The Original Craft Beer tour of Hanoi

Hanoi’s craft beer scene is best understood away from the Old Quarter, and this tour takes you about 10 kilometers south of it to visit four local breweries. You taste up to 12 beers, eat along the way, and let someone else handle Hanoi’s famously busy roads.

I like the small group of no more than 12 people, which gives the guide room to explain the beers and brewery story without turning the outing into a moving crowd. I also like the included mix of Vietnamese and Western snacks, since the food helps pace the tasting and makes the five-hour tour feel like a full evening out.

The main drawback is the fixed route and schedule. You visit four breweries, but the exact brewery experience can depend on the brewmasters’ production schedule, and the price does not necessarily cover every alcoholic drink available for purchase.

Key points to know before booking

• Four breweries in one evening: You travel beyond the Old Quarter to visit several parts of Hanoi’s growing beer scene.
• Up to 12 tastings: The tour gives you a broad sample of local styles rather than one long stop at a single pub.
• Julien may be your guide: He is specifically praised for professional guidance and for explaining Hanoi’s craft beer scene clearly.
• Small-group transport: An air-conditioned minibus, hotel pickup from selected hotels, and drop-off simplify an evening in heavy traffic.
• Food is part of the plan: Vietnamese and Western finger foods are paired with the beer, with vegetarian choices available if requested in advance.
• A useful age limit: Every participant must be at least 18, and the tour requires at least two people to book.

Four breweries, twelve beers, and a different side of Hanoi

This is not a standard Old Quarter pub crawl. The point is to leave the central tourist streets, see how far Hanoi’s beer culture reaches, and compare several breweries in one outing.

You start at 4:00 p.m. and spend roughly five hours on the road and at the breweries. That timing works well for an evening activity. You get an early start before the night becomes too late, and the minibus means you do not need to plan your own route through Hanoi’s traffic.

The tour includes up to 12 craft beers, usually divided among four stops. That is enough variety to notice differences in brewing methods, flavors, and local character, even if you are not a serious beer expert. The guide also adds context about Hanoi’s newer brewery scene, which makes the tastings more meaningful than simply ordering one beer after another.

You should think of the number 12 as a maximum, not a guarantee that you will receive 12 full-size drinks. The available information describes tastings, and the pace is spread across the evening. If you prefer a slower drink, tell the guide early.

The 10-kilometer ride south of the Old Quarter

The group gathers at the start, with pickup from selected hotels available. The stated meeting point is 19 P. Hai Bà Trưng in the Hàng Bài area. From there, you board an air-conditioned minibus and head away from the Old Quarter.

That ride is part of the appeal. Hanoi’s craft breweries are not all lined up around the main sightseeing streets, so independent planning could mean several taxi rides, repeated address checks, and the worry of getting back after drinking. Here, the driver and guide manage the movement between stops.

The exact pickup arrangement matters. Hotel pickup is offered only from selected hotels, so you should confirm that your accommodation qualifies rather than assume door-to-door service. If it does not, use the listed meeting point.

The minibus also keeps the group together. With a maximum of 12 people, this is still a social outing, but it should be easier to hear the guide and move between venues than on a large coach tour. The tradeoff is that you follow the group’s timetable. You cannot linger at one brewery for an extra round or skip ahead whenever you wish.

Stop one: an early Hanoi brewery with three beers

The first brewery sits about 10 kilometers south of the Old Quarter and is described as one of Hanoi’s first local breweries. You spend about 45 minutes here and taste three craft beers with finger foods.

This opening stop gives you a useful starting point. You can begin comparing the character of Hanoi-made beer with what you may already know from international breweries or the common lagers served around Vietnam. Three samples in one place also help you settle into the tasting format before the evening moves on.

The 45-minute limit is both helpful and restrictive. It keeps the whole tour moving and leaves time for three more venues, but it does not allow for a long brewery visit or a slow meal. Expect a focused tasting rather than a detailed production tour.

You may also find that the brewery schedule affects what you see. The tour information notes that brewery visits depend on the brewmasters’ brewing schedule. That means the emphasis is on sampling and learning about the local beer scene, not on a guaranteed behind-the-scenes look at active brewing equipment.

Finger foods are served here, and snacks continue along the route. They are important because 12 tastings over five hours call for something to eat. The food is described as a mix of Vietnamese and Western selections, so you get more than a bowl of generic bar snacks.

Stop two: a newer brewery and its local story

The second stop focuses on a newer local brewery. Here, the guide discusses the brewery’s history while you taste another three beers with finger foods.

This is where the tour’s comparison format becomes useful. Rather than treating Hanoi craft beer as one single style, you get to see how different breweries present themselves and how their beers vary. The guide’s explanation gives each stop some identity, so you are not simply keeping score of six drinks.

If Julien leads your outing, his role appears especially important. He is named as a guide who offers professional guidance and talks in detail about Hanoi’s craft beer scene. That kind of explanation is valuable for anyone who wants more than a drink in a new place.

The limitation is that the provided schedule gives less detail about the individual beers than it does about the number of samples. You should expect the guide to explain what is being poured, but you cannot choose the full flight in advance from the information available.

Stops three and four: comparison rather than one big tasting room

The tour continues to two more brewery stops before returning toward central Hanoi. The schedule confirms four breweries overall and up to 12 beers, but it does not provide the names or exact tasting lineup for the final two venues.

That lack of detail is worth noting. If you want a carefully published brewery itinerary with fixed beer names, this may feel too open-ended. If you prefer to let the local guide shape the evening around what is available, the flexible arrangement can work in your favor.

The route is designed to show you places outside the usual sightseeing circuit. You are not just drinking in a central bar beside the cathedral. You are using a local beer interest as a reason to see another part of Hanoi, then returning to the center at the end.

The stated end point is 40 P. Nhà Chung, near St. Joseph Cathedral in Hàng Trống. That is practical if you want to continue your evening in the central area, though the tour does not promise drop-off at any location you choose. Ask about your exact hotel drop-off when booking, since the included service applies to selected hotels.

What you eat between the tastings

Food is included at the breweries, with Vietnamese and Western items selected to go with the beer. The description calls them snacks or finger foods, so you should not treat this as a full dinner with several substantial courses.

I like this arrangement for a beer tour. Small bites let you try local flavors without turning every stop into a long restaurant meal. They also give you something to eat between samples, which is a practical safety measure during a five-hour tasting.

Vegetarian food is available, but you need to request it when booking. You should also report other dietary requirements at that time. The tour confirms that the request can be accommodated, but it does not provide a detailed menu or promise that every item at every brewery will be suitable for every diet.

If you need a large dinner, eat something beforehand or plan a proper meal after the tour. The included snacks add real value, but they are not described as a complete evening meal.

Is $120 a fair price?

At $120 per person, this is not the cheapest way to drink beer in Hanoi. You can order local beer for far less in ordinary bars, and a self-guided evening in the Old Quarter will cost less in cash.

The price makes more sense when you count what is bundled together: up to 12 tastings, food at several venues, bottled water, an English-speaking driver-guide, an air-conditioned vehicle, and transport between breweries. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for selected hotels as well.

You are also paying for access to a spread-out beer scene. Without the minibus, four brewery visits could become a tiring series of taxi rides. The guide adds value by connecting the tastings to the history of newer local breweries, particularly at the second stop.

Still, keep an eye on the wording around alcoholic drinks. Beverages and tastings are included, but the tour information also says alcoholic drinks are available to purchase and are not included. I would treat the scheduled samples as covered and ask before ordering anything extra at a brewery.

For a visitor who wants craft beer, local context, and transport in one evening, $120 can be reasonable. For someone who simply wants inexpensive beer and a casual meal, it is probably more than necessary.

Who will enjoy this Hanoi beer tour most?

This outing suits an adult who wants to meet other beer enthusiasts and learn about Hanoi’s growing craft beer scene. The minimum age is 18, and the group size is capped at 12, so it has a social but relatively personal format.

It is a good choice if you are staying in the central districts and do not want to navigate Hanoi’s traffic after drinking. The vehicle removes much of the transport work, while the guide keeps the schedule moving.

You will get the most from it if you enjoy trying several styles in small portions. You do not need to be a beer specialist, but you should be comfortable with a tasting-centered evening and several group transfers.

This is less suitable if you want complete independence, a long brewery tour, or a full dinner. The timing is fixed, the route depends on brewery availability, and the final two stops are not described in the same detail as the first two.

Practical details that can affect your evening

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The tour requires at least two people per booking and accepts a maximum of 12 participants.

The start time is 4:00 p.m. The listed start point is 19 P. Hai Bà Trưng, Hàng Bài, Hoàn Kiếm. The listed end point is 40 P. Nhà Chung, Hàng Trống, near St. Joseph Cathedral.

Selected hotel pickup and drop-off are included, but you should check eligibility before booking. If you are meeting the group, arrive with enough time to find the address. Hanoi street addresses can be confusing, and you do not want to begin the evening by chasing a minibus.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

The tour has a mobile ticket, so keep your booking details accessible on your phone. A vegetarian option is available if requested in advance, and specific dietary needs should also be supplied before the tour.

Should you book The Original Craft Beer Tour of Hanoi?

I would book this tour if you want a guided introduction to Hanoi’s craft breweries, especially if you are staying in the Old Quarter and would rather not arrange transport yourself. The four-stop format, included snacks, and small group give the evening more substance than a simple bar crawl.

I would skip it if your main goal is the lowest possible beer price, a full dinner, or a fully personal route. You should also confirm what your $120 includes at the breweries, since extra alcoholic drinks may cost more.

The strongest reason to choose it is the combination of access and explanation. With a guide such as Julien, an air-conditioned minibus, and up to 12 tastings spread across four breweries, you get a practical way to see a less familiar side of Hanoi without spending the evening solving transport problems.

FAQ

How much does The Original Craft Beer Tour of Hanoi cost?

The tour costs $120 per person.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately five hours.

What time does the tour begin?

The stated start time is 4:00 p.m.

Where does the tour start?

The listed start point is 19 P. Hai Bà Trưng, Hàng Bài, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi, Vietnam.

Where does the tour end?

The listed end point is 40 P. Nhà Chung, Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm, near St. Joseph Cathedral.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are offered from selected hotels. You should confirm whether your hotel qualifies.

How many breweries do you visit?

The tour visits four different breweries.

How many beers can you taste?

You can taste up to 12 different craft beers during the tour.

Is food included?

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

Can I request vegetarian food?

Yes. A vegetarian option is available, but you need to request it when booking.