Engage your senses for a moment. Imagine the clinking of glasses. That’s the sound of Bia Hoi. We are standing before Bia chi\u1ebfn th\u1eafng X\u00f3m Ch\u00f9a. It is a monument that stands as a memory. However, I want to talk to you today about Bia Hoi. Bia Hoi is more than just a drink. It embodies Vietnamese beer culture. It’s a must-try when you travel in Vietnam.
Bia Hoi translates to “fresh beer”. It is a typical Vietnamese beverage. This beer is light with a low alcohol content. It leaves no strong aftertaste.
You’ll see Vietnamese people at street corners. They consume cold beer at dusk. Tourists join in too. They drink beer and eat street food. They sit by the sidewalk at miniature tables. Bia Hoi is made fresh every night. It gets delivered every morning in kegs. The kegs are not pressurized. They have no preservatives or carbonation. Thus, Bia Hoi needs to be consumed within 24 hours.
Vietnamese people are known as big drinkers. They can down rice wine easily. Part of their drinking culture is inviting others to join. Don’t be shy if they invite you for a drink. But beware they will not go easy on you.
Bia Hoi is Vietnam’s most famous beer. It is served throughout Vietnam particularly in North Vietnam. It has shaped a beer culture enjoyed by everyone. Anyone of legal drinking age rich or poor can enjoy Bia Hoi. For just a few pennies you can enjoy the world’s cheapest beer. It is also the freshest.
Let’s go back to the end of the 19th century. The French colonials opened the first brewery in Vietnam. The establishment was built in Hanoi. The French named it Hommel Brewery. At that time beer was only for the elite. Production was not cheap. Many locals were too patriotic to drink colonial beer.
Due to shortages of materials there were no bottles for beer storage. Reusable kegs were promoted as an alternative. When North Vietnam was liberated from France the Vietnamese took over French operations. Likewise they took over beer production. The brewery was renamed Hanoi Brewery. From there Bia Hoi was born.
Only local ingredients were used to brew the beer. The alcohol content was around 3-4%. As a result the Vietnamese could enjoy a few glasses without getting drunk.
Bia Hoi is served in special glasses. A Bia Hoi glass is also known as a cauldron glass. The green glass has a thick bottom and a wide mouth. It can hold about half a liter of beer. It is usually handmade using recycled glass. This makes it eco-friendly. The manufacturing method supports Vietnamese livelihoods. They collect used glass bottles for sale and recycling. Bottles selected for recycling undergo a 6-hour heat process. Before being shaped into glasses they are buried under ashes for slow cooling.
Le Huy Van designed the glass. He was a Vietnamese artist who studied art in Germany. He was assigned to design something for drinking Bia Hoi. Drinking Bia Hoi in teacups was not sufficient. From Le Huy Van’s talents the iconic Bia Hoi glass was born.
A glass of Bia Hoi costs around US$0.22. That’s about 5000 to 6000 VND.
Bia Hoi is safe and delicious. However, it must be served by a reputable establishment. The concern is that some brewers serve it beyond its 24-hour mark. Some brewers may not be making it according to high standards.
The best place to try Bia Hoi is Bia Hoi Corner in Hanoi. It is located where Ta Hien Street intersects with Luong Ngoc Quyen Street. Banners promoting ‘Bia Hoi 5000’ will be flapping. You will find street vendors selling street food. There will also be imported bottled beer local canned beer and Bia Hoi.
Here are some tips for visiting Bia Hoi Junction. “Mot hai ba YOOOOOOO” is the standard way to say cheers. Be mindful of your belongings. Have your hotel’s address on hand. Don’t drink and drive. Use a ride-hailing service. The best time to visit beer corner is the evening. Avoid the rain. The best time to visit Hanoi is February to April during the spring season.
If you can’t travel to Hanoi you can find Bia Hoi across Vietnam. There are similar spots in Ho Chi Minh City. People sit by the sidewalks sipping beer and munching on street food. The ambiance is almost the same as in Hanoi.
Bia Hoi Ha Noi is one bar in Saigon. It caters more to Vietnamese people. It is located on the second floor away from traffic noise.
Why drink the best beer in Vietnam without food? Here are a few must-try dishes. Bun Bo Ta Hien is a vermicelli rice noodle soup. Fresh spring rolls are also popular. They contain prawns green onion leaves carrots cucumber and vermicelli rice. Grilled honey quail are yummy small snacks. Dried squid is another option.
Bia Hoi is special beverage. It is beloved by the Vietnamese and visitors. Rich in history delicious in taste and very affordable. Bia Hoi is hard to beat. Whether you visit North or South Vietnam be sure to have a glass. Or five.