胡志明市第一郡的「日本街」，主要集中在Le Thanh Ton與Thai Van Lung一帶，是當地相當具有代表性的異國夜生活區域。這個區域最迷人的地方，在於它保留濃厚的巷弄尺度與隱密感，街道不寬、招牌密集，白天看起來只是安靜的日式餐飲聚落，但入夜後，霓虹燈亮起，整條街便迅速轉換成節奏鮮明、氣氛曖昧卻不失秩序的娛樂區，長年吸引駐越日本人、外派商務人士，以及對在地夜生活有好奇心的旅客。

在日本街的語境中，「Cherry」這個詞幾乎已成為暗號般的存在，指的正是當地極具知名度的Cherry Spa。這類店在當地被稱為「奧黛店」，顧名思義，服務人員會身穿越南傳統服飾奧黛迎賓，整體氛圍刻意營造出結合在地文化與柔和服務感的形象。Cherry Spa的核心服務以洗頭與按摩為主，但真正讓它在日本街打出名號的，並不只是服務內容本身，而是「互動感」。在不少外國旅客與當地社群的口耳相傳中，Cherry被視為相對安全、管理較為明確，且沒有變性人員的店家，對第一次踏入日本街的男性來說，心理門檻較低，也因此成為許多人的「第一站」。

至於經常被提及的「77 店」，實際上並不一定指單一一家店，而是一類統稱，常見名稱包括77 Bar或結合酒吧與按摩形式的店鋪。這類店之所以長期受到歡迎，關鍵在於它們主打高度互動的陪伴型社交體驗。店內女孩通常個性外向健談，會主動陪酒、聊天、玩簡單的小遊戲，讓氣氛不至於過於拘謹。從街景來看，這類店的門面往往相當吸睛，門口站著穿著制服或奧黛的女孩招呼客人，對單身旅客而言，視覺衝擊力十足，也讓人很難忽略它們的存在。再加上日本街的特殊客群背景，許多店員都具備基本的日語與英語溝通能力，部分甚至能使用簡單中文，使得語言隔閡相對低，這也是日本街能長期吸引外國人的重要原因之一。

除了Cherry與77類型的店鋪，日本街的夜生活選擇其實相當多元。如果偏好純聊天與喝酒的社交氛圍，像 Miu Bar 這類女孩酒吧便是熱門選擇，整體風格偏向活潑可愛、氣氛熱鬧，適合不想太有壓力、只想放鬆聊天的客人。若想在夜生活前先好好吃一頓，街區內也聚集不少水準不俗的日式餐廳，例如Sushi Tiger或一富士製麵所，從壽司到拉麵都有一定口碑，讓人能在進入夜晚行程前先墊好肚子。另一方面，對成熟風格有偏好的客人，像男座這類走高檔路線的酒吧，裝潢較為沉穩，服務節奏也更內斂，營造出偏向熟客制、重視談吐與氣質的氛圍。

整體而言，胡志明市的日本街並非走張揚或失控的路線，而是一種建立在巷弄尺度、人際互動與文化混合之上的夜生活型態。只要理解這裡的節奏與潛規則，對許多旅客來說，日本街呈現的，正是一種介於觀光與在地、異國卻又自成秩序的獨特夜晚風景。

Ho Chi Minh City’s “Japanese Street” is located mainly around Le Thanh Ton and Thai Van Lung streets in District 1, and is well known for its distinctive alleyway culture and vibrant nightlife. During the daytime, the area appears to be a quiet cluster of authentic Japanese restaurants, but once night falls, it transforms into a neon-lit entertainment district that attracts Japanese expatriates, foreign professionals, and curious travelers. Its charm lies in the narrow streets, discreet entrances, and a nightlife atmosphere that feels lively yet controlled rather than chaotic.

Within the context of Japanese Street, the term “Cherry” is widely recognized as a reference to Cherry Spa, one of the most famous establishments in the area. Cherry Spa belongs to a category locally known as an “Ao Dai spa,” where staff greet customers while wearing Vietnam’s traditional Ao Dai attire. While the official services focus on shampooing and massage, the venue’s popularity largely comes from the interactive experience it offers. In local discussions, Cherry Spa is often described as relatively safe, well-managed, and known for having no transgender staff, making it a popular first stop for men visiting Japanese Street for the first time.

The so-called “77 shops” do not necessarily refer to a single establishment, but rather a group of venues commonly branded as 77 Bar or similar bar-and-massage hybrids. These places are popular primarily because of their high level of social interaction. The girls working there tend to be outgoing and engaging, actively drinking, chatting, and playing simple games with customers to create a relaxed and sociable atmosphere. From the street, these venues are easy to spot, as groups of girls wearing uniforms or Ao Dai often stand at the entrance inviting passersby inside. For solo male visitors, the visual appeal is strong and difficult to ignore. Another major advantage is communication: due to the large Japanese and international clientele, many staff members can speak basic Japanese or English, and some can even communicate in simple Chinese, significantly lowering language barriers.

Beyond Cherry and the 77-style venues, Japanese Street offers a wide variety of nightlife options. For those who prefer casual conversation and drinks, girl bars such as Miu Bar are popular choices, known for their lively atmosphere and cute, youthful style. Travelers who want to enjoy a proper meal before heading into nightlife will also find several well-regarded Japanese restaurants nearby, including Sushi Tiger and Ichifuji Seimenjo, offering everything from sushi to ramen at respectable quality. On the other end of the spectrum, venues like Danza cater to guests who prefer a more mature and refined environment. These bars feature more upscale interiors, a calmer pace, and an emphasis on conversation, atmosphere, and discretion.

Overall, Japanese Street in Ho Chi Minh City is not defined by loud clubs or uncontrolled nightlife, but rather by a carefully balanced blend of alleyway intimacy, interpersonal interaction, and cultural fusion. For many visitors, once they understand its rhythm and unspoken rules, Japanese Street reveals itself as a uniquely layered nightlife scene—foreign yet familiar, discreet yet vibrant, and distinctly different from typical tourist entertainment zones.