 9 PM
Facebook: Rose’s Bang Salon
Price:
Haircut: 250,000 – 300,000 VND
Color: 800,000 – 3,500,000 VND
Shampoo – blow dry: : 250,000
Straightening/Curl: 800,000 – 3,000,000 VND
Salon De Sunny
This group of professional hairdressers from Korea gather together at Salon De Sunny with a mission to flatter your beautiful hair and bring out the best you have to offer.
The best way to make over your image is to change your hair. Even if you don’t know which style suits you the most, just come over and talk to the hair stylists at Salon De Sunny, they will give you the best advice with their extensive experience. This is also the address to note for those of you who wish to restore your damaged hair. Their exclusive hair and head spa service is a cocktail treat for your hair, making it stunning again. The price for this service is a little bit upscale (from 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 VND) but it is worth every cent.
Furthermore, you can try highlighting your hair or perfecting your roots here. A lot of locals and expats who have done something with their hair here are now officially Salon De Sunny fans and loyal customers. Are you going to be the next one?
MORE INFORMATION
Address: 741A1 Nguyen Van Cu, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, District 1
Phone number: 096 184 77 70
Opening hours: 9 AM – 9 PM
Facebook: Salon De Sunny
Price:
Haircut: 200,000 – 280,000 VND
Color: 600,000 – 1,400,000 VND
Straightening/Curl: 800,000 – 3,000,000 VND
ACE London Hair
Nothing can bust my bad mood than going shopping or changing my hairstyle. ACE London Hair is one of the places I trust the most. The very first thing that I fancy about this salon is their cool design with white brick walls, pastel curtains, and perfect lighting. What matters the most is the awesome work carried out by the ACE London Hair team. It’s hard to find someone to trust completely with something as precious as my hair. But I decided to trust ACE London last year to re-style my long hair to a short crop, and I was amazed by the cute bob I left with. Since then, ACE London Hair is on my top list of recommendations.
In addition, no one can understand a European better than a European! My friends who have blond hair are also fond of ACE London because owners Michael and Chiyono know how to treat their blond hair right, without burning or ruining it. Regardless of the Western price list, this is a must-go place if you want to have a hair makeover.
MORE INFORMATION
Address: 98 Nguyen Trai, District 1
Phone number: 028 6683 3059
Opening hours: 10 AM – 8 PM
Facebook: ACE London Hair
Price:
Haircut: 500,000 – 2,200,000 VND
Color: 700,000 – 2,200,000 VND
Olaplex Therapy: 200,000 – 1,200,000 VND
Moisture Repair Treatment: 800,000 VND
Quynh Salon
I first knew about Quynh Salon for having a good body massage with hot stones in Saigon. By observing, I have to agree that the hairdressers here are the masters of layering hair. Not only do they style hair, they also offer body and facial massages, and even nail services too. The price before tips is rational. Depending on how long your service takes, you should tip the staff 50,000 to 100,000 VND.
However, the only downgrade about Quynh Salon is their location. It’s not located in the city center so you will have to travel 15 minutes by bike to District 2, where there are many fantastic coffee shops and restaurants in the area. Therefore, if you have a free day on your schedule, it’s a good idea to explore this part of the city and make an appointment at Quynh Salon to get a new haircut and pamper yourself.
MORE INFORMATION
Address: 104a Xuan Thuy Street, Thao Dien Ward, District 2
Phone number: 0903 710 873
Opening hours: 9 AM – 9 PM
Price:
Haircut: 50,000 – 80,000 VND
Color: 500,000 – 1,800,000 VND
Shampoo – blow dry: 90,000 – 120,000 VND
Straightening/Curl: 800,000 – 2,000,000 VND
Male Barber Shops
If the girls go to the hairdressers to look prettier and kill their bad mood (and bad hair day), the guys go to a barbershop to socialize and talk shop. There they can have a new hairstyle while watching a match of soccer and/or chat with their friends about life, sports, and such. My dad once told me that a true barber shop to a guy is like a world without women, where they walk in and act as a youngblood and walk out in the shape of a real gentleman. This is why some barber shops even serve iced scotch in order to please their customers.
In the past, the male barber shops were quite underrated. You could find a shop in a small house or just get your hair cut by a vendor on the street. The barbers would offer you some basic styles like simple short, classical side sweep, or buzz cut. However, the scenery has changed in recent years. There are a few beautiful concept barber shops that have been successful in affirming their brand equity and service in the hearts and minds of customers. Here are a few I recommend:
Old Fashioned Barber Shop
Whenever my male friends ask me for the address of the best barber shop in Saigon to flatter their handsomeness, I always say Old Fashioned Barber Shop without any hesitation. The golden scissors of Nhat and Khoa have never failed in making a guy look good. More than just a barber, the talented guys at Old Fashioned Barber Shop are the real hairstylists I have to say. If you have no idea what haircut to get, just simply book an appointment and sit down on the chair and tell them to make magic happen.
You can picture the grooming process like this: First and foremost it’s consulting. Next, they will cut, wash, and dry your hair. Finally, their expert fingers will dive into the pomade to style and shape your hair. Khoa and Nhat pay attention to even the smallest details to make the final outcome a perfect one. I have noticed that many places usually forget to neaten the bottom outline on the back of your neck, which ruins a perfect haircut. But Khoa and Nhat do their job and pay attention to this smallest detail to shave your neck and make the end of your haircut sharp. This is what makes them stand out from other places.
MORE INFORMATION
Address: 796/7 Truong Sa, Ward 14, District 3
Phone number: 0868.050.360
Opening hours: 9 AM – 5 PM
Website: Old Fashioned Barber Shop
Price:
Haircut: 150,000 VND
Shave: 30,000 VND
House of Barbaard
Having one’s hair chopped off is not a habit, it’s a lifestyle! In realizing the high-demand of a truly elegant barber shop, House Of Barbaard (HoB) was established by two expats who have a strong passion for grooming, Tom and Guido. This place quickly became famous in expat and local communities for delivering a top notch service. From scissor cuts, fades and cool pompadour styling and the classic hot towel shave, these guys care about appearance. Would you fancy a cocktail, whiskey or a customized drink inspired by your current mood? Consult the bartender at HoB in-house lounge and sit down with your refreshment for your haircut.
An extraordinary service comes with a price! The HoB rate is quite upscale compared to other barber shops in town but again, it’s reasonable considering the quality and service. For example, when you pay 400,000 VND (20 USD) for a haircut, you will also receive homemade Dutch snacks and complimentary drinks (with the choice of whiskey, beer, water, or tea).
MORE INFORMATION
Address: 12/4B Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Da Kao, District 1
Phone number: 028 7772 7737
Opening hours: 10 AM – 11:30 PM
Website: House of Barbaard Saigon
Price:
Haircut: 400,000 VND
Shave / Beard Trim: 250,000 VND
Cut & Shave 600,000 VND