Alongside the ubiquitous cheap local lagers served over ice at street-side bia hoi stalls, Ho Chi Minh City has developed a genuine craft beer scene over the past decade, with several homegrown breweries now running their own taprooms and distributing to bars across the city.
Local Vietnamese craft breweries
A handful of Vietnamese-founded breweries produce everything from approachable pale ales to more experimental options using local ingredients like passionfruit, dragon fruit or Vietnamese spices — a genuinely distinct take on craft beer worth seeking out rather than sticking to imported options.
Bia hoi vs. craft beer
It's worth knowing the difference: bia hoi is fresh, low-alcohol draft beer sold cheaply at street stalls, brewed and distributed daily and traditionally drunk quickly before it goes flat — a completely different experience and price point to a craft taproom, and worth trying at least once as a piece of local culture in its own right.
Where to find them
Taprooms and craft-focused bars are spread across District 1 and Thao Dien (District 2), with a growing presence in Binh Thanh as that district's bar scene expands. Many convenience stores and better-stocked bars around the city now also carry cans from local breweries if you'd rather try a few styles without committing to a full night out.
| Try | Local Vietnamese craft breweries, not just imports |
|---|---|
| Also try | Bia hoi (cheap fresh draft beer) for contrast |
| Best areas | District 1, Thao Dien, Binh Thanh |