The Original Craft Beer tour of Hanoi

Hanoi’s craft beer scene is easier to appreciate when you can get beyond the Old Quarter without having to steer through traffic or guess which breweries are worth a visit. This five-hour tour links four local breweries by minibus, with up to 12 beers to taste and snacks along the way.

I like two things here: the small group, capped at 12, gives the guide room to talk with you, and the route reaches breweries outside the usual sightseeing circuit. I also like the pairing of Vietnamese and Western finger foods with the beer, which makes this more than a series of pours.

One point needs checking before you book: the tour details say beer tastings are included, but also list alcoholic drinks as available to purchase. At $120 per person, confirm exactly what the price covers, especially how many tastings are included.

• Four brewery stops: The route includes four venues, though the specific breweries can depend on the brewmasters’ schedules.
• Up to 12 beers: Expect a range of local craft brews, served with finger foods.
• A ride beyond the Old Quarter: The first stop is about 10 kilometers south of the old town, and a minibus handles the transfers.
• A capped group size: The tour has a maximum of 12 people and requires at least two bookings.
• An early evening start: The tour begins at 4:00 pm and lasts about five hours.
• Dietary needs: Vegetarian food is available if you request it when booking.

Four breweries, one guided route

This is a good fit if you want to understand Hanoi’s beer scene without planning four separate visits or negotiating the city’s busy traffic between them. You meet your guide, gather with the rest of the group, then travel by air-conditioned minibus to the breweries. That simple setup matters: you can focus on the beer and conversation instead of trying to read directions or arrange rides after a tasting.

The group is limited to 12, small enough for a more personal outing than a large bus tour. An English-speaking driver-guide leads the way and talks about the breweries and local craft beer. Julien is one guide name associated with the experience, but the guide may vary. If Julien is leading your tour, expect a guide who is comfortable discussing Hanoi’s craft beer scene and answering questions.

The tour lasts about five hours. With a 4:00 pm start, you can expect an early evening activity rather than a quick stop between daytime sights. The exact pace depends on transfers and how long the group spends at each brewery, but the first stop is scheduled for roughly 45 minutes. Four venues in one outing offer variety, though they also mean that no single brewery visit is likely to be very long.

The first stop, south of the Old Quarter

After gathering, you head roughly 10 kilometers south of the Old Quarter to the first brewery. The route itself is part of the appeal: you leave the area most visitors know and see a little more of the city on the way. You do not need to arrange your own transport or navigate Hanoi’s busy streets between tastings.

The first venue is described as one of Hanoi’s earliest local breweries. You spend about 45 minutes there and taste three craft beers with finger foods. That gives you a useful first comparison: rather than ordering one beer and moving on, you can sample a small range and start noticing what you enjoy.

The stop is not a long brewery visit, so keep your expectations practical. The tour is built around tasting and moving between venues, not a deep look at brewing equipment or a lengthy behind-the-scenes session. Brewery access may also depend on the brewmasters’ schedules, so the exact venues can change. If seeing a particular brewery matters to you, ask the operator before booking.

A newer brewery and three more pours

At the second stop, the guide introduces the history of a newer local brewery. You taste three more beers and have additional finger foods. The contrast between an early Hanoi brewery and a newer one gives the route a story: you are not just sampling a dozen drinks, but hearing how local brewing has developed.

That context is a real strength for anyone curious about the city’s craft beer scene. You can ask questions as you go, and a small group makes that easier than a large coach outing. Still, the amount of detail will depend on your guide and the time available. If beer history is a main reason you are booking, make use of the ride between stops to ask what you want to know.

The tour details do not name the remaining two breweries or describe their individual pours. They do say the full route visits four breweries and includes up to 12 beer tastings, with snacks along the way. Treat the unnamed stops as part of the appeal of a guided route, but do not book expecting a fixed list of venues or a particular beer style.

Up to 12 beers, with food along the way

Twelve tastings can add up, even if each pour is modest. The tour includes finger foods at the stops, with a mix of Vietnamese and Western snacks selected to go with the beer. You are not being sent from venue to venue on an empty stomach, and the food gives you something to compare with the different brews.

A vegetarian option is available, but you should request it when booking. The operator also asks you to share any specific dietary requirements in advance. If you have allergies or other food restrictions, be clear about them; the details do not say what dishes are served or whether every requirement can be accommodated.

The information on beer inclusion is contradictory. The tour describes up to 12 tastings and lists beverages among the inclusions, but it also says alcoholic drinks are available to purchase and excludes them. That is worth resolving before you pay. Ask whether all 12 pours are covered by the $120 price, whether only some are included, and what extra drinks cost. Do not assume that the tasting count and the included amount mean the same thing.

The minibus makes the route practical

The air-conditioned minibus is more than a comfort detail. The first brewery is about 10 kilometers from the Old Quarter, and the tour visits several venues in one evening. Having transport arranged lets you enjoy the tasting without needing to plan each transfer yourself.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are offered at selected hotels. The listed meeting point is 19 P. Hai Bà Trưng, Hàng Bài, in Hoàn Kiếm, while the listed end point is 40 P. Nhà Chung, near St. Joseph Cathedral. Since pickup applies only to selected hotels, confirm your arrangement rather than assuming a vehicle will collect you wherever you are staying. If you need to meet the group, check which address applies to your booking.

The tour is also capped at 12 people, with a minimum of two people per booking. That keeps the outing relatively contained, but it means solo visitors should confirm whether they can join an existing booking. The details say confirmation is subject to availability, so do not leave a time-sensitive plan until the last moment.

Is $120 good value?

At $120 per person, this is not a cheap way to drink beer in Hanoi. You are paying for a guided five-hour outing, transport between four breweries, hotel pickup and drop-off where available, snacks, and the chance to learn about a part of the city’s food-and-drink culture that is easy to miss on your own.

The value depends heavily on what the price includes. If the up-to-12 tastings are covered, the combination of four stops, snacks, a guide, and transport makes the cost easier to justify, particularly if you value a planned route and a small group. If the beers are extra, the final bill could be higher than you expect. Get a clear answer about the alcohol before booking and compare the total cost with what you would spend visiting fewer venues independently.

There is also value in having someone explain the local scene as you go. A useful guide can turn a string of tastings into a more meaningful introduction to Hanoi’s breweries. The strongest praise associated with this tour is for professional, talkative guidance, with Julien specifically named. You cannot assume he will be your guide, but the guide-led discussion is a central part of the experience.

Who will enjoy this evening most?

I would choose this tour if you are genuinely interested in craft beer, want to meet other beer fans, and prefer an organized ride to finding breweries on your own. It is especially practical if you have only a short stay in Hanoi and want one evening that combines local beer, food, conversation, and a look beyond the most familiar streets.

It is less suited to someone who wants a slow, detailed visit at one brewery. Four stops in around five hours create a moving itinerary, and the schedule may change according to the brewmasters’ availability. It is also not a good choice if you do not drink alcohol: the central activity is tasting up to 12 beers, and participants must be at least 18.

The evening start can work well after a day of sightseeing, but consider how you feel about a long tasting session. Pace yourself, drink water, and eat the snacks. Bottled water is listed as included. The tour covers a lot of ground, but you do not have to treat every pour as a full serving.

What to confirm before you book

The tour starts at 4:00 pm, runs for about five hours, and has a maximum group size of 12. It is offered by A Taste of Hanoi, and free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. If you cancel later than that, you are not eligible for a refund, so check your plans before the cutoff.

Before paying, confirm three practical details: whether the beer tastings are included in the $120 price, whether pickup is available from your hotel, and which breweries are scheduled for your date. The route can depend on brewing schedules, so a specific venue is not guaranteed by the information available. Also pass along vegetarian or other dietary needs when booking.

Should you book this Hanoi beer tour?

Book it if you want a guided introduction to Hanoi’s craft beer scene and like the idea of visiting four breweries without managing the transport yourself. The small group, snacks, and chance to hear about both early and newer local breweries make it more informative than simply hopping between bars.

Pause if you are mainly looking for the lowest-cost way to drink, or if you want a guaranteed visit to a particular brewery. Most of all, settle the question of which drinks are included. Once the price is clear, this can be a useful, sociable evening for beer fans who want to see a side of Hanoi beyond the usual Old Quarter circuit.

FAQ

How long is the Original Craft Beer Tour of Hanoi?

It lasts approximately five hours and starts at 4:00 pm.

How many breweries does the tour visit?

The tour visits four breweries. The specific venues may depend on the brewmasters’ brewing schedules.

How many beers can I taste?

The tour is described as including up to 12 craft beer tastings. Its details are unclear about whether all alcoholic drinks are included in the price, so confirm this with the operator before booking.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are offered from selected hotels. Confirm whether your hotel is included when you book.

Can I request vegetarian food?

Yes. A vegetarian option is available. Request it when booking, and share any other dietary requirements at that time.

Is there a minimum age or group size?

Yes. You must be at least 18 to take part. A minimum of two people per booking is required, and the tour has a maximum of 12 participants.