Hanoi Beer: Where To Buy The Authentic Local Taste

Hanoi Beer is a beer brand produced in Hanoi, Vietnam, by Habeco, a state company that is partially owned by Carlsberg. It was first introduced in 1890 when the first small factory, Hommel Brewery, was built by the French. Today, Hanoi Beer has developed several products, including Hanoi Bold, Hanoi Light, Hanoi Premium, Hanoi Red Label, and Hanoi Green Label. The beer is available in cans and bottles, with alcohol content ranging from 3.5% to 5.1%. In Hanoi, Vietnam, there is a street named Beer Street or Beer Corner, located at the intersection of Ta Hien and Luong Ngoc Quyen streets in the Old Quarter, known for its lively atmosphere and cheap beer, including Hanoi Beer.

Hanoi Beer Street

Ta Hien Street comes alive at night, offering a unique blend of food, drinks, and entertainment. The street is lined with various small restaurants, pubs, and bars, serving up a variety of delicious street food, including "nem chua" (fermented pork roll), Vietnamese bread, noodles with steamed chicken, and sweet soup. Beer, of course, is the signature drink, with locals and tourists alike gathering to enjoy a cold glass of freshly brewed beer. In addition to beer, the street also offers a range of other drinks, such as cocktails, mojitos, margaritas, and whiskey.

The street also boasts lively music performances, with bands playing a mix of Vietnamese songs and classic hits. Visitors can chill out and make new friends from all over the world while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere. Notable bars and pubs on Ta Hien Street include 1900 Le Theatre, Funky B, Fat Cat Bar, and Prague Pub, each offering its own unique ambiance and attractions.

For those seeking a more relaxed beer-drinking experience, there are also plenty of other bia hoi (local draft beer) spots outside the city centre, such as the bar under the railroad at "P. Lê Văn Linh", offering a quieter atmosphere and a chance to mingle with the locals.

Whether you're a local or a tourist, Hanoi Beer Street offers a unique and affordable entertainment experience, with its lively atmosphere, delicious food, and drinks. It is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to explore the vibrant nightlife and local culture of Hanoi.

Bia Hoi Junction

The highlight of Bia Hoi Junction is, of course, the Bia Hoi—a light and refreshing Vietnamese draft beer with an alcohol content of around 3-4%. It is served in recycled glass tumblers and paired with local beer snacks like sunflower seeds, roasted peanuts, and crispy pumpkin seeds. The beer is remarkably cheap, costing between VND 5,000 to VND 40,000 per glass, making it a popular choice for both locals and tourists alike.

The junction is also known for its diverse street food offerings, including honey-grilled quail, Ta Hien beef noodles, and fermented pork roll. The architecture of the surrounding area is also worth noting, with French colonial-style buildings featuring red-tiled roofs, white walls, and green wooden windows.

Northern Soul rooftop bar

Northern Soul stands out for its sophisticated yet hip atmosphere, attracting a mix of locals, expats, and travellers. The bar is known for its excellent craft beer selection, including its own-brand pilsner, as well as crafted cocktails. While they don't serve food, you can order delivery from nearby restaurants. The bar also features a foosball table and an arcade machine, adding to its appeal.

The bar is open from 5:00 PM to 2:00 AM, with extended hours on Fridays and Saturdays until 3:00 AM. Northern Soul Rooftop Bar is a great choice for those seeking a unique and refined experience, offering stunning views, delightful drinks, and soulful music in the heart of Hanoi's Old Quarter.

Best Bia Hoi locations

Hanoi's Old Quarter is the place to be for the best Bia Hoi locations.

The corner of Ta Hien and Luong Ngoc Quyen streets, known as "Beer Corner" or "Bia Hoi Corner", is a famous intersection in the Old Quarter, luring travellers and residents alike to socialise over ice-cold bia hoi. This is a great spot for people-watching and soaking in the culture. You can sit on tiny plastic stools with a glass of local beer in hand and watch as Hanoi's backstreets are converted into a living street theatre.

Bia Hoi Junction, at the intersection of Nha Hoa and Duong Thanh, is another must-visit location. It is the most famous place for drinking local beer, with hundreds of people sitting on plastic stools and enjoying the lively beer paradise atmosphere. You can also find other beer brands here, such as Tiger and Heineken, as well as various soft drinks.

For a more local experience, simply wander around the Old Quarter, where you can easily spot the small Bia Hoi places on the pavement with a small sign. These include Quán Bia Hơi Nam Còi, which serves cheap beer and street food, and Lan Chin, a chain of restaurants where you can drink Bia Hoi.

Bia Hoi is a unique drinking culture, mainly found in the northern cities and towns of Vietnam. It is a daily ritual from 4 pm, where locals and tourists sit on small plastic chairs on street corners and drink locally brewed beer. The beer is brewed fresh every day and should be consumed within 24 hours as it contains no preservatives. It is incredibly cheap, costing between 3,000 and 10,000 dong (approximately 10 to 30 cents) for a glass.

Hanoi Beer brand

Hanoi Beer is a brand produced in Hanoi, Vietnam, by Habeco, a state company that is partially owned by Carlsberg. The brand was first introduced in 1890 with the opening of the first small factory, Hommel Brewery, built by the French.

Over the years, Habeco has developed many different types of beer under the Hanoi Beer brand name. These include Hanoi Bold, a strong yeast flavour aimed at young people, with an alcohol content of 4.7% to 4.9%; and Hanoi Light, with an alcohol content of less than 4.5%, which blends bitter and pure tastes. Both are bottled in eye-catching colours: Hanoi Bold in masculine green, and Hanoi Light in transparent yellow.

The Hanoi Beer brand also includes the Premium line, with an alcohol content of 4.9%, aimed at a luxurious and harmonious level for parties. The Premium line has a rich aroma of barley malt and hints of noble Houblon flowers from the Czech Republic.

Another famous offering from the brand is the Hanoi Red Label Beer, with an alcohol content of 4.4% for the bottle and 4.6% for the can. The Red Label has a harmonious and mellow bitter taste and an eye-catching foam layer.

The Hanoi Green Label Beer was born exclusively for customers in Central Vietnam and combines the unique taste of the Central people with the essence of Hanoi beer. With an alcohol content of 4.2%, it is lighter than the Red Label.

Hanoi Beer can be purchased at supermarkets in Vietnam or at Hanoi Beer Street, also known as Beer Corner or Bia Hoi Corner. This famous intersection in the Old Quarter is a popular spot for socialising and enjoying ice-cold bia hoi, or Vietnamese draft beer.

Hanoi Beer can also be found at the Havana Bar, located opposite the Circle K convenience store.

Frequently asked questions