The Original Craft Beer tour of Hanoi

Beer takes you beyond the Old Quarter. This five-hour Hanoi tour visits four local breweries, with up to 12 craft beer tastings, Vietnamese and Western snacks, and an English-speaking guide to explain what you are drinking. I like the easy minibus transport and the small group size, which keeps the evening social without turning it into a noisy beer crawl.

I also like that the route reaches areas around 10 kilometers south of Hanoi’s old town. You see a less familiar side of the city while someone else handles the traffic. The main point to consider is the price: at $120 per person, this is not a cheap night out, so you need to value the included transport, food, tastings, and guide service.

Four breweries, 12 tastings, and a ride through Hanoi

• Four brewery stops take you beyond the usual Old Quarter circuit.
• Up to 12 craft beers let you compare several local styles in one evening.
• Snacks at each venue include selected Vietnamese and Western foods, with a vegetarian option available.
• A maximum of 12 people keeps the outing more personal than a large pub tour.
• Hotel pickup and drop-off are offered at selected hotels, with a central meeting point for others.
• Guide Julien received specific praise for explaining Hanoi’s craft beer scene clearly and professionally.

Leaving the Old Quarter at 4 p.m.

The tour begins at 4 p.m. Pickup is available from selected hotels, but you may instead need to meet at 19 Hai Ba Trưng, Hàng Bài, in Hoàn Kiếm. Check your pickup arrangement before the day, since the included hotel service does not apply to every address.

Once the group is together, you board an air-conditioned minibus. This is a real benefit in Hanoi, where crossing the city can take patience, especially when you are trying to keep track of several brewery addresses and tasting times. You can watch the streets go by, talk with the other beer fans, and leave the navigation to the guide.

The group limit is 12 people, with at least two required per booking. That size gives the tour a social feel without making conversation difficult. It also matters at a brewery, where a large crowd can make explanations hard to hear.

The route is designed to take you out of the best-known tourist center. You are not simply walking between bars near Hoàn Kiếm Lake. Instead, the minibus carries you to local breweries that many first-time visitors would not find on their own.

Stop one, about 10 kilometers south of the Old Quarter

The first brewery is about 10 kilometers south of the old town. That distance is part of the appeal. It shows how much of Hanoi sits beyond the compact historic center, and it gives the tour a sense of movement rather than making it feel like four similar bar visits.

You spend about 45 minutes at this stop. The brewery is described as one of the early local breweries in Hanoi, giving the guide a chance to explain how the city’s craft beer scene began to grow. You taste three craft beers and receive finger foods alongside them.

Three beers at the first stop is enough to begin comparing flavors without rushing through the visit. The snacks also matter. You are not drinking on an empty stomach, and the food pairing makes the stop feel more like a hosted tasting than a simple round of drinks.

The exact beers can vary. Brewery visits depend on the brewmasters’ brewing schedule, so you should treat the selection as flexible rather than expecting a fixed menu. That uncertainty is a small drawback for anyone who wants to plan every tasting in advance, but it also means the evening can reflect what is being produced locally at the time.

Stop two, where the brewery story continues

The second stop adds another three craft beers and more finger foods. Here, the guide discusses the history of a newer local brewery, giving you a useful contrast with the first stop.

That comparison is one of the better ideas in the tour. You are not only sampling beer. You are hearing how different breweries fit into Hanoi’s growing brewing culture, from earlier local production to newer operations. The tour does not provide detailed brewery names or a fixed description of every venue, so your guide’s explanation will be especially important.

This is also where the small group can make a difference. A group of 12 or fewer gives you a reasonable chance to ask about ingredients, brewing methods, and the changing beer market. A larger group would make that harder, especially after a few samples.

The food is described as a mix of Vietnamese and Western selections. If you have dietary needs, tell the operator when booking. Vegetarian food is available, but it should be requested ahead of time rather than assumed.

Stops three and four, with the tasting count building

The full outing includes four breweries, and the tasting plan allows for up to 12 beers in total. The available details describe the first two stops clearly, while the final two continue the brewery visits and tastings across Hanoi.

That wording, up to 12, is worth noting. It suggests the number or selection may depend on the breweries’ schedules and what is available on the evening you go. You should expect a broad sample of local craft beer, but not necessarily the same 12 pours every day.

Four stops also make the five-hour length easier to understand. Time is needed for the drive, seating, explanations, food, and tastings. This is not a quick tasting flight squeezed into an hour. It is an evening route with several brewery visits and a return to central Hanoi.

The final point is 40 Nhà Chung, Hàng Trống, near St. Joseph’s Cathedral. That location works well if you plan to continue your evening in the center, though the tour does not promise a particular onward activity or restaurant reservation.

What the $120 price really covers

At $120 per person, the tour costs more than ordering local beer independently. The price makes more sense when you count the full package:

• Air-conditioned minibus transport between four stops
• Pickup and drop-off at selected hotels
• An English-speaking driver-guide
• Up to 12 craft beer tastings
• Bottled water
• Vietnamese and Western snacks
• A small group capped at 12 people

The included transport is the strongest value point. Hanoi traffic can be tiring, and arranging four separate brewery visits yourself would take time and local planning. You also avoid the problem of deciding how to travel after drinking.

The included food helps too. You are not paying $120 just for a sequence of tiny beer samples. The tour pairs drinks with snacks at each venue, which makes the evening more substantial.

Still, this price will not suit every budget. If you mainly want to drink inexpensive Vietnamese beer, you can spend far less in Hanoi. I would choose this tour for its access, organization, and variety, not because it offers the cheapest beer in town.

The wording around alcoholic drinks deserves a careful look. The tour includes the advertised beer tastings, beverages, and water, while additional alcoholic drinks may be available for purchase. If you want more than the planned samples, budget for possible extra charges.

Why the guide can make or break the evening

A beer tour works best when the guide connects the drinks to the city. The guide is expected to explain the local brewery scene, introduce the venues, keep the group moving, and help with the practical side of the evening.

Julien received particular praise for professional guidance and for talking about Hanoi’s craft beer scene in a way that helped guests learn. That is useful information if you want more than a drinking route. A good explanation can turn an unfamiliar pale ale, stout, or wheat beer into a point of comparison rather than just another glass.

The provider is A Taste of Hanoi. The guide speaks English, and the tour is designed for international visitors as well as people who want a guided look at local brewing.

The guide’s role also matters because the beer list is not fixed. With brewery schedules affecting which places can be visited and what is being poured, you need someone who can explain the changes and keep the evening coherent.

Snacks, vegetarian food, and pacing

The food is described as carefully paired Vietnamese and Western snacks. The portions are finger foods rather than a full dinner, so I would not book this expecting a complete evening meal.

That said, snacks are important during a tasting that may include up to 12 beers. They give you something to eat between pours and help spread the drinking across five hours. Bottled water is also included, a practical touch during a long evening out.

Vegetarian food is available if requested at booking. Specific dietary requirements should also be provided in advance. The information does not promise a full range of allergy-safe meals, so you should be precise about what you cannot eat and confirm that the operator can accommodate it.

The pace is likely to feel relaxed rather than rushed. Each brewery needs time for tasting and conversation, while the minibus takes you between neighborhoods. If you prefer spending a long time at one favorite taproom, this format may feel too structured. If you want variety, it works well.

Who should book this Hanoi beer tour?

I would recommend it most strongly to adults who enjoy craft beer and want a planned evening outside the Old Quarter. It suits first-time visitors who do not know Hanoi’s brewery addresses, couples looking for a social outing, and small groups that want transport handled from start to finish.

It is also a good fit if you are curious about Hanoi’s newer food and drink culture. The tour gives you a look at local brewing while taking you through parts of the city you may not otherwise reach.

You should think twice if you do not drink alcohol, dislike group tours, or want a quiet meal at one location. The minimum drinking age is 18, and the tour is built around beer tasting. It is not presented as a sightseeing tour with only a token drink stop.

The small-group cap helps, but this is still a shared outing. You will meet other beer enthusiasts and follow a set route. That social element is part of the value, not a side detail.

Practical details before you reserve

The tour lasts about five hours and starts at 4 p.m. The central start point is 19 P. Hai Bà Trưng, Hàng Bài, Hoàn Kiếm, while the listed end point is 40 P. Nhà Chung, Hàng Trống, near St. Joseph’s Cathedral.

Hotel pickup and drop-off apply only to selected hotels. If your hotel is not covered, use the stated meeting point and allow time to reach it. The tour runs with a minimum of two people and a maximum of 12.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made later are not accepted for a refund.

The tour is near public transportation, and most adults can participate. You should still tell the operator about dietary requirements when booking, especially if you need vegetarian food.

Should you book The Original Craft Beer Tour of Hanoi?

Book it if you want Hanoi’s craft beer scene with the hard parts handled. The combination of four breweries, up to 12 tastings, snacks, air-conditioned transport, and a small group gives you a fuller evening than simply ordering one beer near the lake.

I especially like the route beyond the Old Quarter and the chance to compare an earlier local brewery with a newer one. Julien’s praised guidance is another reason to expect useful context, not just a succession of pours.

Skip it if $120 feels too high for an evening of beer, or if you prefer choosing your own bars and spending at your own pace. For everyone else, this is a sensible choice for an organized, social introduction to Hanoi’s independent brewing scene. Just request vegetarian or dietary accommodations in advance, confirm the pickup point, and remember that the exact beers may change with brewery schedules.

FAQ

How long does the craft beer tour last?

The tour lasts approximately five hours.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 4 p.m.

How many breweries are included?

The route includes visits to four different breweries.

How many beers will I taste?

You can taste up to 12 different craft beers during the tour. The exact selection may depend on the breweries’ brewing schedules.

Are food and snacks included?

Yes. Snacks are included, with selected Vietnamese and Western foods served along the route.

Is a vegetarian option available?

Yes. A vegetarian option is available, but you should request it when booking. Specific dietary requirements should also be provided in advance.

What is the group size?

The tour requires at least two people per booking and allows a maximum of 12 participants.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are available from selected hotels. The listed meeting point for other participants is 19 P. Hai Bà Trưng, Hàng Bài, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi.