Vietnam, as a country, harbors a vibrant drinking culture. Known as nhậu, the country is famous for its sidewalk drinking and for being one of the largest consumers of beer in the entire world. Vietnam offers a wide variety of beer options, both international and local, for hopheads and ale aficionados alike. So, the next time you visit Vietnam, ditch the run-of-the-mill Heinekens and Tigers; instead, pick among local brands like Saigon, 333, Hanoi, or Huda. unsobered has made this comparison guide that will help you choose which beer is best suited for you.
Brewed by SABECO, Saigon Beer comes in three varieties. They are Saigon Special, which is 100 percent malt, Saigon Export (Red Label), and Saigon Lager (Green Label). It has an ABV of around 4.9 percent and has a light, clean flavor with the subtle sweetness of the rice.
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Best Paired With: Southern seafood dishes, grilled squid, and sweet-salty street eats.
While the southern part of Vietnam is credited with the origin of this beer, its cultural roots trace all the way back to colonial France and the French 33 Beer. It has an ABV of around 5.3 percent and tastes slightly dry. It has a higher alcohol kick and a heavier malt graininess. It also has a punchy finish.
Best Paired With: Hearty grilled meats, BBQ pork, and strong-flavored street snacks.
Also Read: What Is Rượu Cần? The Vietnamese Rice Wine You Drink Through Bamboo Straws
Brewed by HABECO, Hanoi Beer has an ABV of around 4.6 percent to 4.9 percent. It has the pale color of straw and is mildly aromatic with floral hop notes. It is smooth, mild, and has a dry and bitter finish.
Best Paired With: Bún Chả, Pho, boiled poultry, and lighter Northern herbs.
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Today, Huda Beer is brewed under the label of Carlsberg, but it originates from the Hue region in Vietnam. It has an ABV of around 4.7 percent and pairs exceedingly well with spicy food. It is a medium-bodied, balanced sweet malt with crisp carbonation and a smooth finish. This particular beer utilizes both Central Vietnamese water sources and European hops.
Best Paired With: Fiery Huế dishes, lemongrass beef, and spicy chili seafood.
Also Read: Drinking Culture in Vietnam - Things to Know
If you are not well-aware of the drinking culture in Vietnam, here are a few things you need to know.
Bia means beer and Đá means ice in Vietnamese. Funnily enough, serving beer over ice is traditional in Vietnam, much to the chagrin of beer lovers. There are a number of reasons given for this, the chief one being to keep the beer cold. Another popular belief is that since adding ice dilutes the drink, it helps in pacing and reducing the amount of alcohol ultimately consumed.
This is a drinking cheer typically uttered before downing a drink. Literally, it translates to “one, two, three, drink!/go!/cheers!”
As per the cultural drinking norms of Vietnam, if you are toasting to people who are older than you, you are supposed to hold the glass with both of your hands and then do the toasting.
Vietnamese drinking culture is quite unique and worth experiencing if you enjoy drinking. While the ice in beer might be a culture shock to many, it is done for a reason. If you are a beer purist, you can ask the server to skip the ice. Regardless of how you like your beer, you are sure to enjoy the community, warmth, and hospitality that are characteristic of the Vietnamese drinking culture.
