Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam is the craft beer capital of Southeast Asia, featuring some of the best breweries in Southeast Asia. The city has a thriving nightlife scene with many local breweries and bars that offer a wide variety of beer styles, from classic beer flavors to tropical fruits to flavors inspired by Vietnamese street food.
Known as taprooms, the bars at which craft beer is sold are popular meeting spots for both locals and travelers. Saigon’s rooftop bars may be more luxurious, but taprooms are great places to meet new people and exchange travel stories over a few unique brews. In addition, hidden bars and gay bars are options to pick to discover nightlife in Ho Chi Minh.
In this article, we’ll look at some of the best craft beer bars in Ho Chi Minh City and a few of the most exciting beers on offer at each.
Contents
1. Pasteur Street Brewing Company
Pioneers in craft beer in Vietnam, Pasteur Street Brewing Company pretty much started the craft beer boom only 10 years ago with a small but thirsty team. Starting with blockbuster beers such as their Double Jasmine IPA, the Pasteur Street team went on to create more cutting-edge concoctions like the Pomelo IPA.
The popular craft beer bar uses local ingredients like jasmine, passion fruit, dragon fruit, lemongrass, and Vietnamese coffee in their beers, giving them a unique local twist that you won’t find anywhere else. Featuring fruity beers, chocolatey stouts, and gorgeous ales, it’s a pretty innovative menu.
Listen to our podcast with Mischa Smith, sales director of Pasteur Street Brewing Company, for 24 minutes of beery stories and some craft beer-related travel tips for Saigon.
Flagship Beers:
- Jasmine IPA (6.5% ABV – 50 IBU)
- Passion Fruit Wheat Ale (4% ABV – 15 IBU)
- Cyclo Imperial Chocolate Stout (13% ABV – 55 IBU)
Location:
SALA TAPROOM
- Address: A2 Tower, Complex Apartment M1, Sarimi, 74 Nguyen Co Thach Street, An Loi Dong Ward, Thu Duc City, HCMC
- Phone number: +8493 182 1966
- Opening hours: 11 AM – 12 AM
LY TU TRONG TAPROOM
- Address: 110-112 Ly Tu Trong, District 1, HCMC
- Phone number: +84 977 240 110
- Opening hours: 11 AM – 12 AM
HOANG SA TAPROOM
- Address: 221 Hoang Sa, District 1, HCMC
- Phone number: +84 799 229 978
- Opening hours: 3 PM – 12 AM
XUONG BIA TAPROOM & RESTAURANT
- Address: 23A Ngo Thoi Nhiem, District 3, HCMC
- Phone number: +84 28 2215 7068
- Opening hours: 11 AM – 12 AM
PHU MY HUNG TAPROOM
- Address: CR5-01, Crescent Residence 5, Tân Phú ward, Dist. 7 (by the intersection of Pham Thieu street and Luther King street)
- Phone number: +84 34 708 9977
- Opening hours: 11 AM – 12 AM
And many more taprooms in District 1, 2 Saigon and in Hanoi.
2. Heart Of Darkness
Heart of Darkness Craft Beer Bar offers an extensive selection of delicious craft beers, including their most popular beers Kurtz’s Insane IPA and Director’s Cacao Nib Porter. Their beers are brewed using locally sourced ingredients, making for a truly authentic taste of craft beer in Ho Chi Minh City.
Located in the bustling District 1 area of Ho Chi Minh City, Heart of Darkness Brewery is easily accessible and makes for a great spot to relax and unwind after a busy day of exploring the city.
Additionally, Heart of Darkness Craft Brewery has a vibrant and inviting atmosphere, with a spacious and stylish taproom and an outdoor beer garden. Visitors can enjoy live music, comedy shows, and other events while sipping on their tasty brews. Check out the Heart of Darkness brewery and Darness’s Facebook page for an up-to-date event schedule.
You can listen to a story about the origins of Heart of Darkness brewery on the aptly named Beer Stories podcast, produced in Vietnam.
Flagship Beers
- Kurt’s Insane IPA (7.1% ABV- 102 IBU)
- Dream Alone Pale Ale (5.7% ABV- 37 IBU)
- Loose Rivet NEIPA (7.5% ABV- 59 IBU)
Addresses: 31D Ly Tu Trong, District 1; 2 more locations in Danang and Singapore
Opening hours: 11:00 a.m – 12:00 a.m
3. Malt Saigon
Malt specializes in dark beers and ciders from all over the world, offering a more international experience than other craft beer bars in Saigon. The cocktails and wines served at Malt and beer in Saigon are also very good.
Additionally, Malt offers a menu of tasty bar snacks and small plates that pair perfectly with their craft beers. This enhances the overall experience and allows tourists to try local Vietnamese cuisine while enjoying their local craft beers.
Finally, Malt is located on a very central but still quiet street in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, making it easily accessible for tourists staying in the city center.
Flagship Beers
- Rooster Beers
- 7 Bridges Beers
- Hoprizon Beers
- Hanoi Cider
Recommended Snacks
- Spinach & Artichoke Cheese Dip
- Jalapeno Poppers
- Chicken Wings
Addresses:
- 46 Mac Thi Buoi, District 1
- Ground floor of Green View Apartment, 35 Nguyen Luong Bang, District 7
Opening hours: 3:00 p.m – 12:00 a.m
4. BiaCraft Artisan Ales
BiaCraft offers a rotating selection of over 50 craft beers on tap, including local Vietnamese brews and imported beers from around the world. The selection includes IPAs, stouts, porters, lagers, and sours. Plus, a fully-equipped kitchen prepares snacks and meals that are perfectly paired with the drinks.
BiaCraft also offers beer tasting beer sampling flights, where drinkers can sample a selection of beers, and knowledgeable staff can provide recommendations based on the guest’s preferences.
Flagship Beers
- BiaCraft Pilsner (4.8% ABV – 28 IBU)
- BiaCraft IPA (6.5% ABV – 54 IBU)
- BiaCraft Dragon Fruit Pale Ale (5.8% ABV – 44 IBU)
- BiaCraft Wheat Beer (4.4% ABV – 8 IBU)
- BiaCraft Blonde Ale (5.2% ABV – 22IBU)
Addresses:
- 90 Xuan Thuy, District 2
- 1 Le Ngo Cat, District 3
- 5 other locations in Districts 7, 10, Phu Nhuan, Tan Binh, and Binh Hung
Opening hours: 11:00 a.m – 11:00 p.m
5. East West Brewing Co.
The East West Brewing Company beer selection is carefully crafted to suit a range of palates, from hoppy and bitter to light and refreshing. They have IPAs, wheat beers, stouts, golden ale, and more. The food and snacks are also great.
The venue is beautifully designed, with an open-air layout on the roof that allows visitors to enjoy the city’s balmy weather. It’s a casual vibe that will be fine to visit in shorts and sandals, but it also provides the mystique of a rooftop bar.
Flagship Beers
- East West Pale Ale (6% ABV- 32 IBU)
- Far East IPA (6.7% ABV- 54 IBU)
- Summer Hefeweizen (5.9% ABV- 20 IBU)
- Coffee Vanilla Porter (7% ABV- 20 IBU)
Addresses:
- 181 – 185 Ly Tu Trong, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- 1A Vo Nguyen Giap in Da Nang
Opening hours: 11:00 a.m – 12:00 a.m
6. Saigon Outcast
Saigon Outcast has a smaller selection of craft beers than other bars on this list, but the venue itself is such a fun and interesting place to hang out that it makes up for the smaller amount of options. Saigon
Outcast is an outdoor art center and event space that is popular among locals and expats alike. The space boasts features like an indoor skatepark, rock climbing wall, and street art that add to the active environment of the place.
It has a laid-back, bohemian vibe and is known for hosting a range of creative events and exhibitions. Check out the Saigon Outcast Facebook for an up-to-date event listing and browse their photos to get an idea of the space’s incredible design.
In addition to craft beer, Saigon Outcast bar also has a great food menu with a variety of options including vegetarian and vegan dishes. Visitors can enjoy a meal and a beer while taking in the creative atmosphere of the outdoor space.
Recommended Beer: Fuzzy Logic Pale Ale (4.3% ABV – 17IBU)
Address: 188/1 Nguyen Van Huong, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 10:00 a.m – 11:00 p.m
7. Ong Cao Craft Beer
Looking for a cool spot to chill with fantastic craft beers in Ho Chi Minh City? Look no further than Ong Cao Craft Beer Place!
Tucked away from the chaos of Bui Vien Street, this gem offers a peaceful vibe perfect for enjoying quality brews. Their craft beers and ciders are top-notch, and the staff really know their stuff. The prices might seem a bit higher than your average Saigon beer joint, but the quality is totally worth it!
Plus, the staff are super friendly and always ready to chat about their passion for craft beer. Oh, and did we mention the cool branded glasses and beer mats? Perfect for snapping Insta-worthy pics! So if you’re a beer lover looking for a great time in Ho Chi Minh City, Ong Cao is definitely the place to be!
Address: 240 Bui Vien Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
Opening hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday to Saturday: 17:00 – 23:15
- Sunday: 11:00 – 01:00
8. BELGO – Belgian Craft Beer & Gastropub
Last but definitely not least we have BELGO – Belgian Craft Brewery – Beer & Gastropub in Saigon, a trendy warehouse-style microbrewery, is the brainchild of Belgians Gauthier and Francois, who founded it to celebrate the rich beer culture shared between Belgium and Vietnam. This Belgian Brewery stands out for its unique blend of Belgian craft beer and global comfort food, offering an extensive selection of over 35 Belgian beers, both imported and locally brewed under the expertise of a Belgian brewmaster.
With its distinctive atmosphere that combines elements of traditional Belgian breweries and cultural nuances, BELGO has established itself as one of Saigon’s premier breweries with delicious food, attracting a diverse clientele of locals, expats, and tourists. Its commitment to authentic Belgian brewing methods and recipes, combined with a local twist, makes BELGO a quintessential destination for the craft beer community, aficionados and culinary explorers in Saigon.
Recommended Beer:
- BELGO Blonde: a Belgian classic with a secret herb twist that makes it unforgettably tasty.
- BELGO Cherry: Dive into a cherry wonderland with this beer – sweet, tart, with a slight cherry tang.
- BELGO Royale: A royal brew with a fruity whirl of pineapple, peach, and banana, spiced up in a creamy special sip.
Addresses:
- 159A Nguyen Van Thu, Da Kao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Phone: +84 28 3910 0485
- 29 – 31 Ton That Thiep, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Phone: +84 28 3622 9887
- 2 Le Ngo Cat, Ward 7, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City. Phone: +84 28 3620 5212
- 186 Phan Xich Long, Ward 2, Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City. Phone: +84 28 3517 0983
So Why Drink Craft Beer In Ho Chi Minh City?
There are a few reasons to make at least one craft beer night part of your Ho Chi Minh City travel itinerary:
- Ho Chi Minh City has a vibrant beer culture that you need to experience.
- Getting tipsy over a few beers in a lively environment is a good way to meet other travelers and English-speaking locals. Fun fact, craft brews tend to have higher alcohol volume than watery mass-produced beers.
- Vietnamese craft beers let you sample more local flavors.
- Drinking craft beer helps support local businesses.
- Craft beer tap houses are more communal than a large beer hall or generic beer garden in Ho Chi Minh City, offering food pairings and hosting events.
Ho Chi Minh City’s Craft Beer Bars in a Nutshell
Saigon has an absolutely amazing craft beer scene. The craft beer lovers community is warm and inviting, and there are many great taprooms to explore. We hope this brief guide helps you inject a little more boozy fun into your Vietnam holiday and exposes you to a little more of the country’s urban culture while you’re at it.
If you want to learn more about history and culture, check out our Ho Chi Minh tours for memorable experiences!
Related FAQs about craft beer
In Saigon, you’ve got plenty of options when it comes to beer:
- Bia Saigon: This is the go-to choice for many locals and tourists alike. It’s a light and refreshing lager.
- Craft Beer: Check out places like Pasteur Street Brewing Company and Heart of Darkness Brewery for a taste of Saigon’s craft beer scene. They offer a variety of styles to explore.
- Bia Hơi: For an authentic experience, try Bia Hơi, the fresh draft beer served at street-side stalls. It’s cheap and pairs perfectly with Vietnamese street food.
- Imported Beers: If you’re in the mood for something familiar, many bars and restaurants in Saigon offer imported beers from around the world.
- Rice Wine (Rượu): Not a beer, but worth mentioning for its cultural significance. Rượu is a traditional Vietnamese rice wine that you might encounter in certain settings.
No matter your preference, Saigon’s beer scene has something for everyone, from casual drinkers to craft beer enthusiasts. Cheers!
Craft beer prices in Saigon can vary depending on factors such as the venue’s location, the specific brewery, and any promotions or specials they might offer. In more central districts like District 1 and District 2, where there might be a higher concentration of trendy bars and restaurants, prices may trend slightly higher compared to other areas.
However, it’s important to note that craft beer prices typically range from around 40,000 to 100,000 Vietnamese dong (VND) per pint ($1.75 to $4.40 USD), with some specialty or imported beers potentially costing more. For the most accurate pricing information, it’s recommended to check with individual venues or breweries directly.
According to Astute Analytica, in 2023, the Vietnam beer market had a worth of US$ 7,526.3 million and is anticipated to exceed US$ 14,154.2 million by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.27% between 2024 and 2032. Vietnam’s beer market holds a notable position within the Southeast Asian market.
