Vietnamese beer: How to enjoy it like a local?

Plastic chairs and tall bia hơi glasses are an essential part of Vietnam's street culture. Freshly brewed beer is admired all over the country and has been in existence for a very long period of time, thus being quite an interesting experience for a beer lover. Before you open a bottle of sparkling wine to savor, we reveal the surprising curiosities about Vietnamese beer!

Written by Oliver PHUNG (Local expert)Updated on 05-12-2024

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Table of contents

1. What Is Vietnamese Beer?
2. Local Beer Culture in Vietnam
3. The Best Vietnamese Beers
4. How Much Does Beer Cost in Vietnam?
5. The Best Places to Drink Beer
6. How Is Bia Hơi Served?
7. How to Toast with Beer in Vietnamese?
Conclusion

What Is Vietnamese Beer?

Talking about Vietnamese beer, we usually mean "Bia Hơi". This beer is fresh and light and is sold in a lot of bars and restaurants around the country. It is produced every day and is well known for its soft taste; the alcohol concentration is from 2 to 4 percent. In this case, the meal with such beer is delicious only in a big company of friends.

Is it the emblematic drink of the North? A little about history...

The French colonists brought beer to Vietnam in the late 19th century, alongside the baguette, which is used to prepare the famous bánh mì. The first brewery in Hanoi was established by Alfred Hommel in 1890 to quench the thirst of the soldiers and officials of the Third Republic.

At that time, beer was an expensive drink, mostly consumed by expats. Locals didn’t drink much of it either, as it was seen as a symbol of colonization. Instead, they preferred rice alcohol.

*Hanoians drinking beer on sidewalks in the 70s*

However, the domestic market eventually created opportunities for brewing beer. In 1954, when national independence was achieved, the newly established government nationalized the Hommel brewery and subsequently renamed it Habeco (Hanoi Beverage Company).

The first real Bia Hoi was brewed in 1960, marking the beginning of a successful journey. This Vietnamese beer is characterized by its low alcohol content, typically around 2-4%, and a strong, aromatic flavor. It is not strong, and with no pasteurization or preservatives, it sells out quickly and remains very affordable. A glass would cost between 7,000 and 10,000 VND, though rice alcohol still dominated the country at the time.

In the 1960s and 1970s, the government imposed curfews or banned the brewing of bia hơi due to a shortage of grain during the War against the American invasion. Despite this, the Vietnamese people, who loved drinking alcoholic beverages, increasingly turned to the newly available bia hơi. As a result, it became an essential part of Hanoi's gastronomic culture and spread across the entire country.

Local people sat on plastic stools and drank beer from tall glasses. — *Local people sat on plastic stools and drank beer from tall glasses*

Local Beer Culture in Vietnam

The culture of beer drinking in Vietnam is an integral part of social life, with this drink becoming a symbolic representation of reunions and solidarity among friends and relatives. Enjoyed in so many different settings, from lively sidewalk bars to fine dining restaurants, the country's diversified cultural pluralism is on full display. More than just a refreshing drink, it is the key to social interaction, making moments unforgettable while strengthening relationships.

*Foreign tourists enjoy a draft beer. Photo: Bia Hoi Hai Xom*

The Best Vietnamese Beers

Known for its light and fresh quality, Bia Hơi is a distinctive symbol of Hanoi. Brewed fresh every day, it is served in several bars and restaurants, becoming quite popular with the locals. Besides bia hơi, there are three other types of beer in Vietnam, listed here:

Fresh Beer — Bia Tươi: Brewed on the premises, it can be found almost everywhere on the tavern circuit and offers a true taste of Vietnamese beer culture.
Craft Beer: Bold, new, and innovative flavors have emerged through the booming craft beer scene in Vietnam, attracting connoisseurs.
Canned Beer: Vietnamese canned beers are increasingly available in retail chains, from small neighborhood convenience stores to large supermarkets, making them accessible to everyone.

*Craft beer is sold at a high price in restaurants specializing in craft beer. Photo: Pasteur Street Brewing*

All of these beers showcase the diversity of Vietnam's beer culture, which has been developing over the years. Here are some of the most popular ones:

333: The very first canned beer brand in Vietnam, brewed since 1985. Known for its light and refreshing taste.
Bia Hanoi: Is easily found in Hanoi and the surrounding northern region. It is transparent beer with a light golden color; it has a light body and smooth flavor that balances sweetness with bitterness.
Bia Saigon: Very popular in Ho Chi Minh City. Golden and refreshing beer with a balance between sweetness and bitterness; its soft aroma has floral and grassy notes.
Huda: Associated with the imperial city of Hue, this drink is known for its invigorating qualities and delicate flavor, which is a popular choice in the country's center.
Larue 1909: Native to southern Vietnam. Noted for its strong flavour and fuller-bodied than most other Vietnamese beers.
Trúc Bạch: A relatively unknown but locally popular beer. It has a delicate flavor and is especially good to pair with classic Vietnamese dishes.

How Much Does Beer Cost in Vietnam?

In Vietnam, the price of local beer varies depending on the type and where it is consumed. Here are the approximate prices:

Bia Hoi (draft beer): Prices range from 8,000 to 15,000 VND per glass. It is one of the most affordable and popular options on the streets of Hanoi and other cities in Vietnam.
Bia Tươi (fresh beer): Usually costs around 100,000 VND, depending on the location and quality.
Craft beer: Prices for craft beers generally start from 100,000 to 200,000 VND or more, as their limited production makes them special with unique flavors.
Canned beer: It sells for 11,000 to 20,000 VND per can or bottle.

💡If you care about the price of a glass of beer as much as Vietnamese currency, check out this guide: Vietnam Currency: All About Vietnamese Dong!

The Best Places to Drink Beer

If you are really into beer, Vietnam certainly offers some special and unique places where you can enjoy this drink, from the liveliest streets to craft breweries and much more. Any craving will be satisfied.

In Hanoi

Beer Street - Ta Hien: This famous street is lively and offers a diverse selection of beers, where both locals and travelers debate over their choice of drink.
Bia Hơi Restaurants: Notable spots include Bia Hơi Hải Xồm and Bia Hơi Hà Nội, where you can experience fresh, light beer.
Best Bia Hơi Bars: Must-visit places like 50 Bát Đàn and 2 Đường Thành, known for their excellent service and welcoming atmosphere.

▶️▶️Follow our guide for your next trip: Hanoi Capital Guide

*Ta Hien Street, Hanoi's liveliest beer street*

In Ho Chi Minh City

Bui Vien Street: Known as the main nightlife street in the city, here you can find all kinds of bars and restaurants serving a wide variety of beers.
Craft Beer Restaurant: Pasteur Street Brewing, famous for its original, locally made craft beers that delight the senses and offer refreshing flavors in tasting sessions.

▶️▶️Get ready for your trip: What to see in Ho Chi Minh City?

How Is Bia Hơi Served?

Bia Hơi is served in special glasses, much like champagne is served in a flute. This detail is far from trivial, as the reasons behind it are very interesting. During the war against the Americans, when bia hơi was very popular, materials were scarce. The Vietnamese were incredibly ingenious at recycling broken glass.

Some factories in the north engaged in this process by collecting glass from areas under national control. First, the pieces of old bottles were heated for about six hours. The resulting paste was then shaped into containers mixed with ash. Today, almost all of these glasses are still handmade.

Vietnamese people usually drink their beer in a glass filled with ice cubes. The waiters dilute it in this "iceberg", as soon as the previous one of a few months has melted, bia hoi must be kept cold! Another custom associated with Vietnamese beer is the snack, as it is accompanied by fresh peanuts, grilled squid or snails, for example.

The associated food is usually very spicy, especially with chilli, which makes you even thirstier! This "magical" drink should be tasted with street food, as it is a staple of Vietnamese culture.

How to Toast with Beer in Vietnamese?

It is not typical in this country to say "cheers" while drinking at a social gathering. Instead, one says "một, hai, ba, dô!" which means "one, two, three, cheers," shouted as loudly as possible. It often turns into a competition to see who can shout the loudest. This is common, although it is not done for every drink.

Do you have a good joke to tell? Or are you about to meet a stranger? Then, "một, hai, ba, dô!" Here’s a small Vietnamese lexicon to help you communicate with the locals.

*Nhậu is a local expression that means to drink beer together*

Vietnamese people have become big beer drinkers, so be prepared to play "who drinks the fastest." Listen out for "trăm phần trăm," which means "100%" and refers to fully ingested rice alcohol!

If someone is unwilling or unable to finish their glass of beer, they might opt for the vow "năm mươi phần trăm," which means "50%." This means only half the glass will be drunk, relieving them of the need to apologize. It's perfectly acceptable to reach your limits and refuse another drink completely.

The rule is to have fun with your Vietnamese friends on the edge of drunkenness; if you can't drink anymore, simply say "say rồi," which means "too drunk" and will be well understood.

Two Spanish tourists on Bui Vien Street during an event in support of the Vietnam football team. Photo: Dân Trí — *Two tourists on Bui Vien Street during an event in support of the Vietnam football team. Photo: Dân Trí*

English	Vietnamese
Hello	Sin chow
What's your name?	Ban ten zi?
How much does it cost?	Bao nyew tien?
Thank you	Kam un
Goodbye	Tahm byet
See you soon	Hen gap lie
One, two, three, cheers!	Mot, hi, bar, yo!
100%	Cham fun cham
50%	Nam mui fun cham
I'm on the verge of drunkenness	Say dzoi

💡The Vietnamese language is interesting, isn't it? If you want to learn more, you can check out this helpful article: How to Say "Hello" in Vietnamese Like Local People?

Conclusion

When you come to Vietnam and settle down amidst the local pace, take some time to learn about the unique customs here. Vietnamese beer is not just a beverage but also an accompaniment to the connections in the social culture. Each glass of beer carries with it an interesting history and a distinguishable cultural experience. Come to Vietnam and explore the rich and unique beer culture! We hope this tasting experience will make your travel in Vietnam much more exciting.