Table Of Contents
Introduction
Bia Hoi Corner nestled on Ta Hien Street in Hanoi Old Quarter boasts a charming mixture of a historic street and a refreshing venue for nightlife. Besides the vintage tranquility in the daylight, Ta Hien Street puts up the vibrancy of a beer corner at night. Food stalls, clubs, bars, and especially beer shops are lit up and filled with people and music.
Therefore, Ta Hien Beer Street Hanoi Old Quarter attracts locals and visitors, especially those who want to get deeply involved in the native culture. Just take any seat along this alley, and fresh beers served with tasty street dishes will wake you up.
So, what exactly does Ta Hien Street have? Hanoi Locals Travel will show you some local insight in the below blog.
History Of Bia Hoi Corner
Ta Hien Street is the most famous Bia Hoi beer corner in Hanoi and the most iconic street in the whole Hanoi Old Quarter area. For a short description, it’s a 266-meter-long street connecting Luong Ngoc Quyen and Hang Bac Street, crossing Hang Ngang and Hang Dao Street.
Nowadays, people call it by different names, such as “Old Quarter Ta Hien Corner,” “Bia Hoi Beer Corner Hanoi,” or “Western Street.” Yet, its history may have formed in the French colonial era, when several alleys were put together and named Rue Géraud.
The locals, however, seemed unfamiliar with this exotic name and kept calling it Quang Lac, taken from the most popular theater in Hanoi back then. Around this theater along the street, there were lots of restaurants and cafeterias at night to serve theatergoers.
Since such early days, Ta Hien Street has been home to various dining spots, from phở and street food vendors to busy beer shops. Indeed, it has left a strong impression of the bustle and hustle since those days.
Not until 1945 did Ta Hien Street have its current name. Ta Quang Hien, a leader of the Can Vuong Movement in Vietnam, is the inspiration for this name.
Since then, Ta Hien Street has become the most prominent Bia Hoi Corner in Hanoi and an icon of Hanoi nightlife’s dynamism. Its nicknames of “sleepless street” and “international intersection” have also emerged.
Bia Hoi Corner Locations
As mentioned, Ta Hien Bia Hoi Street is inside the Hanoi Old Quarter in Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi City. Its location is easy to check on Google Maps. Moreover, it’s close to various renowned attractions in Hanoi, such as Hoan Kiem Lake (250 meters).
There are different transportation modes for tourists to get to this place, such as Grab services, taxis, hired motorcycles, private cars, buses, etc.
Check out the following Bia Hoi Corner Hanoi map for more:
If you want a local expert to explore Hanoi with you, we highly recommend the Hanoi City Tour ($48/pax), Hanoi Street Food Tour ($40/pax), and Hanoi City Group Tour ($38/pax).
Moreover, if you’re in another city in Vietnam and want hassle-free transportation to Hanoi, check out the following private car services:
- Ninh Binh To Hanoi Private Car – 60 USD/sedan
- Halong Bay To Hanoi Private Car – 60 USD/sedan
- Hai Phong To Hanoi Private Car – 85 USD/sedan
- Sapa To Hanoi Private Car – 149 USD/sedan
Bia Hoi Corner Hanoi Opening Hours
Bia Hoi Corner Old Quarter Hanoi starts at around 5:30 PM. You can visit Ta Hien Street as a part of the old quarter at any time during the day, but its beer corner begins to be active after sunset.
The best time to visit Beer Street Hanoi is around 7 PM when all the street food stalls, diners, and beer shops open. After dining time, at around 10 PM, it will turn into a music stage with lively street art performances.
Otherwise, when the eateries close after 10, you can also turn to bars or pubs for music and drinks. There are several places with different styles, such as Eurodance or acoustic.
What Is Special About Hanoi Bia Hoi Culture?
Not only is it a bustling venue for nightlife entertainment, but Bia Hoi Corner in Ta Hien Street of Hanoi Old Quarter is also a manifestation of the “Bia Hoi culture” in Hanoi.
For centuries, the Hanoians have considered “Bia Hoi,” or fresh beer, draught/draft beer, a featured culture of Vietnam’s capital city. This domestic drink has become popular and existed for ages due to its refreshing taste.
That popularity has lasted from generation to generation, creating a sense of nostalgia for the Hanoi people. To them, the only proper way to enjoy a glass of Bia Hoi is to sit amidst a lifeful shop with the sounds of calling, toasting, chit-chatting, vehicles running on the street, and so on.
The combination of chilly beer and such an energetic ambiance turns into a deep-rooted drinking habit of the Hanoians. And Bia Hoi Junction on Ta Hien Street can perfectly bring that vibe back to life. Thus, it has been in fashion among locals and visitors who want to discover one of the most original experiences in Hanoi.
What To Do In Ta Hien Beer Street?
Ta Hien Street offers visitors not only a beer corner but also a unique viewpoint of Hanoi. It expresses an intriguing crossover of ancient architecture and modern lifestyles.
Thus, you can enjoy different things at this alley. Let’s take a look at what you can do at Ta Hien Beer Street Hanoi.
Enjoy Its Different Vibes
As mentioned, Ta Hien Bia Hoi Corner gives off two sides: vintage beauty and modernity. Either day or night, it brings visitors the opposite but unforgettable experiences.
Walking through this street in the daylight gives travelers a Hanoi-imbued sense of tranquility and nostalgia. Its beauty is not different from the other “Hanoi 36 streets.”
On the contrary, Ta Hien Street nighttime strikes visitors as a small festival full of dazzling lights and happy enjoyers. On weekends, especially, people get even more crowded, creating the distinguished ambiance of a sleepless Hanoi.
Admire Hanoi Old Quarter Architecture
Your drinking charming fresh beer Hanoi will be more interesting when your surroundings are old houses with typical architectural features. Indeed, Ta Hien Bia Hoi Street still keeps its vintage construction and structure.
You will see dozens of small houses and golden-fading walls arranged densely all along the street. When looking closer, you will find two architectural designs classified by odd and even numbers.
The establishments marked with even numbers follow traditional Vietnamese characteristics with two floors—the first one adjacent to the street and the second one stepping back for a more open room.
On the other hand, odd-number houses tend to be more French-style, with steep roofs and two floors. These houses were built simultaneously in the early twentieth century, reflecting the French influence during the colonial era.
Taste Bia Hoi Hanoi And Street Food
Although Ta Hien Street boasts a great variety of food and beverages, its sought-after specialty is fresh beer or Bia Hoi. It’s known as the best Bia Hoi corner in Hanoi since its beer shops sell almost all popular brands in Vietnam.
Despite simple table sets on pavements without luxurious restaurants, Bia Hoi Hanoi Corner always captivates the public with cups of tasty cool beer. It creates the perfect atmosphere for relaxation and chit-chat with friends.
Moreover, Ta Hien Street is a paradise for street cuisine. It offers numerous local dishes, such as nem nướng (grilled sausage), nem chua rán (fried fermented pork), bún mọc noodles, mozzarella sticks, khoai lệ phố (fried taro), grilled quail, etc.
We would like to recommend the local favorite shops, such as 15 Ta Hien, 29A Ta Hien, 5B Ta Hien, and 14 Ta Hien.
Such numerous eateries raise a joyful mood for the street, appealing to many tourists and locals. Thus, it’s an ideal venue for food aficionados on their discovery of Hanoi cuisine.
Dive In Local Pubs And Bars
Those who want to immerse themselves more deeply in Hanoi nightlife can try out the overnight pubs and bars in Bia Hoi Junction Hanoi. Different locations can offer a vivid night, such as:
Bar 1900 Le Théâtre: Based on a former theater, it has a vintage concept and a lot of space.
Funky B: It’s one of the oldest bars in the Hanoi Old Quarter with modern decorations, diverse music tastes, DJs, and dance floors.
Fat Cat Bar: It boasts in-house rooms, an attic, and outdoor spaces. Music parties with varying topics are frequently available.
Prague Pub (38 Luong Ngoc Quyen, near the beer street): Its concept inspiration is Prague City, the capital of the Czech Republic.
Mao’s Red Lounge: Its main conception is the prominent East Asian style, with lanterns, Đông Hồ pictures, couplets, etc.
Watch Street Art Performances
Furthermore, street artists usually perform at Bia Hoi Corner in Hanoi, contributing to its delightful energy. There is music of all kinds, e.g., folk songs, pop performances, circus amusements, and instrumental shows.
Shop For Souvenirs
Beer Corner Hanoi is not only for beers, food, and music but also for souvenirs. Several shops are available for you to drop by, yet their products are not so varied. If you prefer a greater range of products, you can walk several hundred meters to Hang Dao Street. More options, from jewelry to garments, are displayed in the Hang Dao night market.
Bia Hoi Corner Nearby Attractions
Hoan Kiem Lake (250 meters): It’s an icon of Hanoi, surrounded by famous relics such as The Huc Bridge, Ngoc Son Temple, Pen Tower, etc.
Bach Ma Temple (200 meters): It’s among the oldest relics in Hanoi, dating back to 1000 years ago.
Night Market (350 meters): It opens from 6 to 11 PM on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays on Hang Dao Street.
Thang Long Water Puppet Theater (450 meters): It shows the traditional art of Vietnam—water puppetry. It costs 100,000 VND per ticket.
Travel Tips
- Bia Hoi Corner Hanoi is usually overcrowded on the weekends (from Friday to Sunday). Hence, if you prefer a calmer atmosphere, you should go on weekdays.
- Although the security status is stable, you should keep an eye on your belongings.
- If you have difficulties with route navigation or any problems, the local policemen are usually on duty. They are out patrolling the street and willing to help at any time.
Conclusion
Ta Hien Bia Hoi Corner, the “sleepless street” at the heart of Hanoi, always retains its magical charisma. It carries both the nostalgia of a thousand-year-old city and the modernity of Hanoi’s new era.
It’s the remarkable crossover of two contrasting elements that makes Ta Hien Beer Street a must-see destination in Hanoi. Indeed, travelers will figure out the diversity in Hanoian lifestyles and cultures.
Hanoi Locals Travel will be delighted if our blog helps you in your adventure to Hanoi and Vietnam. Thanks for reading.