Bet you didn’t know that Vietnam is a rising star in the craft beer scene, did you? We didn’t either until we first visited Saigon in 2018 and sampled as many local brews as we could. (Fast forward to 2019 and we’re living here!) The Saigon beer scene rivals that of any city in the US, and they are just getting started!
Expats from all over the world have relocated to this large, metropolitan city to experiment with local flavors like passion fruit, dragon fruit, and beetroot. You’ll find some craft beers and breweries in Saigon are quite similar to what you’d find at home, while others are unlike anything you’ve ever tasted before. Tasting rooms are large, modern, lively, and full of foreigners and locals alike. Many also serve delectable bar snacks and have lively rooftop patios, perfect for an afternoon of beer sampling.
We’ve compiled a list of the most popular breweries in Saigon including our favorite brews for our fellow craft beer lovers.
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The Best Craft Beers & Breweries in Saigon
1. Pasteur Street Brewing
Let’s start with one of our favorite breweries in Saigon – Pasteur Street Brewing. With interesting local ingredients like jasmine, pomelo, and dragonfruit, you’ll get to experience some unique Asian flavors that you won’t find in your craft beer back home. We recommend getting the taster tray so you can try six of their most interesting flavor combinations before settling on a pint of your favorite.
If you can’t be bothered with a tasting tray, then go straight for a pint of Pasteur Street’s Passion Fruit Wheat Ale. It’s our absolute favorite craft beer in Saigon, and fortunately, it is one of the beers that they distribute (we often buy it in the 7-Eleven in our apartment building).
Pasteur Street Brewing now has three locations in Saigon – two in District 1 and a third in Thao Dien (District 2).
The original taproom is small and intimate. It’s located on Pasteur Street (obviously) behind the Rex Hotel. Head down the alleyway and up a flight of stairs. It only has seating for ~15 people but there is definitely a nostalgic appeal to this location. They have also recently expanded to include some rooftop seating tucked further down the alleyway.
Pasteur Street Brewing’s second location in District 1 is by far our favorite. Located at 26A Lê Thánh Tôn, this new taproom and restaurant are much more spacious than the original location. It’s spread out over three levels with a third-floor balcony overlooking the street below.
Pasteur Street Brewing also has locations in Hanoi and Hoi An so even if your Vietnam itinerary doesn’t include Saigon, you can still enjoy their delicious craft beers!
2. Winking Seal Beer Co.
Not only does Winking Seal Beer Co. have a really tasty beer, but they also have the most adorable logo of any of the breweries in Saigon.
The Mekong Mashup Summer Ale is one of our favorite craft beers in Saigon. Infused with flavors from Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, this beer is the perfect escape from the oppressive heat of southern Vietnam. It’s light and refreshing with a nice, smooth flavor.
The Dragon Fruit Pale Ale is another nice summery beer and the Bohemian Bastard IPA is sure to please any hoppy beer fans.
Head to the rooftop patio where they have a nice seating area with additional beer taps so you don’t have to worry about climbing the stairs every time you need a refill.
3 Tê Tê TapHouse
The Tê Tê White Ale is a Belgian-style beer that is light and refreshing – perfect for a hot day in Saigon. It’s one of Saigon’s older craft beers but for a long time, there was no dedicated taproom or brewery that was open to the public.
Fortunately, Tê Tê now has its own dedicated taproom in Da Kao (District 1). The Tê Tê TapHouse is located at 90 Đường Nguyễn Văn Thủ. It’s a two-story with a modern industrial feel that so many Saigon breweries seem to prefer.
Tê Tê has also significantly expanded its repertoire of craft beers and you can try them all at the TapHouse along with several guest taps.
4. East West Brewing Company
East West Brewery is another crowd-favorite Saigon brewery. The head brewer at East West Brewing is Sean Thommen who began brewing in Portland, Oregon – otherwise known as the “Craft Beer Capital of the World.” You’ll find a wide selection of craft beers catering to every palate. They have a Summer Hefeweizen, a Pale Ale, an IPA, a Dark, a Blonde, a Stout, and a Coffee Vanilla Porter.
But, in our opinion, the real star of the line-up is the Saigon Rose, a light, crisp, fruit-forward, day-drinking kind of beer. It’s just over 3% alcohol so you can knock back quite a few without getting overly intoxicated – it’s one of our favorite craft beers in Saigon.
The East West Brewing space is huge! With a large interior seating area as well as a beautiful rooftop space. The decor is modern, the ceilings are high, and it’s bright, lively, and bustling with activity. They offer craft beer, a large wine selection, cocktails, and a huge food menu.
East West Brewing also has Kegs N’ Eggs Sunday brunch from 11 am until 3 pm where the buffet will run you 500 VND/person and you can add free-flow beer for an additional 350 VND/person.
5. Heart of Darkness
Heart of Darkness is one of the original craft beer breweries in Saigon. It’s a classic, hipster, American-style brewery. Exposed brick walls and dark lighting give it the industrial feeling that many breweries strive for these days.
Offering a wide selection of beer taps behind the bar and some scrumptious bar snacks, you won’t even realize that you’re still in SE Asia! The Mexican Lager is light and refreshing, perfect after a day of exploring Saigon in the hot sun.
6. BiaCraft
This lively brewery has plenty of seating to accommodate everyone without feeling overly crowded. The windows are plastic that can be rolled up when the weather is sunny or pulled down if a sudden thunderstorm hits. The waitstaff is friendly and helpful, and are clearly lovers of their artisan ales. They’re happy to give you a few small tastes to help you decide on a pint.
Offering their own brews as well as a wide selection of craft beers from other local and foreign breweries, they have something to satisfy everyone. You can’t go wrong with any of their IPAs – they are all hoppy and delicious.
7. Ruộng Pub & Hub
Ruộng Pub & Hub is an open-air bar that is the perfect place to spend a sunny afternoon enjoying a cold brew. They have a laid-back, casual vibe and it’s impossible not to enjoy the setting. They also have a large projector screen and plenty of tables to accommodate large crowds during popular televised sporting events.
The beer is creative and unique, although it may not please every palette. Their “Blood” Wheat Ale is flavored with Vietnamese beetroot and is refreshing on a hot day, as is the Blonde Ale.
The Ginger Pale Ale is another unique option and a must for any ginger fans, but it would be difficult to drink an entire pint. Other interesting craft beer flavors include an Herbal Ale and a Whiskey Beer.
8. Belgo, The Belgian Brewery
If you’re a fan of Belgian beers, Belgo most certainly won’t disappoint! The space is really nice – it’s large with high ceilings and has an industrial feeling with exposed brick walls and metal banisters on the stairs. There are plenty of seating areas upstairs, downstairs, and outside to accommodate crowds.
Belgo’s craft beers are brewed in the classic Belgian style. They have an Amber, a Blond, a Witbier, a Dark Ale, a Saison, and a few other specialties. They’ll give you small samples if you’d like or you can get the sampler of 4. They also offer unique beer cocktails that are definitely worth trying.
Other Craft Beers in Saigon
Lạc Brewing Company
If you enjoy the IPA-obsessed beer culture of the Pacific NW then make sure you check out Lạc Brewing Company. Their beer selection includes the Summer Session IPA, Devils’ Lake Double IPA, and the popular Mango IPA.
Rooster Beers
Rooster Beers focuses on straightforward, easy-to-drink craft beers. No fruity flavors here. The Saigon Blonde and IPA are their most popular beers, and they are indeed easy to drink. Rooster Beers has an informal tasting room and restaurant tucked just off of Bui Vien Street called The Chicken Coop where you can try all six craft brews.
Fuzzy Logic
You’ll find Fuzzy Logic’s flagship beer, the Fuzzy Logic Pale Ale, widely available around Saigon and easily recognizable by the bright orange can and contemplating monkey logo. It’s got a great balance of citrus flavor and American hops.
Mekong Brewing Company
Mekong Brewing Company is another Saigon brewery that focuses on a single flagship beer – the Blue Elephant IPA. It’s a solid choice for an IPA, and as an added bonus they donate a part of their sales to save Elephants and Rhinos through the World Wildlife Fund. Your best bet for finding the Blue Elephant IPA is at BiaCraft or Rogue Saigon.
Platinum
Platinum Beers was the first commercial microbrewery to open in Vietnam and paved the way for the Saigon craft beer movement. Their Platinum Pale Ale was released in June of 2014 and the Golden Ale followed about a year later. You’ll find Platinum beers available at several bars around Saigon. One great place to try it is at the Ben Thanh Street Food market which also has live music on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 7 pm – 9 pm.
Saigon Cider
If craft beer isn’t your cup of… um, beer, then how about an ice-cold glass of cider? Saigon Cider is the first cider brewed and bottled in Vietnam. If you don’t mind spice, then try the Apple & Lam Dong Chili Cider!
Book a Saigon Craft Beer Tour
We always prefer to find our own way in a new country and tend to shy away from group tours. But if you prefer to have a guide to show you the best breweries in Saigon, you can book this Night Craft Beer Tour!
Craft Beer Bars in Saigon
Rogue Saigon
Not only does Rogue Saigon have a plethora of tasty craft beers on tap, but they also have a nice rooftop space where they often have live music. They host plenty of events and specials throughout the week including daily happy hour (from 5 pm – 7 pm) and ladies’ night on Thursdays.
Saigon Outcast
So much more than a bar, Saigon Outcast is an outdoor event space in District 2 that hosts live music, flea markets, movie nights, and other fun events. You’ll also find an outdoor rock climbing wall, a skateboard half-pipe, shipping containers covered in graffiti, and, of course, several local craft beers on tap.
Urban Basement
Tucked underneath the Sunrise Central Hotel, just a couple blocks north of Ben Thanh market, you’ll find Urban Basement. If you have trouble deciding which beer to start with then order the “beer paddle” – a sampler of 4 beers for 200,000 VND. It’s a great way to start getting acquainted with the local brews.
Malt
With darts, shuffleboard, and a dozen craft beers on tap, Malt has all the makings of an American-style gastropub. Stop by between 2 pm and 7 pm for happy hour discounts on food, beer, wine, and cocktails.
Ong Cau Craft Beer Bar
If you happen to find yourself in the madness of Bui Vien Street and thirsting for a craft beer, pop into Ong Cau. They serve up most of Saigon’s best microbrews at reasonable prices. And their second-floor patio gives you a great vantage point to watch the chaos unfold on the street below.
Saigon Craft Bar & Grill
Saigon Craft is located in the heart of Phu My Hung in District 7. They have a great patio and plenty of beers on tap along with good Western-style food. It’s out of the way unless you have other reasons to visit District 7, but you can pair it with a trip to the Lạc Brewing Company taproom which is right down the street.
Have you sampled Saigon’s craft beers? Do you have a favorite brewery in Saigon? Let us know if the comments below!
Where to Stay in Saigon
Most visitors will choose to stay in District 1, but you can also find some great accommodation in District 3 and District 4. Here are a few of our favorite spots around town:
The Myst Dong Khoi
The Myst Dong Khoi is a spectacular hotel, perfect if you are looking for a luxurious getaway. The rooftop pool is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Rooms are light and bright with classic decor and super comfortable beds.
Cochin Zen Hotel
The Cochin Zen Hotel is a truly lavish hotel in District 1, situated halfway between Ben Thanh market and Reunification Palace. You’ll love enjoying a refreshing cocktail on the rooftop pool with a view as well as working out in the well-equipped fitness center. Rooms are modern with every amenity you could wish for!
The Hammock Hotel
The Hammock Hotel offers something that you don’t get very often in your hotel – your own private hammock! Plus a free minibar full of snacks and beers that is restocked daily during your stay. You’ll love everything about this trendy hotel!
Want more info? Check out our favorite travel guides and books about Vietnam!
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Fascinating. I knew some brewers in Tucson who were working in local plants. I imagine the tropical fruits of Vietnam could make some fine microbrews. I would go for the Belgo or cider myself as I am not one for too much hopps.
Everywhere we travel together, we always research where to go for craft beer. So I love you wrote a whole blog post about this! Vietnam is definitely on our list of places to visit. Agreed that winking seal logo is so adorable! Very cute and unique for a brewery. Thanks for recs on where to stay too. The Hammock hotel would be super cool!
I would have never guessed Saigon to be a place to check out breweries or that there would be such a selection. Would love to taste some with passion fruit or dragon fruit
The Winking Seal Beer Co really does have such a cute logo. I didn’t realise there were so many microbreweries in Saigon.
First time finding out about craft beer in Vietnam! Must try! Im so excited about the dragon fruit and beetroot!
I m impressed by the selection of beers and breweries in Saigon. I didnt realize people in Vietnam love beer so much.
This is indeed a fresh perspective of Saigon and Vietnam. Never knew that there was such a treasure of breweries there. What an amazing list and each one of them seems to have their own unique character. Love the fact that what they serve are classic and traditional and there are many local variations too. The Saigon Rose seems to be a colourful and shining example of this.
My husband would love this post. I am not into beer. In Hanoi, he tasted egg beer while I dipped into egg coffee. A unique experience.
I am a absolute fan of Indio beer from Mexico. I lived there for 15 years and are in Nha Trang now. Does anyone know if any of the craft beers in Saigon are similar?
Hey Peter,
Thanks for reading! Yeah, Heart of Darkness Brewery has one – the Conquistador’s Mexican Pilsner. They describe it as “A bit of salt, a touch of lime, a go-to beer at the beach or with a plate of nachos, this Mexican inspired beer is an easy drinker. Grainy sweetness with a lemon-lime hop note, celebrate in style.” Enjoy!
Thank you