Mot, Hai, Ba, Yo!
This is the sound of Vietnam unwinding after a long day at work, on a heavy-aired summer evening. The sound is coupled with a pleasant clink of glasses that are filled with the world’s cheapest beer, Bia Hoi. A single cup of this indigenous beer from Nam costs just around ₹18 ($0.22), but that’s not why nearly every human in Vietnam gets down (literally) to drink this refreshing beverage. Let’s take a trip down Vietnam lane and meet Bia Hoi – The World’s Cheapest Beer.
Origin Of Bia Hoi
Although it wouldn’t be an overestimation of Bia Hoi’s fame to call it Vietnam’s favorite beverage, the drink is a fairly new addition to the country’s street and alcohol culture. The story of Bia Hoi is one filled with patriotic grit and ingenuity.
Bia Hoi has found favor in the heart and guts of Vietnam, but its forefather, the traditional beer, didn’t receive the same acceptance. You see, Vietnam was part of the French colony called French Indochina from 1858 to 1954. Before the French occupation, and until 1890, rice and fruit wines remained the choice of spirit for the people of Nam.
Come 1890, the French established Hommel Brewery, Vietnam’s first, and added a brew to the country’s selection. Beer wasn’t cheap, though, since supply was slim at Hommel. Employing just 30 employees, the brewery could barely squeeze out 150 liters a day, which were consumed mostly by the French soldiers in Vietnam who already had developed their palates for the brew. The steep price and the bitter taste of the western beer just couldn’t sway the people of Vietnam, who considered it a luxury product.
As the French left Vietnam in 1954, Hommel Brewery changed its name to Hanoi Brewery. The change however, was only in the name. Hanoi Brewery continued to manufacture bottled beer, which found no love among the masses. Patriotism clearly wasn’t why the people of Nam disliked beer, the people just didn’t like it. If a problem was to be named, it was transportation of the beer. So, Hanoi Brewery decided to ditch the French for good as they created the Bia Hoi, a fresh beer that was brewed daily and sold everyday to local distributors for consumption on the same day.
Unlike the western beer, Bia Hoi had a much shorter manufacturing period, as a result, the final drink had a really mild flavor, as well as very low alcohol content (around 3% ABV). Owing to the simple manufacturing process, Bia Hoi could also be sold at a price much lower than the western beer.
With the taste and the price being the biggest problems Vietnam had against beer, the entry of Bia Hoi was like that of a superhero (cape noises and everything). Nam welcomed the home brew with open arms and ready lips. Bia Hoi quickly started pouring into the streets of Vietnam through streetside stores from recyclable steel cans, since glass was a costly resource to bottle the brew in. This shortage of glass led to one last problem, which soon grew into yet another piece of the Bia Hoi culture.
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The Search For A Worthy Vessel – The Creation Of The Cauldron Glass
For over a decade since its creation, the great Bia Hoi would remain imprisoned in teacups and tiny water glasses, hindering the drinking experience with repeated needs to pour a new glass. As 1976 rolled around, the Cauldron Glass, named lovingly by the Vietnamese masses, gained popularity.
The Cauldron Glass was created by Le Huy Van, a painter who graduated from an art school in Germany. Upon returning to Vietnam, Van worked as an interpreter for the Hanoi Government’s office. 4 years later, he was moved to the Industrial Cooperative Technical Department, where he was tasked with designing a glass that would be suitable for drinking Bia Hoi.
Van is said to have come up with a design for the glass within an hour, and proposed they be made out of recycled glass. The thick bottomed, wide mouthed, and green glassed container is the only one that Bia Hoi goes in. Today, the Cauldron Glass is more than just a vessel for Vietnam’s beer. It is a part of the Vietnamese street drinking culture, and a musical instrument with the tell tale cling that resounds in every bustling Bia Hoi joint in Vietnam.
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How To Find The Best Bia Hoi Joints in Vietnam
With a story so rich with culture, we’re certain that you’d also want to know a few watering holes to visit, should you ever go on a trip to Vietnam. Well, we have just what you need buddy!
Bia Hoi is extremely popular in Vietnam, and especially in Hanoi. So, it wouldn’t be too difficult to spot a location that serves the local brew (special thanks to the “Bia Hoi 5000” and similar banners that beckon travelers and locals alike). However, if you are looking for specific joints to visit, the Beer Corner on the crossing of Ta Hien Street and Lương Ngọc Quyến Street in Old Town Hanoi is often considered the center of the Bio Hoi culture.
Apart from the Beer Corner, not only Hanoi, but the rest of Vietnam is speckled with many spots that serve the fresh, low-alcohol beverage. Many Bio Hoi restaurants and other street spots wake up as the sun goes to sleep. Just hop on any local transit system around and after 5 in the evening, and you won’t miss them.
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Summing Up
As the day rolls towards its end, you can see the streets of Vietnam come alive with little stores selling Bia Hoi, the great equalizer. Tourists, expats and locals alike, all sprawl on short plastic stools made for much younger users, relaxing after spending a day in their lives. Many local snacks are sold, bought and relished in both the Bia Hoi shops as well as other vendors.
Bia Hoi may be a cheap beer and a very light buzz, but its history is rich, and the people it brings together enjoy the company more than the inebriation. Don’t be surprised if a table of complete strangers invites you over to join them in enjoying the evening with a fresh glass of Bia Hoi.
If you do get invited, remember the first four words of this blog. Do let out a hearty, “Mot, Hai, Ba, Yo!” (One, two, three, cheers!), before clinking and downing a Cauldron Glass (and a few more) of Vietnam’s homegrown brew.
Also Read: 5 Local Liquors Around The World You Need To Try
FAQs
What Is Bia Hoi In Vietnam?
Bia Hoi is a fast produced light beer that is freshly manufactured and consumed on a daily basis in Vietnam. Bia Hoi has a very low alcohol content of around 3% ABV.
What Is The Cheapest Beer In The World?
Bia Hoi is the cheapest beer in the world, and is made in Vietnam. A glass of Bia Hoi costs anywhere between 3,000 – 5,000 VND (Vietnamese dong), which is around ₹18 ($0.22).
What Does Bia Hanoi Mean?
Beer is called Bia in Vietnam. Bia Hanoi is the name of a beer brand that is produced in Hanoi, Vietnam. It is a brand of Habeco, a state-owned liquor company in Vietnam.
What Is The Most Popular Beer In Vietnam?
The Saigonese Lager “333” is the most popular bottled beer in Vietnam. However, Bia Hoi, a freshly brewed, local beer from Vietnam is also equally, if not more popular.
What Does Bia Hoi Taste Like?
Bia Hoi was Vietnam’s indigenous answer to the bitter taste of the western beer. Thanks to its short brewing and aging process, Bia Hoi has a light wheat flavor that is quite refreshing and a crowd favorite in Vietnam.
What Is Fresh Beer In Vietnam?
Bia Hoi is the daily brewed fresh beer of Vietnam. It has low alcohol content and a light taste.
What Is Beer Called In Vietnam?
Beer is called Bia in Vietnam. The word Bia originates from the French word bière, the very country that introduced the tradition of beer drinking to Vietnam.
