Why Ta Hien Street becomes a must-visit place in Hanoi Old Quarter? & needed to be in your Itinerary Do you know why locals want to hang out on this narrow and crowded street on weekends? Why people call it “Beer street Hanoi”?
The answer to your question is so simple! Because Ta Hien street is super famous for beer. So, grab some beer and explore Hanoi nightlife on burning hot days. Nowhere to enjoy the dynamic nightlife of Hanoi and drink “cool beer” better than Ta Hien street. Not only for beer lovers and night owls, Beer street Hanoi is a paradise to discover Vietnamese cuisine. All the best Hanoi street foods are here! If you are a food enthusiast, don’t miss this delicious chance to savor it all!
If you are a culture vulture, slip in this 266 – meter Beer street Hanoi to unveil unexpected facets of ancient 1000-year-old Hanoi.
Ta Hien, located at Hanoi Old Quarter, is always full of locals and foreign tourists
The uniques feature of Old quarter Ta Hien Corner
Table of Contents
One of the unique features of Ta Hien street in Hanoi, Vietnam is that it is known as the “Beer Street” or “Bia Hoi” in Vietnamese. This is because the street is famous for its numerous bars, pubs, and beer corners where locals and tourists alike can enjoy a cold glass of freshly brewed beer at an affordable price.
The beer served in Ta Hien street is known as “Bia Hoi,” which is a type of light beer that is brewed daily and served fresh without any preservatives or added chemicals. Bia Hoi is a popular drink in Vietnam and is usually consumed in the afternoon or evening by people sitting on plastic chairs and tables on the sidewalk or in small local bars.
Activities: In addition to its bars and nightlife scene, Ta Hien street also has a variety of street food vendors that offer traditional Vietnamese dishes such as pho, banh mi, and bun cha. There are also several souvenir shops, clothing stores, and travel agencies in the area.
Customer: Ta Hien street attracts a diverse range of customers, including both locals and tourists. The street has become particularly popular with backpackers and budget travelers who are looking for an affordable night out.
History: Ta Hien street has a rich history that dates back to the 13th century when it was known as a hub for silk production. In the 19th century, the street became known for its tea shops and was frequented by scholars and intellectuals The history of Bia Hoi in Vietnam dates back to the 1950s when beer factories started producing a light and refreshing beer using local ingredients such as rice and malt. Bia Hoi quickly became popular among the working class and local residents due to its affordability and freshness.
Ta Hien street, with its central location in the Old Quarter of Hanoi, became a popular destination for Bia Hoi bars in the 1990s when the Vietnamese government started to relax its control over small-scale private businesses. The street was already known for its vibrant street food scene and nightlife, but the addition of Bia Hoi bars helped to solidify its reputation as a popular nightlife destination.
Today, Ta Hien street is home to dozens of Bia Hoi bars and pubs that offer affordable and freshly brewed beer, as well as a variety of other drinks and snacks. The street has become a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, and is known for its lively and bustling atmosphere.
Ảnh tạ hiện về đêm
If you imagine yourself sitting in a pub and enjoy beer in Ta Hien Street Hanoi, you will be completely wrong!
There is no proper pub here, not even a proper table. Customers will sit on small stools around a little taller plastic or wooden stools on which food and beer bottles are placed. It may be uncomfortable for some foreigners, but it creates a unique atmosphere for customers to experience ancient local lifestyles in Hanoi. Besides, one of the best parts of drinking beer here is that the beer is usually served along with delicious food such as roasted squid, fried fermented pork rolls, roasted bird meat, or simply a plate of sunflower’s seeds.
>>> Check out 20+ Top Things To Do In Hanoi (and the ONE thing NOT to do!) + MAPS
People all sitting at the pavement drinking beer at night
Like any other pub street, the atmosphere here becomes more lively when the night falls down with the influx of both locals and foreigners. The quietness of the street in the daytime is suddenly replaced with the noisiness. The whole street is crowded with groups of people drinking beer and chatting with each other. Echoed throughout the street is the sound of “một hai ba…dzô!” (one two three… cheers!) from both local and foreign customers.
The common thing among beer restaurant in Ta Hien is its simple and street style. Everything is on street sides with plastic chairs used for both seat and table. The customers can order a mug of beer and sit for hours without being interrupted. The comfortable and friendly atmosphere, as well as great beers and foods, are the main reasons for the attraction of Ta Hien Street.
Cheap but absolutely delicious street food at Ta Hien street
What drink can I have from Hanoi Beer Street?
Because of its name, beer is everywhere! Hanoi is really well-known for “pavement beer”. No need for decent tables and chairs, just beer and street foods are enough for Hanoians to chit-chat all night long.
Bia co (Ta Hien beer) – a typical specialty of Hanoi beer street
The most unique things you can get from Ta Hien street is Bia co. This beer is not the first-class one, neither have a special taste. But the memorable experience we get is a distinctive flavor of Hanoi pavement culture, inharmonious with the bittersweet taste of Bia co.
Hanoi Beer
Hanoi Beer is a more commercial beer that is also popular in the city. It is a lager-style beer that is slightly stronger than Bia Hoi and has a fuller flavor. And other local brand
Saigon Beer: Saigon Beer is another popular beer brand in Vietnam. It is a lager-style beer that is brewed using imported hops and malt.
333 Beer: 333 Beer is a pale lager that is brewed using malted barley, hops, and rice. It is a popular beer brand in Vietnam and is also exported to other countries.
Tiger Beer: Tiger Beer is actually a Singaporean beer brand, but it is brewed and distributed in Vietnam. It is a pale lager that is brewed using malted barley and hops
La Rue Beer: La Rue Beer is a relatively new beer brand in Vietnam, but it has gained popularity in recent years. It is a craft beer brand that is brewed using locally sourced ingredients and traditional brewing techniques.
Cocktails:
Many bars and pubs in the Beer Street also serve a variety of cocktails. Some popular options include mojitos, margaritas, and other fruity drinks.
Soft Drinks:
If you’re not in the mood for alcohol, many bars and pubs in the Beer Street also offer a variety of soft drinks and non-alcoholic beverages.
>>> FREE ITINERARY PLANNING – Let’s us arrange your trip! <<<
Other types of beer and beverages
Looking at the menu, you can order a well-branded beer like Tiger, Saigon, Halida… Whiskey, rum, gin… are here too. Personally, I still recommend tasting Bia Co first.
Beer stores are close together along Ta Hien street. They may be crowded all the time, especially on weekend nights. But only this time, you truly live Hanoi nightlife.
I’m not sure to say Ta Hien beer is a brilliant drink, but I’m totally sure that it’s unique and peculiar. Ta Hien beer is so good because of the aromatic combination of flavors: sweet-smelling roasted squids, delicious fried “nem chua” and many more…
Ta Hien beer is the spirit of beer street Hanoi. A little light-tasted yeast has the ability to stimulate excitement, making people’s emotion “bloom” entirely. They don’t need a large space and don’t mind noise around. All they wanna notice is to be passionate about beer fragrance, with their and their friends’ stories.
>>> Discovery Hanoi Night FREE Walking Tour with local students
Ta Hien Street food – what are you waiting for at Ta Hien?
Aside from beers and pubs, personally, I think Tạ Hiện street is like a narrow or a mini version of food heaven with lots of super small alleyways and twisted intersections, which I presume very fit for a curious explorer who wants to enjoy a little bit taste of rusticity. On the small and crowded street of Ta Hien, you can find a variety of best Hanoi street foods such as Nem chua, Vietnamese bread, noodles, sweet porridges…
The snack foods to serve with the beer are also diverse, from traditional ones such as nem Phung, fried nem, nem, boiled peanut to Western ones such as fried chips, cheese stick,… Moreover, prices are generally cheap
Fried “nem chua” and fried chips
Fried “nem chua” and fried chips (insta: 2uang_)
These are 2 dishes we can’t miss on the list of street foods in Hanoi. Enjoy each piece of fried nem chua with fried chips, you will feel the sweet spicy taste of chili sauce, in concordance with a greasy flavor of nem inside and crispy layer of fried chips outside. Fantastic! Each nem chua only costs 5.000 VND (about 25 cents).
Chim cut nuong (Roasted quail)
- Address: 5B Ta Hien street
- Opening hours: 4:30 pm to 9 pm
- Price: 35,000 VND/ one serving of 4 birds
Chim cut nuong
Cheese stick
Only in a short time, this dish won the heart of Hanoian youth. Fresh yellow, crispy cheese stick, take a bite and we will taste thick layer of cheese. Sounds great! Price is so modest too: 6.000 VND each stick
Cheese stick in Beer street Hanoi (insta: nofoodphobia)
Chan ga hap sa (Chicken feet steamed with citronella)
This is an indispensable dish for Hanoi people. Chicken feet soak into flavor steadily, have a gentle smell of citronella. It always succeeds in making a very strong impression on every single person crossing by. Sour and sweet flavor of the sauce, mild spicy of citronella, along with crispy chicken feet. So yummy!
- Address: 37 Ta Hien street
- Price: 40.000 VND/dish
- Besides chan ga hap sa, don’t forget tasting fried chicken feet with fish sauce nearby. Its taste is also wonderful as chan ga hap sa!
Chan ga hap xa is in green leaf-shaped plate in the picture
Popular local restaurant in Ta Hien Hanoi – traveler love most
Bia Hoi Corner – 1 Ta Hien Street:
This popular Bia Hoi spot is located right in the heart of the Beer Street and is a great spot for people watching. Beers here are priced at around 5,000 – 10,000 VND per glass (less than 50 cents USD).
Bia Hoi Ha Noi – 32 Ta Hien Street:
This spacious Bia Hoi bar has a second-floor balcony overlooking the street, making it a great spot for a cold beer and some people watching. Beers here are priced at around 8,000 VND per glass (less than 50 cents USD).
Bia Hoi 68 – 68 Ta Hien Street:
This popular spot is known for its lively atmosphere and friendly service. Beers here are priced at around 10,000 VND per glass (less than 50 cents USD).
Bia Hoi Lan Chin – 38 Luong Ngoc Quyen Street:
While not located on Ta Hien street itself, this popular Bia Hoi spot is just a few blocks away and is worth the walk. Beers here are priced at around 8,000 VND per glass (less than 50 cents USD).
It’s important to note that prices at Bia Hoi bars can vary depending on the location, time of day, and other factors. However, in general, Bia Hoi is a very affordable drink option in Hanoi and is a great way to experience the local culture and nightlife.
Going to the bar after enjoying Hanoi Beer Street?
Local Bar
- Address: 16 Ta Hien street
- Opening hours: 4 pm to 5 am
1900 Le Théatre Bar
- Address: 8 Ta Hien street
- Opening hours: 8 pm to 1 am
The 100 Beer Garden –
18 Ta Hien Street: This is a popular beer garden that is known for its extensive beer selection, lively atmosphere, and friendly staff. They offer a variety of local and international beers, as well as a range of food options.
Legends Beer
1A Ta Hien Street: This is a lively bar that is popular with both locals and tourists. They offer a wide range of beers and cocktails, as well as a rooftop terrace with great views of the street.
Bia Hoi Corner
1 Ta Hien Street: This is a classic Bia Hoi spot that is popular with budget travelers. They offer cheap beer and a great atmosphere for people watching.
Hanoi Rocks Hostel Bar
56-58 Duong Thanh Street: This is a hostel bar that is popular with backpackers. They offer a range of drinks, including beer, cocktails, and smoothies, as well as a pool table and regular events like live music and pub quizzes.
Tadioto Hanoi
24 Tong Duy Tan Street: This is a unique bar that is known for its art exhibitions and literary events. They offer a range of drinks, including craft beers, cocktails, and wine, as well as a range of Vietnamese and Western-inspired dishes.
See more:
- Unveiling Hanoi Nightlife – 15+ Coolest Things – Hanoi at Night
- Hanoi Night Market – Best Local Guide
Ta Hien Street Hanoi – What’s more?
As I mentioned before, Hanoians prefer the name Beer Street Hanoi. We usually call it Foreigner Street (Pho Tay) too, as it’s an “international crossroad” drawing many foreign visitors as well as Hanoians. 266 meters in length, Ta Hien street extends from Hang Buom to Hang Bac street, crossing Luong Ngoc Quyen street.
Ta Hien Street takes its name after Ta Quang Hien, Admiral of Tonkin Military Forces (under Nguyen Dynasty, Emperor Ham Nghi), leader of the Can Vuong movement in Thai Binh province.
Ta Hien during the day is relatively quiet and unoccupied
During the French colonization time, the street was named Géraud. Ta Quang Hien, as a leader of an anti-France colonization campaign, resigned from his position as Lord Lieutenant and led liberal fighters against the French army. At the end of that year, after recruiting about 4000-5000 liberal fighters, his army regained Thai Binh Province and prevailed in other battles afterward. But in a battle in February 1887, he was captured and killed.
Ta Hien still kept most of its old texture and time-worn structure
Another interesting fact about the name Ta Hien is that it was sometimes misread into Tạ Hiền (originally ‘Tạ Hiện’,) so it creates a huge confusion for tourists because the words of ‘Tạ Hiền’ and ‘Tạ Hiện’ are both displayed on signboards in the same street. Ta Hien still kept most of its old texture and time-worn structure.
Ta Hien Street – Beer Street – The International Crossroads
All the pubs at the crossroads of Ta Hien – Luong Ngoc Quyen have been operated for over a decade. The beer here is known to be cheap and tourist-magnetic. Pub operators from time to time speak Vietnamese and some English to communicate with their customers who come from different countries. Eventually, it appeared the informal name of the crossroads – ‘The International Crossroads’ (Ngã tư Quốc tế).
Don’t miss a chance to visit this amazing destination while in Hanoi. If you have any question, feel free to ask. AZ Local Team is always here to help!
Comment (0)