The Original Craft Beer tour of Hanoi

Hanoi’s craft beer scene is young, local, and spread beyond the Old Quarter. This five-hour outing takes you to four breweries, where you can taste up to 12 different beers with Vietnamese and Western finger foods. It is a useful way to see more of the city without trying to arrange taxis between venues.

I like the small group, capped at 12 people, and the fact that round-trip minibus transport is included. I also like the mix of beer and food, since snacks make the tasting more comfortable and give you a better sense of how local flavors work with different brews. The main drawback is the price: at $120 per person, this is a serious splurge in Hanoi, and the exact brewery lineup can depend on each brewmaster’s brewing schedule.

Key points at a glance

• Four brewery stops: You visit several parts of Hanoi instead of staying only around the Old Quarter.
• Up to 12 tastings: The tour offers a broad sample of local craft beer, not just one house pour.
• Small-group format: A maximum of 12 people allows for a more personal outing than a large coach tour.
• Food is part of the plan: Vietnamese and Western snacks are paired with the beer, with vegetarian food available if requested.
• Transport removes the hard part: Hotel pickup at selected properties, an air-conditioned minibus, and return transport keep you out of Hanoi’s traffic.

Four breweries beyond the Old Quarter

The tour begins at 4 p.m., with pickup from selected hotels or a meeting point at 19 P. Hai Bà Trưng in the Hoàn Kiếm area. The group gathers before setting off by minibus. This matters in Hanoi, where reaching several breweries on your own can take time and require multiple rides through crowded streets.

The first stop is about 10 kilometers south of the Old Quarter. It is described as one of Hanoi’s early local breweries, giving the outing a useful starting point. You spend roughly 45 minutes there and try three craft beers with finger foods.

That first tasting should help you understand the range of beer being made in Hanoi. You may find lighter pours beside darker or more assertive styles, though the exact selection can change. The tour promises tastings rather than full brewery tours at every stop, so expect a practical look at the beer scene, not a lengthy production lecture.

After the first visit, you return to the minibus for the second brewery. Here, the guide explains the story of the newer local brewery before you sample three more beers with snacks. This change from an early brewery to a newer operation gives the tour some useful contrast.

The supplied schedule does not spell out every detail of the third and fourth stops. It does make clear that the complete route includes four breweries and up to 12 beers. Brewery visits can depend on what the brewmasters are making that day, so you should treat the route as a planned tasting circuit rather than a fixed museum-style program.

What the 12 beer tastings really mean

Up to 12 beers sounds generous, and it is. The key word is up to: the total and selection may vary according to the day’s brewing schedule and what each venue can serve.

You are not simply drinking one large beer at 12 different places. The format is a series of tastings along the route, which lets you compare local beers without ordering full servings at every stop. That makes the experience more manageable and gives you a wider view of Hanoi’s craft beer movement.

The beer is included as part of the organized tasting, along with bottled water. Extra alcoholic drinks available for purchase are not included, so keep that distinction in mind when you budget. If you want to continue drinking beyond the planned samples, expect to pay separately.

I like this setup for anyone who wants to learn what Hanoi brewers are doing without spending an evening guessing which taproom to try. You get a guided introduction and a range of samples in one outing. If you already know exactly which brewery you want to visit, however, a self-guided evening may cost less.

Vietnamese snacks, Western bites, and vegetarian food

Food is not an afterthought here. The tour includes selected Vietnamese foods and Western foods paired with the beer at each venue, plus finger foods during the tastings.

That pairing gives the evening more substance than a run of drinks. Small bites can help you pace yourself, and local foods give you another way to connect the beer with Hanoi’s food culture. The information does not list the exact dishes, so you should not book expecting a set menu or a particular specialty.

Vegetarian food is available, but you need to request it when booking. The same applies to other dietary requirements. This is one detail worth handling early, since the tour visits several venues and the food is arranged along the route.

The snacks are especially useful because the outing begins at 4 p.m. and runs for about five hours. You will be out through the evening, so the included food helps bridge the gap between lunch and a later dinner.

Meeting an English-speaking guide

The tour includes a driver-guide who speaks English. One guide identified in the available feedback is Julien, praised for offering a professional explanation of Hanoi’s craft beer scene and for talking with the group throughout the evening.

That personal contact is an important part of the experience. A good guide can explain what makes one brewery different from another, add context about Hanoi’s newer beer culture, and help the group move through the evening without confusion. The group size, limited to 12 people, gives you a better chance to ask questions than you would on a large bus outing.

Still, the tour should not be confused with a technical brewing course. The description promises brewery history, beer tastings, and an overview of the local scene. It does not promise detailed instruction on ingredients, fermentation, or brewing equipment at every stop.

The guide also helps with the practical side of Hanoi. You can focus on the tasting instead of checking maps, ordering multiple cars, or working out how to get from one part of the city to another after a few beers.

Why the minibus matters in Hanoi

The air-conditioned minibus is one of the tour’s most useful features. Hanoi’s traffic can make short distances feel slow, and four brewery stops would be awkward to connect by foot or public transportation.

Pickup and drop-off are included for selected hotels. If your hotel is not covered, use the stated starting point at 19 P. Hai Bà Trưng. The listed end point is 40 P. Nhà Chung, near St. Joseph Cathedral in the Old Quarter.

The route is not just a transfer service. It carries you beyond the central streets and into parts of Hanoi that you might not otherwise visit during a short stay. That wider view is a real benefit, particularly if you have already spent your days around Hoàn Kiếm Lake and the Old Quarter.

The tradeoff is less independence. You will follow the group schedule, and time at each brewery is limited. The first stop lasts about 45 minutes, while the total timing at the later venues is not specified. If you prefer to linger over one beer or leave a venue whenever you wish, the organized route may feel restrictive.

Is $120 a fair price?

At $120, this is not a budget beer crawl. Hanoi can offer inexpensive local beer, and you could likely spend far less by ordering on your own. The price makes more sense when you count the included tastings, snacks, bottled water, guide, air-conditioned transport, and hotel pickup and drop-off where available.

You are also paying for coordination. Four breweries in one evening would require research, transport planning, and careful timing if you arranged it yourself. The tour handles that work and lets you sample a large range of beer without deciding what to order at each stop.

I would judge the value by your priorities. If you want the cheapest possible night out, skip it. If you want a structured introduction to Hanoi craft beer and would rather not manage transport after drinking, the package is easier to justify.

The small-group limit helps. A maximum of 12 people is more comfortable than a large group, though it is not a private tour. The price may feel better suited to beer fans who plan to make the tastings a main event rather than people looking for a casual drink before dinner.

Who should book this Hanoi beer tour?

I would recommend it most to:

• Beer fans who want to compare several Hanoi breweries in one evening
• First-time visitors who want to get beyond the Old Quarter
• Solo visitors who enjoy meeting other beer enthusiasts in a small group
• Couples and friends who value included transport and a set route
• People who want food with their drinks
• Anyone who prefers an English-speaking guide to a self-guided tasting

You should think twice if you do not drink alcohol, since the central activity is beer tasting. The minimum drinking age is 18, and the minimum age for the tour is also 18.

This is also not the best choice if you need a fully customized itinerary. The four stops may change according to brewing schedules, and the timing at each later venue is not laid out in detail. The experience is strongest when you are happy to follow the route and see what is being poured that day.

Practical details before you book

The tour lasts about five hours and starts at 4 p.m. That puts the main tasting period in the early evening and leaves you near the cathedral area at the end.

A minimum of two people per booking is required. The group can include up to 12 people. Most people can participate, and the tour is near public transportation, but the stated transport service is the included minibus with selected-hotel pickup.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Because the tour averages 27 days of advance booking, I would reserve ahead if your Hanoi dates are fixed.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund. That rule is worth noting if your schedule in Hanoi is still uncertain.

The best way to approach the evening

Arrive ready to taste rather than simply drink. With up to 12 beers, the value comes from comparing the breweries and paying attention to how the food works with each sample.

I would also eat a sensible meal earlier in the day, even though snacks are included. The food provided is finger food and pairing bites, not a guaranteed full dinner. You may want a proper meal afterward, especially since the tour ends around 9 p.m. depending on traffic and the pace of the group.

Tell the operator about vegetarian needs or other dietary requirements when you book. Do not wait until pickup, since the snacks are arranged across several venues.

Finally, keep your evening flexible. The brewery schedule can depend on what the brewmasters are producing, and Hanoi traffic can affect transfers. The minibus removes much of the transport worry, but it cannot make city traffic disappear.

Should you book the Original Craft Beer Tour of Hanoi?

Book it if you want a guided, social introduction to Hanoi’s craft beer scene and value the convenience of visiting four breweries without arranging the route yourself. The combination of up to 12 tastings, Vietnamese and Western snacks, a small group, and air-conditioned transport gives the evening a clear purpose.

Skip it if $120 feels too high for beer and snacks, or if you would rather choose one taproom and stay there at your own pace. For the right audience, the standout benefit is not just the number of beers. It is the chance to see a less familiar side of Hanoi while a guide such as Julien adds context and keeps the evening moving.

FAQ

How long does the Original Craft Beer Tour of Hanoi last?

The tour lasts approximately five hours.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 4 p.m.

How many breweries does the tour visit?

The route includes four different breweries.

How many beers can I taste?

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

Are snacks included?

Yes. The tour includes Vietnamese and Western snacks, including finger foods paired with the tastings.

Is a vegetarian option available?

Yes. Vegetarian food is available if you advise the operator when booking.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for selected hotels only. The listed meeting point is 19 P. Hai Bà Trưng if your hotel is not covered.

What transport is used?

The tour uses an air-conditioned minibus, with a driver-guide included.

What is the minimum drinking age?

The minimum drinking age is 18, and the minimum age for the activity is also 18.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.