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Beer in Vietnam - A Guide To The Best 12 Brands 2023
Beer in Vietnam - A Guide To The Best 12 Brands 2023
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09:38 13/03/2024 Beer In Vietnam: A Guide To The Best 12 Brands 2023
But the crux of this post is all about the best beer brands to look for in this
country. Some are household names popular around the world, but the rest
are local delights that you can only experience in Vietnam. I assure you they
are more delicious than you can imagine!
Beer In Vietnam: The Past And The Present
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While beer is one of the world’s oldest drinks, dating back to 7,000 years ago
or so, it isn’t a traditional Vietnamese beverage. It came with the French when
they conquered Vietnam in the mid-19th century and only became popular
afterward.
Vietnam’s first brewery was opened in 1875 in Sai Gon (the Southern region).
Fifteen years later, the first brewery in the Northern region appeared in
Hanoi.
At first, beer was only consumed by French people in Vietnam. Locals were
still only used to traditional rice liquor and, consequently, loath to try the
foreign drink. Eventually, they embraced beer passionately and turned it into
an important part of daily life.
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Best Beer in Hanoi, Vietnam! (Bia Hoi, Nightlife, Cheap Beer, Craft Be…
Be…
Beer served over ice is the dominant norm. Vietnamese people often add ice
cubes directly to their drinks. Before drinking, you should wait for the ice to
melt and cool your beer enough. Pouring beer into someone’s glass is a
popular Vietnamese way to show hospitality.
Still, chilled beer with ice is also a common choice for people disliking
watered-down beer. Locals drink both types in every location, from meetings
between friends and family gatherings to business events with important
deals.
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Celebrations and festivals, especially Tet holiday, are also a great time for it,
too. On these occasions, medium-sized drinking glasses are used for
enjoying a beer in Vietnam. However, locals occasionally drink craft and draft
beer with European-style beer mugs.
Not many Vietnamese people drink beer on its own. They often serve it with
crunchy or chewy foods, like roasted peanuts or dried shredded squid.
Meaty or seafood-based dishes, especially beef stew, are other popular
options.
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People often drink beer in groups in Vietnam, whether it’s with family
members, friends, colleagues, or even strangers.
Young people should show respect to older people at drinking parties like
other Vietnamese social gatherings. The oldest person tends to have the first
sip, but the youngest one sometimes does the honor.
It is common for party participants to raise their glasses many times while
drinking, even for trivial reasons. They usually say these things during the
toast: “Một, hai, ba, dô!” (“One, two, three, cheers!”) or “Trăm phần trăm!”
(“One hundred percent!).
Folks discuss all sorts of things during beer parties in Vietnam: news, gossip,
personal stories, business agreements, etc. Even strangers open up easily to
each other after drinking a few cups (or kegs). Be sure not to spill your beans
(or beer)!
Though Vietnamese people don’t usually force others to keep drinking
against their will, some may still do it, especially when they are tipsy. Hold
your grounds and respectfully decline that offer.
Drunk driving accidents are a thorny issue in Vietnam, so be careful and never
drive after drinking too much beer.
A popular phrase spoken during Vietnamese parties is “Không say, không
về!” (literally “Not leaving until drunk!”; a better translation is “Drink until you
pass out!”). Don’t take it literally: this expression is all about joining the fun of
the moment.
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Have a glass of beer, and Vietnamese people will welcome you like old friends!
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Hanoi draft beer is famous for its refreshing flavor and astonishingly low
price.
Draft beer appeared in Hanoi in 1960 and soon became a local favorite. Many
travel websites praise it as one of the world’s cheapest beer types. Enjoying
this beverage is one of the most recommended things to do in Vietnam’s
capital city.
While draft beer is mainly popular in the Northern region, you can find it in
big cities in other regions as well. This type of beer is often associated with
diners and sidewalk stalls. It has very little alcohol (usually less than 3%) and
no preservatives.
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Locals brew and enjoy this foamy beer within the day, so you can detect a lot
of fresh and crisp goodness in it. If the beer isn’t pasteurized before being
sold, it will be called Bia tươi (literally “fresh beer”).
Although those places still have to get certain ingredients from other
countries, especially hops, they produce their beer from locally available
ingredients. That approach gives Vietnamese craft beer distinct flavors and
aromas unlike what you find at home.
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You can see a lot of beer products from both Vietnamese and international
brands when shopping at grocery stores and supermarkets. Shopkeepers
don’t often ask for ID from customers, though they may refuse to sell to
teenagers.
Where To Buy Vietnamese Craft Beer
If you want to have a taste of Vietnam-made craft beer, try these destinations.
Who knows, maybe you will find it as good as the stuff at home.
C-Brewmaster (http://c-brewmaster.vn/#pll_switcher)
When it comes to Vietnam’s leading craft breweries, C-Brewmaster is a must-
try. You can sign up for a tour of its breweries and watch how the team
behind them turns Vietnamese ingredients into wonderful Western-style beer.
Pho Essence, Red Prince Beet Ale, or Fruity IPA are to die for.
Heart of Darkness (https://heartofdarknessbrewery.com/)
This award-winning brewery was born out of a desire to create high-quality
American-style craft beer in Vietnam. You can find its taprooms in Ho Chi
Minh City and Singapore, offering interestingly named beers like Dream Alone
Pale Ale or Futile Purpose Cucumber Pilsner.
Pasteur Street Brewing Company (https://pasteurstreet.com/)
Having taprooms in both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, Pasteur Street Brewing
Company serves craft beer full of Vietnamese goodness. You will detect tasty
hints of local fruits, herbs, and spices in it. Some recommended products are
Passion Fruit Wheat Ale and Dragon Fruit Gose.
IBiero (https://ibiero.com/)
This Hanoi-based craft brewery has some nice beers that both locals and
tourists love to try: Indian Pale Lager, Mango IPA, or Hanoi Autumn. Its
taprooms have a diverse menu with both Northern and Southern Vietnamese
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Saigon Lager
Medium-bodied,
(White/Green),
slightly sweet,
Saigon Export Popular in
Saigon Beer 4.3% - 4.9% grassy hop
(Red), Saigon Southern Vietnam
bitterness, and
Special (Green),
crisp finish
Saigon Gold
Bold and hoppy
333 Premium, 333 flavor, grassy
333 Premium Beer 5.30% All over Vietnam
Export aromas, and dry
finish
Citrusy goodness,
Hanoi Beer (Bia Hanoi Red, Hanoi Popular in
4.2% - 4.6% grainy flavors, and
Hà N?i) Green Northern Vietnam
clean finish
Prominent hop
Huda (white and
notes, some malty Popular in Central
Huda Beer 4.7% - 5% green packaging),
sweetness, and Vietnam
Huda Gold
subtly bitter finish
Popular in
Halida (Gold), Smooth flavor,
Northern Vietnam
Halida Beer 5% - 5.5% Halida Export, malty sweetness,
and some parts of
Halida Dark and a clean taste
Central Vietnam
Pure, hoppy
Heineken
bitterness, corn-
Heineken 4% - 5% Premium, All over Vietnam
like sweetness,
Heineken Silver
fruity notes
Zesty finish,
Tiger Beer Blue, vegetal flavors,
Tiger Beer 4.6% - 5% All over Vietnam
Tiger Beer Silver dry finish, not very
hoppy or malty
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Delicate honey-
Sapporo like sweetness, Can be found in
Sapporo Beer 4.5% - 5.2% Premium, crisp finish, Vietnam’s big
Sapporo Blue Cap bready aroma, cities
solid carbonation
Can be found in
Herbal, bitter,
Budweiser 5% Budweiser Vietnam’s big
sweet, and citrusy
cities
Can be found in
Mellow, hoppy,
Corona 4.50% Extra Vietnam’s big
and citrusy
cities
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Many people like to drink Saigon Export because it delivers good flavors at a
reasonable price.
Remember Vietnam’s first brewery that was opened in 1875? One century
later, it became Sabeco, the largest beer producer in the country. Its flagship
product is Saigon Beer, which is famous for its clear amber color, and
caramel-like sweetness tinged with grassy hop bitterness.
The alcohol content in Saigon Beer ranges from 4.3% to 4.9%. The long and
carefully controlled fermentation process gives it more depth of flavor. This
medium-bodied beverage comes with a white, thick head and crisp finish that
everybody loves.
Saigon Beer comes in a few varieties. The most common one is Saigon Lager
(also known as Saigon White or Saigon Green Lager), while Saigon Export
(Saigon Red) is pricier and has larger alcohol content.
Saigon Special (Saigon Green) is another premier tier. But the most expensive
and hard-to-find product is Saigon Gold. It is always canned and only
distributed in Vietnam’s big cities.
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333 Beer was the most popular beer in the Vietnam War.
If you were an American GI serving in the Vietnam War, you probably had
already tried this beer. However, it was known as 33 Beer at that time. The
change of name occurred in the 1970s when the production of this popular
beer passed to Sabeco.
Despite the different branding, the iconic blend of hoppy forward taste and
dry finish still remains. Feel its bold flavors and grassy aromas, and you will
find it an extremely suitable drink to serve with ice on a hot, humid day in
Vietnam.
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Though based on French recipes, 333 Beer is brewed with hops from Bavaria
(Germany) and Vietnamese skills, resulting in a unique beverage. Pairing it
with flavorful Vietnamese food (https://www.lacademie.com/vietnamese-
food-guide/) is also a fantastic idea.
The alcohol volume of 333 Beer is about 5.3%, which is higher than many
comparable Vietnamese counterparts. The beer has two varieties: 333
Premium and 333 Export.
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Saigon Beer rules the South, while Hanoi Beer reigns supreme in the North.
This beer brand comes in two main varieties: Hanoi Red (4.4% to 4.6% alcohol)
for the Northern Vietnamese market and Hanoi Green (4.2% alcohol) for the
Central Vietnamese market. It isn’t very popular in the South.
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Thanks to being made with premier hops from the Czech Republic, Hanoi Beer
boasts touches of citrusy goodness that shine through the rice-like fruity
scent and grainy, grassy flavors. The clean finish and bright white head with
good retention are its other charms.
4. Huda Beer (https://www.carlsberggroup.com/products/huda/huda/)
The name Huda is a blend between “Huế” and “Đan Mạch” (Denmark in
Vietnamese).
Central Vietnamese food is known for being really hot and spicy, so you will
need suitable drinks to balance the heat. How about a beer that boasts
prominent hop notes, some malty sweetness, and a subtly bitter finish? That’s
what Huda Beer can deliver.
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Halida Beer can be a little challenging to find in the Southern region. The most
common popular variety is Halida (or Halida Gold), followed by Halida Export
and Halida Dark (which has up to 5.5% of alcohol).
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Biere Larue was named after Victor Larue, the French man who opened the
first brewery in Vietnam. It once had the same producer as the legendary 33
Beer (now known as 333 Beer). While the latter is a Sabeco product, the
former is now part of the Heineken empire.
Biere Larue is mainly popular in the Southern region. Because of its attractive
logo, many people informally call it “bia con cọp” (“tiger beer”). Don’t mistake
it for Tiger Beer from Singapore!
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There are two main labels to choose from: Larue Original (4.2%) and Larue
Export/ Larue Premium (4.6%). Both varieties offer a highly drinkable
beverage with a light flavor, bready taste, and floral, honey-like aroma. Also,
this golden beer comes with good carbonation and a clean finish.
7. Zorok Beer/ Zorok Lager
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Some people say that this light-bodied beer doesn’t have enough hoppy
fragrance to satisfy their palate. But if you’re looking for a refreshing beverage
that won’t leave you with a splitting headache, this one is worth a try.
8. Heineken (https://heineken-vietnam.com.vn/agegate/?
return=%2Fen%2Four-brands%2Fbiere-larue%2F)
In 1991, Heineken established its first brewery in Vietnam and became the
second most popular beer brand in the country a few decades later. While
many Vietnamese people find its price a little too much, they consider
drinking it as a sign of rising standards of living.
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The Vietnamese version of this Dutch beer isn’t very different from the rest of
the world: a pure beer with a nice balance between hoppy bitterness and
corn-like sweetness. It leaves a thick yet refreshing mouthfeel, plus a few
fruity notes reminiscent of green apples.
You can find Heineken Premium (Heineken Green – 5%) and Heineken Silver
(4%) for sale in many places throughout Vietnam. People who shun booze can
try the non-alcoholic Heineken variety.
9. Tiger Beer (https://www.tigerbeer.com/global/en/homepage)
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When it comes to the best international beer brands in Vietnam, Tiger Beer is
a worthy opponent for Heineken. This type of beer originated in Singapore
and became popular in Vietnam after the 1990s. Besides the usual brewing
ingredients, it also includes orange zest.
That ingredient gives it a zesty finish and fragrance that Vietnamese people
love very much. While a few Westerners object to its sweet and vegetal flavors
that don’t feel very hoppy or malty, locals can’t have enough of it. Though
there isn’t much bitterness, the dry finish is very rewarding.
You can try two varieties of Tiger Beer in Vietnam: Blue (5%) and Silver (4.6%).
Perhaps you will find the beer better-tasting here.
10. Sapporo Beer (https://www.sapporovietnam.com.vn/?lang=en)
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Despite its high price, Sapporo beer has a sizable fan base in Vietnam.
In terms of flavors, its delicate honey-like sweetness and crisp finish totally
justify its price tag. You can take a whiff of its nice bready smell before feeling
the solid carbonation in the clean, amber-colored liquid.
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Before 2015, only imported Budweiser Beer was available in Vietnam at a very
high price. But the opening of the Budweiser brewery in Bình Dương Province
has made this premier American-style beer more accessible to Vietnamese
people.
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Canned and bottled Budweiser Beer (with an alcohol volume of 5%) can be
found in upscale liquor stores, large supermarkets, or online retailers in
Vietnam. Don’t confuse it with Budweiser Budvar beer from the Czech
Republic.
12. Corona Beer (https://www.corona.com/en)
This Mexican beer brand has yet to have a brewery in Vietnam, so local beer
lovers can only experience it through expensive imported products. However,
many people find its citrusy goodness and dry finish a worthwhile reward for
their troubles.
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Derived from a mixture of corn, hops, and barley malt, Corona Beer has a
wonderfully mellow taste and just the right amount of hoppy flavor. That
flavor profile can easily seduce Vietnamese people who have their first sip of
Western beer.
Some Vietnamese liquor stores sell Corona Extra Beer. You can visit them to
buy a few elegantly packaged Corona Beer cans or bottles for drinking or
giving to your friends as a gift.
Vietnam: A Hoppy Land For Beer Lovers!
Hanoi draft beer isn’t the only thing to pin down Vietnam on the world beer
map. You can find plenty of options, both local and international, for that feel-
good factor. Learning to drink beer the Vietnamese way will do wonders to
help you make new friends and discover all facets of life here.
Is there any type of popular Vietnamese beer that is missing from this post? If
so, feel free to comment and let me know. You can also share your
experiences with beer culture in Vietnam: I’m all ears! And please introduce
this post to your friends who love the fun of Vietnamese beer!
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