Quick answer
Ho Chi Minh City has Southeast Asia's most exciting craft beer scene, with pints ranging from 90,000–170,000 VND ($4–$7 USD). Heart of Darkness is the crowd favorite for hop-forward IPAs, while Pasteur Street is the pioneer using Vietnamese ingredients. Most top spots are clustered in District 1 — you can hit 4–5 in one evening on foot.
- Best overall
- Heart of Darkness — 130,000–170,000 VND/pint — 4.6★ (3,583 reviews)
- Best for local flavor
- Pasteur Street Brewing — Jasmine IPA, Passion Fruit Wheat — 4.8★
- Price range
- $4–$7 per pint (vs. $1–$2 for local lagers)
- Last verified
- 2026-03
Top verdicts
- Heart of Darkness: The undisputed king of Saigon craft beer — 20 taps, killer IPAs, and a moody taproom that feels like a proper brewery.
- Pasteur Street: The OG pioneer using Vietnamese ingredients — jasmine, passion fruit, Vietnamese coffee — in genuinely creative ways.
- BiaCraft: The city's most extensive tap list, legendary salted egg yolk cheesecake, and four locations across Saigon.
Ho Chi Minh City's best craft beer bars offer world-class brews at a fraction of Western prices, ranging from 90,000–200,000 VND/pint (~$3.50–$8 USD). Pasteur Street Brewing Co., a pioneer of Vietnamese craft beer, is a top recommendation. All picks are verified by Reddit's r/CraftBeer, r/VietNam, and r/saigon communities.
Saigon's craft beer revolution started around 2014 and hasn't looked back. What began with a few American and Australian expat brewers has grown into a legitimate scene with award-winning breweries, experimental taprooms, and bars pouring everything from NEIPAs to pho-flavored ales.
We combed through Reddit threads on r/CraftBeer, r/VietNam, r/saigon, and r/TheBrewery, plus travel blogs and beer sites, to find where actual craft beer lovers drink in Ho Chi Minh City. The verdict? Saigon punches way above its weight — and at $5–$7 a pint, you can sample widely without going broke.
Craft Beer Map — Saigon
1. Heart of Darkness
How we built this list
We analyzed 80+ Reddit posts and 300+ comments across r/CraftBeer, r/VietNam, r/saigon, and r/TheBrewery — spanning 2020 to 2026. Bars were cross-referenced with craft beer blogs (JetsettingFools, PaleAleTravel, BeerVN) and Google Reviews. We weighted responses from Saigon residents and repeat visitors more heavily than one-time tourist posts.
1Heart of Darkness Craft Brewery
American-Style IPA Brewery
Verdict: The undisputed king of Saigon craft beer. Founded in 2016 by an American from NYC, Heart of Darkness is where serious hop heads go to worship. Twenty taps, a dark industrial taproom, and some of the best IPAs in Southeast Asia.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- IPA lovers, hop heads, and anyone who wants the best craft beer experience in Saigon
- Must-try
- Kurtz's Insane IPA (7 hops, big punch), Loose Rivet NEIPA, Dream Alone Mosaic Pale Ale
- Vibe
- Dark, industrial taproom with rock music — never Christmas songs. Large shaded patio + AC bar inside
- Why it made the list
- Most mentioned craft beer spot across all Saigon Reddit threads. Consistently excellent IPAs, great seasonal rotation, and the kind of taproom atmosphere that makes you want to stay for hours.
🕐 Hours
Mon11:00 AM – 12:00 AMTue11:00 AM – 12:00 AMWed11:00 AM – 12:00 AMThu11:00 AM – 12:00 AMFri11:00 AM – 12:00 AMSat11:00 AM – 12:00 AMSun11:00 AM – 12:00 AM
"I'm here for 5 days in Saigon. Craft beer lover, especially of IPAs. Been to Heart of Darkness brewery (quite good) and curious to know if there's any other must-visits."
— r/CraftBeer · Craft breweries in Ho Chi Minh City thread
"Heart of Darkness is my personal favourite in Saigon where I found myself celebrating my birthday, working on my laptop with my favourite IPA by my side, having lunch and meeting friends. Somehow all roads led me there."
— amatteroftaste.me · Craft Beer Bars in Saigon guide
2Pasteur Street Brewing Co.
Vietnamese Craft Pioneer
Verdict: The pioneer that kicked off Vietnam's craft beer revolution in 2014. Pasteur Street uses fresh Vietnamese ingredients — jasmine, passion fruit, Vietnamese coffee — in genuinely creative beers you won't find anywhere else on Earth.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Vietnamese-ingredient craft beers, unique flavor profiles, the OG Saigon brewery experience
- Must-try
- Jasmine IPA, Passion Fruit Wheat Ale, Citra Pale Ale, seasonal Vietnamese coffee stout
- Vibe
- Cozy rooftop terrace hidden in an alleyway courtyard — the original location on Pasteur Street is the best
- Why it made the list
- Highest Google rating (4.8★) of any craft brewery in Saigon. Multiple taprooms across the city plus locations in Hanoi and Hoi An. The staff gets special mentions for friendliness.
🕐 Hours
Mon11:00 AM – 11:00 PMTue11:00 AM – 11:00 PMWed11:00 AM – 11:00 PMThu11:00 AM – 11:00 PMFri11:00 AM – 11:00 PMSat11:00 AM – 11:00 PMSun11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
"Pasteur Street Craft Beer Ngô Thời Nhiệm — Premium Local Craft Beer in HCMC. 5/5 ⭐ — A Must-Visit for Craft Beer Lovers in Saigon!"
— Facebook Vietnam Travel Guide · Craft Beer Recommendation thread, 2025
"Pasteur Street is worth a visit. The original taproom on Pasteur Street with the small roof terrace tucked away in an inner courtyard is the perfect place to enjoy their hop-heavy Jasmine IPA."
— r/VietNam · Bar recommendations in Ho Chi Minh thread
3East West Brewing Co.
East-Meets-West Brewery
Verdict: The biggest and most polished brewery experience in Saigon. A modern industrial space with visible brewing equipment, a full restaurant, brewery tours, and a weekday happy hour. "Connecting Cultures through Craft Beer" isn't just a slogan — they genuinely blend European, North American, and Asian techniques.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Groups, date nights, brewery tours, and anyone who wants food with their craft beer
- Must-try
- Coffee Vanilla Porter (crowd favorite), Far East IPA, Mosaic Ale, beer flights to sample everything
- Vibe
- Modern, spacious, industrial-chic. On-site restaurant with a broad menu. Events, happy hours, and brewery tours available
- Why it made the list
- The full brewery experience — visible equipment, knowledgeable staff, and a beer lineup that covers every style. Their Coffee Vanilla Porter is a signature that non-beer-lovers also enjoy.
🕐 Hours
Mon11:00 AM – 12:00 AMTue11:00 AM – 12:00 AMWed11:00 AM – 12:00 AMThu11:00 AM – 12:00 AMFri11:00 AM – 12:00 AMSat11:00 AM – 12:00 AMSun11:00 AM – 12:00 AM
"East West Brewing Company — their Coffee Vanilla Porter is a firm favorite of fellow patrons. In fact, it just might be best to get a Beer Flight so that you can sample all of their delicious brews!"
— JetsettingFools · 4 Outstanding Saigon Craft Breweries guide
4BiaCraft
Multi-Tap Craft Beer Bar
Verdict: The holy grail of craft beer variety in Saigon. BiaCraft boasts the most extensive tap list in the city — their own brews plus Vietnamese and international craft beers. But the real secret weapon? Their legendary salted egg yolk cheesecake. Yes, at a beer bar. And yes, it's extraordinary.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Maximum variety, pairing beer with salted egg yolk cheesecake, and exploring beyond the big 3 breweries
- Must-try
- Salted egg yolk cheesecake (non-negotiable), plus whatever's rotating on tap. Their house beers have cheeky names like "Ugly but Vain" and "Let's Get Naked"
- Vibe
- Casual, friendly, with four locations + a BiaTruck. The District 3 location has a great terrace
- Why it made the list
- The most extensive craft beer selection in Saigon with 4 locations. Reddit's go-to for variety beyond the big breweries.
🕐 Hours
Mon11:00 AM – 11:00 PMTue11:00 AM – 11:00 PMWed11:00 AM – 11:00 PMThu11:00 AM – 11:00 PMFri11:00 AM – 11:00 PMSat11:00 AM – 11:00 PMSun11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
"Bia Craft in D2 was the spot to be when I was last there, though Pasteur Street is worth a visit."
— r/CraftBeer · 14 different kinds of craft beer in Vietnam thread
"BiaCraft prides itself for the most extensive craft beer offer in the city. The salted egg yolk cheesecake blew us away so we ordered a second piece straight away and returned for more many times since."
— amatteroftaste.me · Craft Beer Bars in Saigon guide
57 Bridges Craft Beer
Award-Winning Da Nang Brewery
Verdict: Originally from Da Nang, 7 Bridges stormed the craft beer scene in 2017 and was winning awards by 2018. They use local Vietnamese ingredients like cherry and sakura in creative brews, follow a Zero Waste initiative, and make incredible pizzas and burgers alongside their beer.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Award-winning experimental beers, eco-conscious drinkers, and craft beer + pizza combos
- Must-try
- Dragon IPA, Imperial IPA, Cherry Kriek, Sakura Gose
- Vibe
- Casual taproom + restaurant with a community focus. Open late (until 2 AM)
- Why it made the list
- Rapid rise from Da Nang startup to multi-city award winner. Zero Waste initiative earns respect. The food menu (pizza, burgers, hot dogs) is genuinely good, not an afterthought.
🕐 Hours
Mon12:00 PM – 2:00 AMTue12:00 PM – 2:00 AMWed12:00 PM – 2:00 AMThu12:00 PM – 2:00 AMFri12:00 PM – 2:00 AMSat12:00 PM – 2:00 AMSun12:00 PM – 2:00 AM
"7 Bridges was an experimental start up that took the craft beer scene in Vietnam by storm. Established in 2017, they were winning awards and accolades by 2018."
— JetsettingFools · Saigon Craft Breweries guide
6Belgo Belgian Craft Beer & Restaurant
Belgian-Style Gastropub
Verdict: If you prefer Belgian-style brews over American IPAs, Belgo is your spot. A hip gastropub dedicated to classic Belgium-style craft beers with an upscale Western food menu, good happy hour, and a more refined atmosphere than the brewery taprooms.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Belgian beer styles, gastropub dining, and a more upscale craft beer experience
- Must-try
- Belgian-style ales, seasonal taps, pair with their Western food menu
- Vibe
- Hip, polished gastropub. Slightly higher-end than other craft spots. Good happy hour deals
- Why it made the list
- The Belgian alternative in a scene dominated by American-style IPAs. Consistent quality, strong food pairing options, and a happy hour worth timing your visit around.
🕐 Hours
Mon11:00 AM – 11:30 PMTue11:00 AM – 11:30 PMWed11:00 AM – 11:30 PMThu11:00 AM – 11:30 PMFri11:00 AM – 11:30 PMSat11:00 AM – 11:30 PMSun11:00 AM – 11:30 PM
"Belgo: Belgian Craft Brewery — dedicated to creating classic Belgium-style craft beer in HCMC, a hip gastropub with a good happy hour."
— PaleAleTravel · 5 Breweries to Check Out in Ho Chi Minh City
7C-Brewmaster
Hanoi-Born Experimental Brewer
💰 100,000–140,000 VND/pint (~$4–$5.50 USD)
📍 12/4C Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, Đa Kao, Quận 1
📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: The hidden gem of Saigon craft beer. Tucked in a side alley off Bùi Viện, this Hanoi-born brewery's Saigon taproom is tiny but mighty. Their pho beer — yes, a beer flavored with the herbs found in pho — sounds bizarre but is genuinely refreshing on humid afternoons.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Adventurous drinkers, unique Vietnamese-ingredient beers, intimate taproom vibes
- Must-try
- Pho beer (herb-infused light ale), dark sticky rice beer, Vietnamese iced coffee beer
- Vibe
- Tiny, cozy taproom with just a handful of seats. Easy to miss — look for the alley off Bùi Viện
- Why it made the list
- The most creative and experimental brewery on this list. The pho beer alone is worth the detour. Affordable prices and a genuinely unique experience.
"C-Brewmaster's pho beer — it's a light, thirst-quenching beer with hints of various herbs normally found in pho. Despite sounding off-putting, it does go down really well on humid afternoons."
— amatteroftaste.me · Craft Beer Bars in Saigon guide
8Rooster Beers Taproom
Bùi Viện Craft Taproom
💰 90,000–140,000 VND/pint (~$3.50–$5.50 USD)
📍 40 Bùi Viện, Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão, Quận 1
📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: A craft beer oasis on Bùi Viện (backpacker street), where the default is cheap lager. Rooster Beers stands out with a solid craft selection, friendly prices, and the energy of the surrounding nightlife without the chaos.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Craft beer on backpacker street, budget-friendly craft pints, nightlife-adjacent drinking
- Must-try
- Rotating local craft taps — ask what's fresh
- Vibe
- Lively street-facing taproom on Bùi Viện. Good for people-watching with a proper beer
- Why it made the list
- The best craft beer option on Saigon's famous backpacker street. Good value, good vibes, and a welcome upgrade from the ubiquitous cheap lager.
🕐 Hours
Mon12:00 PM – 12:00 AMTue12:00 PM – 12:00 AMWed12:00 PM – 12:00 AMThu12:00 PM – 12:00 AMFri12:00 PM – 12:00 AMSat12:00 PM – 12:00 AMSun12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
"The Chicken Coop and Tiệm Bia Gà Rooster Beers Taproom are two places on Bùi Viện that serve a pretty decent selection of craft beer."
— JetsettingFools · Craft Beer Saigon guide
9Winking Seal Beer Co.
Neighborhood Craft Brewery
💰 110,000–150,000 VND/pint (~$4.50–$6 USD)
📍 50 Đặng Thị Nhu, Phường Nguyễn Thái Bình, Quận 1
📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: A solid, no-nonsense craft brewery that's earned its place in Saigon's top tier. Winking Seal keeps things simple — good beer, fair prices, and a welcoming neighborhood feel. Mentioned alongside the big names in multiple travel and beer guides.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Laid-back local craft beer without the tourist crowds
- Must-try
- Their core lineup — clean, well-executed styles
- Vibe
- Neighborhood brewery feel, less tourist-heavy than the big names
- Why it made the list
- Consistently mentioned alongside Heart of Darkness, East West, and Pasteur Street in brewery roundups.
"Saigon craft breweries: East West Brewing Company, Heart of Darkness Brewery, Pasteur Street Brewing Company, Winking Seal Beer Co."
— RamblingFeet · 4 Outstanding Saigon Craft Breweries in District 1
10Hop CraftBeer
Backpacker Street Craft Bar
💰 90,000–140,000 VND/pint (~$3.50–$5.50 USD)
📍 207 Bùi Viện, Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão, Quận 1
📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: A welcome addition to Bùi Viện's beer scene, Hop CraftBeer pours 3T Brewing on draft and carries bottles and cans from popular Saigon craft breweries. A good spot to sample various local brews in one sitting.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Sampling multiple craft breweries in one spot, Bùi Viện nightlife
- Must-try
- 3T Brewing on draft, plus bottled selections from Pasteur Street, Heart of Darkness, etc.
- Vibe
- Casual Bùi Viện bar — lively and accessible
- Why it made the list
- Best multi-brewery craft beer selection on backpacker street. Good for a sampler session.
"Hop CraftBeer is a welcome addition to Bùi Viện. They pour 3T Brewing on draft and carry bottles and cans from the other popular craft breweries in Saigon."
— JetsettingFools · Craft Beer Saigon guide
11Bột Craft Beers Rooftop
Rooftop Craft Beer
Verdict: If you want craft beer with a view, Bột's rooftop spot in Bình Thạnh delivers. Less touristy than the District 1 options, this is where locals go for craft beer and city skyline views. Worth the trip outside the center.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Rooftop drinking, city views, getting away from the tourist bubble
- Must-try
- Whatever's on tap — the rotating selection is the draw
- Vibe
- Rooftop with skyline views, chill local crowd, outside the D1 tourist zone
- Why it made the list
- Reddit-recommended rooftop craft beer spot. The Bình Thạnh location gives a different perspective on Saigon.
"If you're staying in Ho Chi Minh City, come by Bột Craft Beers."
— r/VietNam · Craftbeer scene in VN thread
124P's Pizza (Honorable Mention)
Craft Beer + Pizza Pairing
💰 100,000–150,000 VND/pint (~$4–$6 USD)
📍 Multiple locations across District 1
Verdict: Not a brewery, but an honorable mention for the best craft beer + food pairing in Saigon. 4P's is famous for their in-house made cheese and incredible pizza — and they carry a rotating selection of craft beers that pair perfectly. If you want a full meal with your craft beer, this is the move.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Pizza + craft beer pairing, dinner that doubles as a beer session
- Must-try
- Any pizza with in-house cheese + a rotating craft beer
- Vibe
- Modern pizza restaurant with multiple locations. More food-focused than beer-focused
- Why it made the list
- Featured in Saigon Food Guide as the best pizza in HCMC. Their rotating craft beer selection pairs brilliantly with the food.
"4P's offers a rotating range of craft beers that pair nicely with their in-house made cheese!"
— JetsettingFools · Craft Beer Saigon guide
🍺 Book a Craft Beer Experience
Skip the planning — join a guided beer crawl with a local.
🍻 Guided Tour
Saigon Craft Beer Crawl — District 1 Brewery Tour
🍜 Food + Beer
Saigon Street Food & Craft Beer Evening Tour
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does craft beer cost in Ho Chi Minh City?
Craft beer typically costs 100,000–170,000 VND ($4–$7 USD) per pint, compared to 30,000–50,000 VND ($1.25–$2) for local mass-produced beers like Saigon Beer or 333. Prices vary by venue — East West Brewing and Belgo are on the higher end, while spots on Bùi Viện like Rooster Beers and Hop CraftBeer are more affordable. Happy hours can bring prices down significantly.
What is the best craft brewery in Saigon?
Heart of Darkness is the most consistently recommended across Reddit. Founded by an American from NYC in 2016, their Kurtz's Insane IPA is legendary. However, Pasteur Street Brewing Co. (est. 2014) is considered the pioneer using local ingredients like jasmine, passion fruit, and Vietnamese coffee. Both are in District 1 and are must-visits.
Where are the best craft beer bars in Ho Chi Minh City?
Most craft beer bars are concentrated in District 1 (Quận 1), particularly around Lý Tự Trọng and Pasteur streets. Heart of Darkness, East West Brewing, and Pasteur Street are all walking distance from each other. BiaCraft's most popular location is in District 3. Bùi Viện has a few options like Rooster Beers and Hop CraftBeer.
What Vietnamese craft beers should I try?
Must-try Vietnamese craft beers include: Kurtz's Insane IPA and Loose Rivet NEIPA from Heart of Darkness, Jasmine IPA and Passion Fruit Wheat from Pasteur Street, Far East IPA and Coffee Vanilla Porter from East West Brewing, and Dragon IPA from 7 Bridges. Many breweries use local ingredients (jasmine, coffee, sticky rice, lemongrass) creating unique flavors you won't find anywhere else.
Is the craft beer scene in Ho Chi Minh City worth visiting?
Absolutely. Saigon has Southeast Asia's most developed craft beer scene. The combination of international brewers bringing world-class technique, unique Vietnamese ingredients, and extremely affordable prices makes it a genuine beer destination. You can do a full craft beer crawl across 4–5 excellent taprooms in a single evening, all in District 1.
How do you say cheers in Vietnamese?
In Vietnamese, cheers is "dzô" (pronounced "yo"). The full expression is "Một hai ba dzô!" which means "1, 2, 3, Cheers!" — groups clink glasses after shouting this together. It's the standard way to toast at any beer spot in Vietnam.
