Lurking down a small road off of Dien Bien Phu, a main artery out of the downtown, this pool is hidden in a small oasis. You go from horrendous traffic to a park full of trees and flowers in just seconds. The pool is open to the public from 6am to 8pm, with plenty of lounge chairs. Some people swim laps in the deep end, but this pool is more suited for relaxing.
Price: 60,000 VND (2.60 USD) weekdays, 70,000 VND (3 USD) weekends
Van Thanh Swimming Pool, 48/10 Điện Biên Phủ, Bình Thạnh, +84 28 3512 3026
It’s not cheap to swim here, but the quality reflects the price. This high-end hotel is located in the heart of District 1, making it ideal for travelers who would like to take a quick dip after a day of sightseeing. But don’t expect to be able to do laps, though. This is a pool for lounging.
Price: 300,000 VND (13 USD)
New World Saigon Hotel, 76 Lê Lai, District 1, +84 28 3822 8888
If you are looking to swim laps, this is the pool for you. They have two pools: one 25m and one 50m. Their opening times are fairly complicated, so make sure you understand them before you go.
Price: 20,000 VND (1 USD)
Swimming Club Yet Kieu, 1 Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, District 1, +84 28 3829 6917
This one is a bit difficult to find, but if you ask around when you’re in the area, somebody will point you in the right direction. The facilities aren’t great, but it’s cheap and clean. It features a 50m Olympic-sized pool with lanes for doing laps, which is about all you should expect to do here. This is a great choice for anyone looking to put in a casual workout, because it’s usually quiet. A couple of oddities to keep in mind, though: They don’t allow loose beach shorts for men, and they’re closed on Mondays.
Price: 25,000 VND (1 USD)
CLB Bơi lội Lam Sơn, 242 Trần Bình Trọng, District 5, +84 28 3835 8028
Here’s another excellent choice for those of you who like to swim laps. This pool has plenty of lanes, and at just 18,000 VND (0.75 USD), the price is right as well. Men, bring your Speedos — no swimming trunks allowed. Also, women can’t wear white bikinis.
Price: 18,000 VND (0.75 USD)
Dai Dong Swimming pool, 25A Nơ Trang Long, Bình Thạnh, +84 28 3841 2630
The Lan Anh Pool is a popular spot among expats looking to escape the heat. They have plenty of space and lounge chairs around the pool, and there’s also a bar and restaurant. It’s not as nice as the Van Thanh pool, but if you’re in the area and don’t really feel like driving across the city, then this is a fine choice.
Price: 45,000 VND (2 USD)
Lan Anh Club, Phường 12, District 10, +84 838627420
When it comes to luxury hotel brands in Saigon, Rex is always near the top of the list. However, many of the top hotels in the city charge exorbitant prices for the public to use their pools. While the Rex pool certainly isn’t cheap to use, it’s more reasonable than other pricey hotels in District 1 — and the views are spectacular.
Price: 160,000 VND (7 USD)
Rex Hotel, 141 Nguyễn Huệ, District 1, +84 838292185