📘 Section 1 covers Vietnam’s beer culture in detail.
📊 Section 2 lists popular local, foreign and craft beers.
🏭 Section 3 explains beer regulations and pricing.
💼 Section 4 answers key frequently asked questions.
🧭 A floating table of contents is top-right for easy navigation.
💬 Reach out if you have any questions.
Vietnamese are among the biggest beer drinkers in Southeast Asia with beer a key component of Vietnam’s food and beverage industry.
In fact, by consumption, international beverage and hospitality firm, Kirin Holdings, found that Vietnam had the seventh highest beer consumption in the world after Germany but, notably, before the United Kingdom which was in position eight.
This preference for beer, coupled with Vietnam’s rapid economic development, has led to an evolution in Vietnam’s beer industry.
Not only are big international brands setting up shop in this very-thirsty Southeast Asian nation but craft brewing is also beginning to carve out a piece of the beer consumption market and a place on the taste buds of Vietnamese consumers.
In this light, this article looks at Vietnam beer and Vietnam’s beer-drinking culture, its most popular brands, and the buying and selling of beer, both domestic beer and beer from abroad.
Vietnam beer culture
Vietnam’s beer-drinking culture follows a similar structure to what can be expected in Western beer markets, however, with its own Vietnamese twist.
Pubs
Aside from Western-style pubs around key expat areas in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, pubs are not particularly common in Vietnam.
There are, however, particularly in Hanoi, open-air beer drinking establishments known locally as Bia Hoi that serve as something akin to a local watering hole.
These can vary in size from something like a beer hall to small street-side stalls, with just a few tiny plastic chairs and a keg.
Bia Hoi serve beer by the glass for a few thousand dong – about US$.50 cents.
Bars
Bars have become increasingly common in Vietnam as its affluent, young consumer class continues to grow.
Tap beers are unusual at bars in Vietnam.
Instead, many will often have a selection of bottled craft brews, although that said, it’s more common among Vietnamese to drink high-end cocktails.
Either way, opening a bar in Vietnam can be a profitable enterprise.
See also: How to Open a Bar in Vietnam: Ultimate Guide
Beer clubs
Beer clubs sit somewhere between a bar and a nightclub, probably more toward the nightclub end.
They are usually big hall-style venues with dancers, private booths, and relatively expensive drinks.
They also generally play house music at a volume that shows little concern for the fortitude of their patron’s ear drums.
🍺SNAPSHOT: Heineken plant closure highlights pressure on Vietnam’s beer market
The closure of Heineken’s Quang Nam plant, costing the province around US$19.8 million in annual tax revenue in 2024, reflects broader strains in Vietnam’s beer industry.
Despite post-pandemic recovery, beer sales have been weak amid inflation, cautious consumer spending, and rising competition from imported alcohol.
While Decree 100’s strict drink-driving penalties may have played a role, deeper shifts are at work.
Free trade agreements like the EVFTA and CPTPP are phasing out tariffs, fuelling a surge in alcohol imports — beer alone rose over 160 percent year-on-year in 2023.
That is to say, domestic brewers now face growing pressure from both changing consumption habits and an increasingly open market.
Learn more: What’s Happened to Vietnam’s Beer Market? Unpacked
Vietnam’s beer market
Vietnam is among the largest beer-consuming countries in Asia, with a market shaped by strong domestic brands, expanding international players, and a growing craft segment.
While mass-market lagers continue to dominate, the industry is evolving in response to changing consumer preferences, demographic shifts, and economic conditions.
Astute Analytica analysis
Vietnam’s beer market could reach US$14.15 billion by 2032, according to a market report from Astute Analytica.
The market intelligence firm says Vietnam’s beer market was worth US$7.5 billion and that it is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 7.27 percent from 2024 to 2032.
FiinTrade analysis
Vietnam’s beer sector saw a sharp decline in domestic sales in Q2 2025, with demand falling after the Tet holiday and amid continued pressure from inflation.
Beer and malt were among the worst-hit F&B segments, contributing to a broader 10.1 percent quarter-on-quarter drop in industry revenue, according to FiinGroup.
While exports in other food categories showed resilience, beer consumption remained subdued as discretionary spending softened. Rising input costs — including imported raw materials and logistics — further compressed margins across the sector.
Beers in Vietnam
Vietnam’s beer market is one of the largest and fastest-growing in Southeast Asia, shaped by a blend of local tradition and international influence.
This list highlights the key players in the market, offering a snapshot of the country’s most recognised and widely consumed beer labels.
Local beers
Well-known local Vietnamese beers include:
Bia Saigon (Sabeco)
One of Vietnam’s most iconic beer brands, available in varieties like Saigon Special, Saigon Export, and Saigon Lager. Known for its light, crisp taste and wide national reach.
333 (Ba Ba Ba)
Also brewed by Sabeco, 333 is a popular legacy brand with a slightly stronger taste. Often associated with working-class drinkers and traditional bia hoi venues.
Hanoi Beer (Habeco)
A northern favourite brewed by Habeco, Hanoi Beer has a mild and easy-drinking flavour. The brand includes Hanoi Beer Premium and Hanoi Export.
Truc Bach
A more premium offering from Habeco, named after Hanoi’s Truc Bach Lake. Known for its smoother, maltier profile.
Huda Beer
Originating from Hue and now under Carlsberg Vietnam, Huda has a strong regional presence in central Vietnam and is appreciated for its clean, smooth finish.
Bivina
An affordable lager brand, positioned as a value beer, brewed by Sabeco. Less prominent than its flagship labels.
Lac Viet Beer
A newer brand from Saigon Beer, aimed at younger consumers with modern branding and marketing campaigns.
Vietnam craft beers
Vietnam has several big-name, locally branded beers.
These are some of the most well-known.
Pasteur Street Brewing Co.
One of Vietnam’s most recognised craft breweries, founded in Ho Chi Minh City in 2015.
Known for combining American brewing techniques with local ingredients like jasmine, passionfruit, and Vietnamese coffee.
Heart of Darkness
Based in Ho Chi Minh City, this award-winning craft brewery is known for bold, hop-forward beers and a rotating tap list.
Offers IPAs, stouts, pale ales, and seasonal releases.
East West Brewing Co.
A large-format brewery and restaurant in central Saigon.
It produces a wide range of Western-style beers with a focus on quality and consistency. Popular with expats and tourists.
7 Bridges Brewing Co.
Founded in Da Nang, this brewery is known for its sustainability focus and creative beer styles.
Its flagship beers include Dragon IPA and Imperial Chocolate Stout.
Belgo
A Belgian-style brewery and bistro in Ho Chi Minh City offering authentic Belgian brews like Tripels and Dubbels, brewed locally using traditional methods.
See also: How to Brew Beer in Vietnam: Ultimate Guide
Foreign beer brands in Vietnam
Vietnam’s dynamic beer market has attracted major global brewers, many of which have established local production facilities or distribution partnerships.
The following are some of the most prominent foreign beer brands now brewed or widely distributed within Vietnam.
Heineken
Brewed locally by Heineken Vietnam, it’s one of the top-selling premium beers in the country, especially in urban areas and clubs.
Tiger Beer
A Singaporean brand under the Heineken Group, Tiger is hugely popular in Vietnam and marketed heavily to younger consumers.
Larue Beer
Owned by Heineken, Larue is popular in central and southern Vietnam. Slightly stronger in flavour than other local lagers.
Budweiser
Brewed in Vietnam by AB InBev, Budweiser targets the premium segment and is often seen in bars, lounges, and music events.
Sapporo
A Japanese beer brand with a brewing facility in southern Vietnam. Known for its smooth, slightly dry flavour profile.
Carlsberg
Although less visible nationally, Carlsberg owns Huda and Halida and is expanding its reach in the north and central regions.
Buying and selling beer in Vietnam
This section covers the logistics of buying and selling beer in Vietnam. This includes prices, taxes, distribution, and regulations.
Prices
The price of a beer in Vietnam can vary greatly. On the streets of Hanoi, a glass of tap beer can cost as little as VND 10,000 or about US$0.40 cents.
At the local corner store, a canned beer or tinnie runs at about VND 20,000 to 30,000 or about US$0.80 cents to US$1.20.
At bars, a beer can run quite a bit higher depending on how classy the bar is and what kind of beer.
Craft beers, for example, in expat areas can cost anywhere between US$5 and US$10.
Taxes
Three key taxes apply to beer. These are import tax, value-added tax, and special consumption tax.
- Import tax: Beer imports come under HS code 22030099. All types of beer imported into Vietnam attract an import tax of 35 percent. This tax is detailed in Decree 26/2023/ND-CP.
- Value-added tax (VAT): The Value-added Tax in Vietnam is 10 percent. Basically, it is a consumption-based tax usually charged at the point of sale.
- Special consumption tax (SCT): Vietnam’s Special Consumption Tax applies to a select number of luxury goods and services that could be perceived to have negative social impacts. Gambling, cigarettes, and alcohol, among a number of others. Per the SCT, beer attracts an additional tax of 65 percent.
🍺SNAPSHOT: Excise tax hikes to impact pricing from 2026 under revised law
Vietnam’s revised Law on Special Consumption Tax will gradually increase excise duties on alcoholic beverages, including beer, starting in 2026.
The National Assembly has approved a new tax schedule that will raise levies on wine and beer over a five-year period, with beer following the same phased increases as lower-strength wine.
The changes come as part of a broader fiscal and public health strategy that also introduces new taxes on soft drinks and restructures tobacco and fuel levies.
For beer producers, the staged tax hikes will likely put upward pressure on retail prices, squeeze margins, and reinforce existing headwinds in a market already facing subdued consumption and rising import competition. Read more…
Distribution
In Vietnam, beer generally comes in cartons or cases of 24, or as single units.
Packs of six are not as common as they might be elsewhere in the world.
Aside from entertainment venues, beer can generally be purchased at supermarkets, convenience stores, and most corner stores.
Kegs are also available from the major beer suppliers, and in Hanoi, at the Habeco factory, beer can be purchased from the factory door.
In terms of imports, accessing key population centres is relatively easy.
Vietnam’s biggest cities all have access to relatively big ports accepting goods coming in and shipping them out.
There are also an abundance of logistics firms that can facilitate the movement of goods.
Regulations
Making and selling beer in Vietnam is governed by the Alcohol Law.
Generally speaking, the legal drinking age in Vietnam is 18 years of age.
This is, however, not always followed or enforced.
There is zero tolerance for drunk driving–Vietnamese drivers should have no alcohol in their blood at all.
This is also not always enforced either; however, the authorities have, of late, become much more strict on drunk driving.
Bars, pubs, and retailers selling beer in Vietnam are required to have a liquor licence and beer brewers in Vietnam are required to have a food safety certificate and to make product quality self-declarations.
FAQ: Beer in Vietnam
These are some of the most commonly asked questions about beer in Vietnam.
How popular is beer in Vietnam?
Vietnam is one of the biggest beer-consuming countries in Southeast Asia and ranks seventh globally, ahead of the United Kingdom.
Beer is a key part of Vietnamese culture and plays a major role in the country’s food and beverage sector.
What are the most popular beer brands in Vietnam?
Top domestic brands include Hanoi Beer (Habeco) and Saigon Beer (Sabeco).
International brands like Heineken and Carlsberg are also widely available.
Does Vietnam have craft beers?
The craft beer industry in Vietnam has expanded significantly in recent years, particularly in major cities like Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Danang.
Improved access to ingredients and a growing base of affluent consumers have helped craft beer become a notable part of the market.
How is beer taxed in Vietnam?
Beer in Vietnam is subject to a 35 percent import tax, a 10 percent value-added tax (VAT), and a 65 percent special consumption tax (SCT).
Sales and production are regulated under the Alcohol Law, with licensing, safety certification, and drunk-driving enforcement playing key roles.
What opportunities exist for foreign beers in Vietnam?
With a large and youthful population, increasing disposable incomes, and evolving consumer preferences, Vietnam offers significant opportunities for foreign brewers and suppliers.
The market is expanding, particularly in premium segments, supported by favourable trade agreements and a growing craft beer culture.
What is the legal drinking age in Vietnam?
The legal drinking age in Vietnam is 18 years old.
What’s next?
Vietnam beer is widely available in bars, clubs, corner stores, and supermarkets.
This is in line with the Vietnamese being among the biggest beer drinkers in Asia.
But whereas cheap beer street-side has often been the go-to for a quick tipple, alongside Vietnam’s greater global integration, its beer culture has advanced too.
Craft breweries now pockmark Vietnam’s biggest cities, and more expensive foreign brands are appearing on supermarket shelves as well.
That is to say, Vietnam’s beer market is expanding and presents big opportunities for beer brewers, brands, and suppliers.
With this in mind, brew-masters interested in Vietnamese beer and its beer market can best keep up to date with the market’s evolution by subscribing to the-shiv.
First published February 15, 2024. Last updated February 9, 2026.