Vietnam offers a variety of ways to quench your thirst on hot and humid days. From sugar cane juice to local beers and artisan rice wine, here is our list of drinks to try in Vietnam:
Sinh to (fruit smoothie)
The abundance of fresh tropical fruit is just a blender and a block of ice away from becoming a delicious smoothie. Fresh dragonfruit, jackfruit, custard apple and banana are all popular in drinks, as well as local strawberries, thanks to Vietnam’s cooler, mountainous regions.
Fresh coconut juice
Enjoyed straight from a green coconut, fresh coconut juice is sweet, revitalising and comes with the added bonus of roadside theatre as you watch someone artfully slice open a coconut with a machete. Smaller coconuts tend to be sweeter. Try to find a roadside stall that keeps their coconuts on the ice.
Nuoc mia (sugar cane juice)
Sugar cane juice is less sweet than it sounds and squeezed from fresh canes by roadside vendors. Juice from calamansi, a sour mandarin-like fruit, is often added to round out its grassy flavour.
Soda chanh (lime soda)
This concoction of fresh lime, sugar syrup and soda water is as simple as it is refreshing. Fancier places will serve the sugar syrup on the side of your drink so that you can adjust the ratio of sweet to tart to suit your taste.
Bia (beer)
Submerse yourself in the boozier part of northern Vietnam’s street life by enjoying a bai hoi – a low alcohol, watery larger served straight from the keg – while sitting on the plastic chairs provided by roadside vendors. Vietnam also has a burgeoning microbrewery scene centred in Saigon and growing in Hanoi.
Ruou can (rice wine)
Glutinous rice is brewed with herbs in large earthenware jugs for a month to create this local tipple - the sort of thing you might find on a Hmong homestay.
Water
It's important to stay hydrated while travelling in Vietnam. We recommend packing a reusable bottle with filtered water to take with you as local tap water is not safe to drink.
Enjoy a refreshing bia hoi (beer) with your street food.
Click to read what to eat in Vietnam
Click to return to Vietnam FAQs
Our Vietnam Tours
10 Days
From
1560
Take a ten-day tour of Vietnam from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, with stops to cruise the...
18 Days
From
2876
Travel into the heart and soul of South East Asia on this comprehensive tour of Vietnam...
10 Days
From
1570
Travel through Vietnam from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi. Highlights include meeting...
8 Days
From
2195
Discover the highlights and traditions of Vietnam on this short Premium adventure from...
9 Days
From
1405
Travel from Vietnam to Thailand on a South East Asian adventure that explores Cambodia...
15 Days
From
3695
Uncover Vietnam on a Premium journey from south to north, taking in Ho Chi Minh City,...
8 Days
From
1870
From Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, discover the delights of one of South East Asia's...
Tailor-Made trips
Take two or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary
11 Days
From
1250
Head from old-world Hanoi to ancient Hue and on to pretty Hoi An via beachy Phan Rang,...
15 Days
From
2125
Journey from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City on this 15-day Vietnam adventure. Trek in the...
13 Days
From
4715
Be immersed in the rich historic and cultural heritage of Vietnam and Cambodia on this...
15 Days
From
3085
Uncover the proud, spirited heart of Vietnam on this classic adventure. Tour Hanoi,...
18 Days
From
3200
Follow the ancient trails through Cambodia and Vietnam. Explore Angkor’s temples,...
13 Days
From
2015
Experience the Asia of old on a family adventure that captures the spirit of Vietnam....
15 Days
From
3020
Jump in the saddle for a two-wheeled adventure tour of Vietnam. Take in cultural...
15 Days
From
1620
Discover Vietnam’s east coast on this 15-day tour, uncovering the hidden delights of...
20 Days
From
6145
Discover the incredible diversity, delectable cuisines, dramatic histories and natural...
11 Days
From
1175
Delve into Vietnamese culture on this 11-day Lonely Planet Experience powered by...
12 Days
From
2695
Travel the breadth of Vietnam, from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, experiencing tranquil...
12 Days
From
1430
Hit Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City on a 12-day Lonely Planet Experience through Cambodia...
24 Days
From
9225
Discover the highlights and traditions of Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia on this 24-day...
13 Days
From
4011
Uncover the dramatic histories of these two beautiful countries on a trip through the...
13 Days
From
2320
Experience Vietnamese customs and charms on a 13-day family adventure from Hanoi to Ho...
15 Days
From
1655
Take a 15-day Vietnam adventure from hectic Ho Chi Minh City to historic Hanoi,...
11 Days
From
1930
Hike, bike and kayak across Vietnam on this active tour based out of Hanoi. Trek in...
30 Days
From
5710
Travel into the heart and soul of South East Asia on this comprehensive tour of...
20 Days
From
3240
From bustling Ho Chi Minh City to historical Hanoi, the Best of Vietnam tour is an...
9 Days
From
1075
From Bangkok you'll hit the ancient streets and temples of Angkor in Siem Reap, get...
22 Days
From
2560
Bounce from Hanoi to Cat Ba Island, through Phnom Penh, Kampot and Siem Reap, then head...
12 Days
From
1400
Travel to Cambodia on a 12-day Lonely Planet Experience, powered by Intrepid, from Ho...
22 Days
From
2500
Explore South East Asia on a 22-day Lonely Planet Experience through Vietnam, Cambodia...
26 Days
From
2850
Experience the best of South East Asia with Lonely Planet. Marvel at the Angkor complex...
12 Days
From
1380
Dive headfirst from Ho Chi Minh City into real Cambodia, visiting Phnom Penh, Siem Reap...
13 Days
From
3405
See Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand from two wheels on this 13-day adventure from Ho Chi...
23 Days
From
3430
Explore vibrant Vietnam, charismatic Cambodia and beguiling Bangkok on this awesome...
20 Days
From
5190
Get to know Vietnam and Cambodia, each with their own uniquely enchanting culture and...
23 Days
From
2645
Take a trip with the lot – Angkor Wat, Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hue, Phong...
35 Days
From
5045
Join us for the South East Asian trip of your dreams – a little bit of Bangkok, a pinch...
22 Days
From
4135
South East Asia Uncovered snakes its way through the delights of Thailand, Laos and...
9 Days
From
1865
Get the most out of your family getaway by cycling, kayaking, walking and cruising...
20 Days
From
4965
Taste the true flavours of Vietnam and Cambodia, feasting on local food and catching...
27 Days
From
6020
Gear up for an energising and rewarding cycling tour that takes in the best of...
8 Days
From
1480
Jump in the saddle for a two-wheeled adventure tour of Northern Vietnam. Take in...
5 Days
From
430
Trek through Vietnam's mountainous region in the north-west to experience hiltribe...
2 Days
From
415
Cast away on a traditional-style boat and set sail through hundreds of limestone karsts...
2 Days
From
280
See local industry, beautiful islands and what life is like along the mighty Mekong...
