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 bia hoi with your street food in Vietnam.

 

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 829

Take a ten-day tour of Vietnam from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, with stops to cruise the...

18 Days From 1773

Travel into the heart and soul of South East Asia on this comprehensive tour of Vietnam...

10 Days From 829

Travel through Vietnam from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi. Highlights include meeting...

8 Days From 1494

Discover the highlights and traditions of Vietnam on this short Premium adventure from...

9 Days From 780

Travel from Vietnam to Thailand on a South East Asian adventure that explores Cambodia...

15 Days From 2547

Uncover Vietnam on a Premium journey from south to north, taking in Ho Chi Minh City,...

8 Days From 1211

Discover the spirit of Vietnam on a small group tour from south to north, visiting Ho...

Tailor-Made trips

Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary

15 Days From 1305

Journey from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City on this 15-day Vietnam adventure. Trek in the...

11 Days From 702

Head from old-world Hanoi to ancient Hue and on to pretty Hoi An via Ninh Binh,...

15 Days From 1931

Uncover the proud, spirited heart of Vietnam on this classic 15-day adventure. Tour...

13 Days From 3227

Be immersed in the rich historic and cultural heritage of Vietnam and Cambodia on this...

13 Days From 1133

Experience the Asia of old on a family adventure that captures the spirit of Vietnam....

18 Days From 2233

Follow the ancient trails through Cambodia and Vietnam. Explore Angkor’s temples,...

19 Days From 4630

Take a Premium trip exploring Thailand and Vietnam’s highlights, including Bangkok,...

15 Days From 1613

Jump in the saddle for a two-wheeled adventure tour of Vietnam. Take in cultural...

15 Days From 780

Discover Vietnam’s east coast on this 15-day tour, uncovering the hidden delights of...

20 Days From 4172

Discover the incredible diversity, delectable cuisines, dramatic histories and natural...

11 Days From 687

Get a taste of adventure over 11 days in Vietnam. This escapade from north to south...

12 Days From 852

Hit Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City on a 12-day adventure through Cambodia with Intrepid....

12 Days From 1552

Travel the breadth of Vietnam, from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, experiencing Halong Bay,...

24 Days From 6530

Discover the highlights and traditions of Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia on this 24-day...

13 Days From 1675

Experience Vietnamese customs and charms on a 13-day family adventure from Hanoi to Ho...

11 Days From 1392

Hike, bike and kayak across Vietnam on this active tour based out of Hanoi. Enjoy...

13 Days From 2426

Uncover the dramatic histories of these two beautiful countries on a trip through the...

15 Days From 1112

Take a 15-day Vietnam adventure from hectic Ho Chi Minh City to historic Hanoi,...

30 Days From 4100

Travel into the heart and soul of South East Asia on this comprehensive tour of...

20 Days From 1515

From bustling Ho Chi Minh City to historical Hanoi, the Best of Vietnam tour is an...

22 Days From 1658

Bounce from Hanoi to Cat Ba Island, through Phnom Penh, Kampot and Siem Reap, then head...

12 Days From 874

Travel to Cambodia on a 12-day adventure from Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok. Explore...

9 Days From 615

From Bangkok you'll hit the ancient streets and temples of Angkor in Siem Reap, get...

22 Days From 1915

Explore South East Asia on a 22-day adventure through Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand –...

26 Days From 1688

Experience the best of South East Asia with Intrepid. Marvel at the Angkor complex,...

12 Days From 923

Dive headfirst from Ho Chi Minh City into real Cambodia, visiting Phnom Penh, Siem Reap...

13 Days From 2320

See Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand from two wheels on this 13-day adventure from Ho Chi...

23 Days From 2440

Explore vibrant Vietnam, charismatic Cambodia and beguiling Bangkok on this awesome...

20 Days From 3311

Get to know Vietnam and Cambodia, each with their own uniquely enchanting culture and...

23 Days From 1796

Take a trip with the lot – Angkor Wat, Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hue, Phong...

35 Days From 3681

Join us for the South East Asian trip of your dreams – a little bit of Bangkok, a pinch...

22 Days From 3175

South East Asia Uncovered snakes its way through the delights of Thailand, Laos and...

9 Days From 935

Get the most out of your family getaway by cycling, kayaking, walking and cruising...

8 Days From 950

Jump in the saddle for a two-wheeled adventure tour of Northern Vietnam. Take in...

20 Days From 3440

Taste the true flavours of Vietnam and Cambodia, feasting on local food and catching...

27 Days From 4295

Gear up for an energising and rewarding cycling tour that takes in the best of...

5 Days From 340

Trek through Vietnam's mountainous region in the north-west to experience hiltribe...

2 Days From 220

See local industry, beautiful islands and what life is like along the mighty Mekong...

2 Days From 298

Cast away on a traditional-style boat and set sail through hundreds of limestone karsts...