Saigon is easy to have fun in and harder to make friends in, and residents' advice is consistent: skip the bars, pick a hobby group, and keep showing up. Groups live in Facebook groups and on apps like Reclub and Luma rather than on websites, and the heat pushes most of them to early mornings and evenings. These are the ones we could confirm are running, each with the source we checked it against.
New here? Start with these
- 1RUNCLUB
Beginners to marathoners from 20-plus countries, paced so nobody is left behind.
- 2Buddies English & Social Nights
Four nights a week, the price of a drink, and as many locals as foreigners.
- 3Vietnam Leaders Toastmasters
An open speaking club with a fixed Sunday-morning slot.
The week in Ho Chi Minh City
Every session that happens on the same day each week, in Ho Chi Minh City time. Organisers move sessions for the season and holidays, so check their channel before you go.
Monday
- 7:00 PM RUNCLUBStrength and social run · Sala
- 7:00 PM Buddies English & Social NightsTay Son Coffee, 198 Vo Thi Sau, District 3
Wednesday
- 7:00 PM RUNCLUBIntervals · District 7
Friday
- 7:00 PM Buddies English & Social NightsTay Son Coffee, 198 Vo Thi Sau, District 3
Saturday
- 6:00 AM Founders Running Club Ho Chi Minh CityEvery Half Coffee Roasters, 62 Hoang The Thien, Sala
- 6:30 AM RUNCLUBSocial run · Sala
- 4:00 PM Buddies English & Social NightsTay Son Coffee, 198 Vo Thi Sau, District 3
Sunday
- 4:00 PM Buddies English & Social NightsTay Son Coffee, 198 Vo Thi Sau, District 3
- 5:00 PM RUNCLUBLong run in pace teams · Sala
Running clubs in Ho Chi Minh City
Free group runs are the easiest way in: same time every week, every pace welcome, coffee after.
RUNCLUB
ClubSaigon's running community since 2013, for beginners to marathoners from more than 20 countries. Sessions are paced by time and effort, and the group loops back so nobody is left behind; Saturday's run is the social one.
- Mondays · 7:00 PM — Strength and social run — Sala
- Wednesdays · 7:00 PM — Intervals — District 7
- Saturdays · 6:30 AM — Social run — Sala
- Sundays · 5:00 PM — Long run in pace teams — Sala
Source: RUNCLUB: training schedule (Nov 2026) · checked Nov 2026
Founders Running Club Ho Chi Minh City
ClubFounders, tech and creative people, and friends
An easy Saturday run at your own pace or with a pacer, then coffee and informal networking. Aimed at founders and people in tech and creative work; friends, family and pets welcome.
- Saturdays · 6:00 AM — Every Half Coffee Roasters, 62 Hoang The Thien, Sala
Source: Create With: Founders Running Club Ho Chi Minh City (Sep 2026) · checked Nov 2026
Book clubs and language exchanges in Ho Chi Minh City
Monthly book clubs and language exchanges.
Volunteering in Ho Chi Minh City
Shelters and causes that run on regular volunteers.
Saigon Children's Charity
Public programmeA charity supporting disadvantaged children's education. Volunteers register interest and are matched to openings, from supporting at a distance to running a school club.
Source: Saigon Children's Charity: May 2026 role supporting its volunteer programme (May 2026) · checked Nov 2026
Public speaking and professional groups in Ho Chi Minh City
Toastmasters clubs and professional networks that meet on a fixed schedule.
Vietnam Leaders Toastmasters
ClubA public-speaking club chartered in 2016, open to anyone, with online attendance allowed. Guests visit free.
- Sundays · 8:55 AM — 2nd and 4th Sundays — Unibean Cafe, 9F International Plaza, 85/1 Nguyen Phi Khanh, District 1
Source: Toastmasters: Vietnam Leaders (Nov 2026) · checked Nov 2026
Saigon Dynamics Toastmasters Club
ClubA new public-speaking club, chartered in January 2026 and open to anyone.
- Saturdays · 1:45 PM — 1st and 3rd Saturdays — Unibean Coffee, 85/1 Nguyen Phi Khanh, District 1
Source: Toastmasters: Saigon Dynamics (Nov 2026) · checked Nov 2026
HCM Toastmasters Club
ClubA public-speaking club chartered in 2015 and open to anyone.
- Saturdays · 1:45 PM — 1st and 3rd Saturdays — A&M Coffee House, 25A Cao Thang
Source: Toastmasters: HCM Toastmasters (Nov 2026) · checked Nov 2026
Where groups in Ho Chi Minh City actually live
- Facebook groups
- Where most clubs, language exchanges and book clubs post. Search the activity plus 'Saigon' or 'HCMC', and check the date of the last post.
- Reclub
- The app residents use to book pickleball, football and group runs, and to see who else is coming.
- Luma and Meetup
- Luma carries startup and social events; Meetup still lists some language exchanges.
- Newer social collectives announce events here.
- The heat sets the clock: running groups go out at 6 to 6:30 in the morning or after 7 in the evening, and social events start after work.
- Expat-friendly groups cluster in Thao Dien and Sala across the river, and in Districts 1 and 3.
The unsaid rules
What residents say about making friends here, and the legal lines a group should not cross.
Pick a hobby group, not a bar
Asked how to make friends, residents say the same thing: join a hobby group, find it on Facebook or Luma, and go back until the faces are familiar. Bars and dating apps come a distant second.
Sources: r/saigon: how to make friends here? (Oct 2026); r/saigon: Socializing in Saigon (May 2026)
Pickleball is the city's social sport
The most repeated tip on r/saigon is to play pickleball: book a game through the Reclub app, see the same players a couple of times, and conversation follows. It works for any level.
Sources: r/saigon: Socializing in Saigon (May 2026); r/saigon: best way to meet genuine people (Sep 2026)
Language exchanges are the bridge to locals
Many Vietnamese residents are keen to practise English, and English clubs and language exchanges cost about the price of a drink. It is the easiest way to meet locals rather than only other foreigners.
Sources: r/saigon: Socializing in Saigon (May 2026); Meetup: Buddies English social nights (Nov 2026)
Accept drinks only from people you know
The UK government warns against accepting drinks, snacks or gum from strangers and new acquaintances because of spiking, and advises booking rides through Grab or XanhSM. Meet new people in groups and in public.
Source: UK FCDO: Vietnam safety and security (Sep 2026)
Leave politics and religion out of it
Criticising the government, including online, and non-sanctioned religious activity such as proselytising can lead to a travel ban or prison, and protests are not tolerated. Groups here stay social.
Source: UK FCDO: Vietnam safety and security (Sep 2026)
Events hosted by Globe Quest members
None scheduled right now. The groups above are where things are happening this week. If you want to start something of your own, members can post an event and invite people.
Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.
How this list is made
Every group here exists independently of Globe Quest. Each one is listed only when a source from the last 18 months shows it running: the organiser's own page, a dated article or listing, or residents on Reddit. Those sources are named on every card. We do not publish member counts or ratings, because nobody here counted them. If you run a group, use the form above to correct its listing or add yours.
Social clubs and meetups in Ho Chi Minh City
Groups whose whole point is meeting new people.
Offline Collective
ClubLaid-back social events with mid-sized crowds, recommended on r/saigon by a resident who hates networking events as the one that does not feel forced.
Source: r/saigon: Socializing in Saigon (May 2026) · checked Nov 2026
InterNations Ho Chi Minh City
NetworkThe global expat network's Ho Chi Minh City chapter, with official events and member-run activity groups.
Source: InterNations Ho Chi Minh City (Nov 2026) · checked Nov 2026