Beer Street Hanoi: Best Travel Guide to the find the Cheapest Beer in the World
Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam, and one of the most visited cities in the country. Travellers from all over the world descend upon Hanoi in droves in each year, each with their own unique reason.
Whether it is in search of a connection with the Vietnam War, or to try out the delicious local cuisine, Hanoi is a fascinating city to visit.
Being on the trail of so many visitors also leads to bars and pubs sprouting up to bolster the nightlife scene in Hanoi, and one of the most prominent spots to check out is at Ta Hien Street, also known as Beer Street Hanoi to some.
What is it about this noisy and crowded street that attracts people? Read on to find out more.
Let’s Zip Up & Drink Beer!
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What's covered in this post
- Beer Street Hanoi: Best Travel Guide to the find the Cheapest Beer in the World
- How to get to Ta Hien Street: Beer Street Hanoi Directions and Google Map
- Background of Beer Street Hanoi
- Travel Guide in Ta Hien Beer Street
- When is Ta Hien Street open?
- What drink can I have from Hanoi Beer Street?
- What kind of street food can you find at Ta Hien Street?
- Do you need to book in advance to visit Ta Hien Street?
- What else can you do near Ta Hien Street?
- What hotels are near Ta Hien Street?
- Logistics before visiting Hanoi Vietnam
- Are you visiting Vietnam?
How to get to Ta Hien Street: Beer Street Hanoi Directions and Google Map
Getting to Beer Street in Hanoi is easy.
It is situated within the Hoan Kiem district (the Old Quarter), right next to another popular area, the Ba Dinh District (the French Quarter).
Both are tourist hot spots and are likely part of your Vietnam itinerary.
If you have been planning to visit Hanoi, you would know that getting around these 2 districts is best done by walking the thousand-year-old streets, or you can consider taking a taxi, a Grab motorcycle, or Cyclo.
Background of Beer Street Hanoi
Back in the days before the foreigners arrived, Ta Hien Street was named after Admiral Ta Quang Hien, who served under the mighty Nguyen Dynasty.
During French colonisation, he led rebel forces to successfully liberate the province of Thai Binh, and was recognised as a national hero. Unfortunately, he was caught and killed later on.
As time went on, more foreigners began to visit Hanoi, and Ta Hien was one of the first which saw most of them set foot, hence earning itself the nickname “International Crossroads”.
Travel Guide in Ta Hien Beer Street
There are many names associated with Ta Hien, and during conversations with locals, you might hear other terms such as Pub Street Hanoi, Beer Street Saigon, or “Pho Tay” (which means foreigner street). You might even hear people asking about where Beer Corner Hanoi is.
Whichever name you call it, the experience at Ta Hien is certainly unique. While there are proper clubs and pubs around here, the main attraction is really the makeshift small tables and stools that are placed on the roadsides.
At the intersection of Ta Hien and Luong Ngoc Quyen, you will find Beer Corner which marks the start of the lively entertainment street and is also the centre of the action. There are 4 “beer gardens” here, and is a great spot to chill out and sip a cold one.
As you navigate your way down the 200m or so street, you will find lots of similar setups, on top of steamboat restaurants (a local favourite) and nightclubs where you can dance the night away.
You take your seat here and order your drink. Bia Hoi, a Vietnamese draft beer, is the most common beverage consumed here. It has earned the moniker of the world’s cheapest beer, costing around 5000-6000 VND (USD$0.25) for a mug.
Bia Hoi is freshly brewed and the production cycle is very quick, so the taste is really light and refreshing, Its alcohol content is typically 3% only, which means more drinks!
Don’t be surprised if you receive your beer in a plastic mug though, for the price is the order of the day here, not aesthetics.
This is also one of the best ways to observe the local culture and lifestyles, although Ta Hien has seen a huge influx of foreigners in recent years, where men and women alike chat over refreshing cheap beer and delicious street food.
Don’t get shocked as you walk past a table shouting “một hai ba, dzô!”, which means 1, 2, 3, cheers!
While out partying here, you will inevitably run into someone (more like dozens of them) walking around with large cartoon balloons. They are actually filled with helium and can get you high for like 5 seconds and make you talk funny. But who knows the source of these gases?
Besides simply checking out Beer Street, you should also explore the alleyways and other streets (Quang Lac Lane, Hai Tuong Lane, Cong Lane) that connect to it as the action has spilled over there. This is great for you if you prefer to avoid the large crowds along the main street.
When is Ta Hien Street open?
Ta Hien Street is a hive of activity pretty much the entire day.
During the early hours, you can consider taking a walk-through and see the contrast when you come again at night.
Restaurants are open in the morning, while pubs can be seen starting from the late afternoon onwards.
As you might expect, the action here doesn’t really stop from Mondays to Sundays.
What drink can I have from Hanoi Beer Street?
Well if you are not up for Bia Hoi, there are lots of other options available, but you will have to get them in the proper pubs. Regular brands like Heineken and Tiger are widely available, or you can go for local brews such as Saigon Beer (Bia Saigon), 333, or Hanoi Beer.
The local beers are pretty cheap too and taste good too.
What kind of street food can you find at Ta Hien Street?
If you are here at Ta Hien, don’t miss out on the street food too. The options are just crazy!
Take your pick from fresh fruits, barbecued meats, fried nem chua, and many more. There are literally hundreds of different vendors selling all kinds of yummy food, so make sure you pick up a few along the way.
Are you adventurous? Consider ordering a plate of grilled quails and Chan ga hap sa (which is chicken feet that are steamed with citronella). While it is not for the faint-hearted, you might be in for a nice surprise!
Do you need to book in advance to visit Ta Hien Street?
Of course not, the street is open to the public at all times. However, if you prefer a more informative and organised way to explore the area around Old Quarter (36 streets), you may wish to consider going for a food walking tour instead.
This takes place during the day, so you will not be able to sit down at the beer gardens, but it gives you a glimpse of what Hanoi Beer Street is about and maybe you can return the next night.
Plus, it can be difficult choosing the right street food vendor, so a local guide will come in really handy in such a situation.
What else can you do near Ta Hien Street?
You can certainly explore the entire Old Quarter, depending on the time you get here. It is better to start off earlier so that you can check out the main sights, such as the Presidential Palace, Ba Dinh Square, the One Pillar Pagoda, and several others.
You should also spend some time strolling along the shores of Hoan Kiem Lake, which has several beautiful pavilions to rest and take photos of.
One of the popular activities to consider is watching a water puppet show, a dying art that is linked intricately to Vietnam’s history and its roots.
Alternatively, cross over to the French Quarter to discover some of the best architecture in Hanoi, such as the Hanoi Opera House and the National Museum of Vietnamese History.
Check out these guided tour activities in Hanoi for a fuss free adventure:
What hotels are near Ta Hien Street?
If you are planning to stay around the area of Beer Street, here are a few different budget options to consider:
Budget:
Trang Trang Boutique Hotel
Mid Range:
Oriental Suites Hotel and Spa
Luxury:
Intercontinental Hanoi Westlake
Logistics before visiting Hanoi Vietnam
Stay Connected
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Find cheap flights.
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Find the best accommodation.
Book a place ahead of time to get good rates. Booking.com has transparent fees and excellent rates.
Handy travel guide.
For the old school kid in you, get a travel guide book and get lost exploring the city.
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Travel insurance.
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Planned for you activities in Hanoi.
Need a guide to show you and your group around? Lots of operators here to choose from here. You know who they are and how they are reviewed.
More resources to help you.
All other useful travel resources we use when we book our trips.
Are you visiting Vietnam?
Beer Street Hanoi is great for people who wants to see another side of the Vietnamese people relaxing and chilling out, getting to know them better and also getting a cheap beer for yourself!
If you are travelling to Vietnam, here are a bunch more articles you might be interested in:
- The only 5D4N Da Nang itinerary you need: including off the beaten path spots!
- Brunch Hanoi: 12 Of The Best For Every Budget
- How to get from Da Nang to Hoi An: All your questions answered
- Essential Guide To Phu Quoc Night Market (Updated 2020)
- 15 places to travel for under $30 per day
What are you favourite moments in Vietnam? Feel free to share with us in the comments section down below.
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