Alcohol in Vietnam for tourists

In Vietnam, there are no religious or cultural conventions about the use and sale of alcohol. Vietnamese never deny themselves the use of hot drinks, and drink everything and everywhere. Therefore, with the purchase and consumption of alcoholic beverages, tourists will not have any problems. The price of alcohol here is about the same as in the Russian Federation, and something is even cheaper.

What alcoholic beverages are there in Vietnam

Everything that is possible is sold and produced from alcohol here. There is a huge selection of local foreign drinks in supermarkets and specialty stores, bars and restaurants. You can buy Russian alcohol, but there is very little of it. Vodka and champagne produced in Belarus are more common. Also note that many varieties of vodka with labels in Russian are actually produced not in the Russian Federation, but in the UK, Czechoslovakia, Ukraine and other countries.

But it is especially interesting in Vietnam to try local alcoholic beverages. Vodka, beer, wine, special rice whiskey and rice moonshine are produced here in large volumes.

• Vietnamese beer

  Beer in Vietnam is the most popular alcoholic beverage. There are local varieties and imported beer. There are not as many varieties as we have in the Russian Federation, but in general there is a choice, and the taste is acceptable.

  Mostly beer in Vietnam is sold in aluminum cans of 0.33 liters, less often in bottles of 0.5 and 0.6 liters, and very rarely in plastic bottles. The cost per 0.33 jar starts from 8200 VND (approximately 0.31 USD, see currency of Vietnam and its exchange rate) for the cheapest grade when buying in an economy supermarket. In street stores, the price is rounded to 10 000 – 12 000 dongs. The margin in the cafe for beer is small, and sometimes it is not at all.

  Light draft beer is also common, but it is not sold at retail. Usually mini-breweries of draft beer work in cafes and restaurants, it costs from 6000 VND for a 0.5 liter mug. The name of the draft beer is Bia Hoi, and you can find it on such signs. see more about beer in Vietnam here...

  

• Vietnamese wine

  In the mountainous region of Dalat produce Vietnamese wine Dalat. This is quite a good wine for its price. Sold in stores in standard bottles, served in cafes and restaurants. Price - from 90 000 VND (approximately 3.42 USD) for a standard bottle in the supermarket.

  

• Vietnamese vodka

  Vietnam produces local vodka. Vodka Hanoi is especially popular, but there are other brands. However, the local vodka is not the same as ours: its strength is from 29 to 30 degrees. Sold in supermarkets in different bottles from 0.33 L. and even in large plastic cans.

  Vietnam supermarket vodka prices for reference:

  • 0.33 L – - 43 000 VND (approximately 1.63 USD)
  • 0.5 L – - 61000 (approximately 2.32 USD)
  • 0.7 L. - 88 000 (approximately 0.33 USD)
  • 2L. 110 000 (approximately 4.18 USD)

  

• Rice moonshine (wine)

  Quite a rare drink on sale, since the Vietnamese, as a rule, make rice moonshine at home. In stores, rice wine from Korea and Japan is more common.

  It tastes like Japanese sake of not very high quality. The fortress is 12-20 degrees, or more than 40 degrees. You can try this drink in Homestays (this is a kind of accommodation in the homes of local residents in rural areas), as the owners often try to treat guests and even drink together. Also sold in the markets from 100 000 VND per liter (approximately 3.8 USD).

  

• Snake whiskey

  Whiskey with a snake and insects is more interesting to tourists as a souvenir, and not for use, although the Vietnamese themselves make tinctures from snakes, scorpions, centipedes, sea reptiles and even birds, and use in large quantities as a therapeutic and preventive agent. Well, at least they believe it helps.

  Most often on sale is whiskey with a snake, scorpion or other reptiles. Pour local cheap whiskey or rice moonshine into the bottle, and as a result, it tastes and smells bad-smelling fish, bugs and moonshine tincture. After use, you can add whiskey or vodka many more times.

  Whiskey with a snake and insects is sold only in the markets or in souvenir shops, in the supermarket you will not find this. Prices vary and you need to bargain. In the market, prices are not always cheaper than in souvenir shops or shops. For example, a half-liter bottle in a store on the territory of the Ku-Chi tunnel complex cost 35,000 VND (approximately 1.33 USD), and the same bottle at the Ben Tan market in Saigon was offered to buy for 150,000!

  

Is it possible to export alcohol from Vietnam

Yes, you can easily export any alcoholic beverages, including whiskey with a snake and insects. The only thing to remember is that liquids can not be taken into the cabin of the aircraft, everything will have to be packed in luggage. Well, do not forget about the norms for the import of alcohol into the Russian Federation: adults are allowed to import duty-free 3 liters, with the payment of duties no more than 5 liters.