Vietnam Nightlife
Drinks in Vietnam
Several foreign beers are brewed under licence in Vietnam, but good local brews include 333 (Ba Ba Ba) and Bivina. Bia hoi ("fresh" or draught beer) is served warm from the keg and then poured over ice. Its quality varies, but it's unadulterated with chemicals.  Bia hoi has a 24-hour shelf life, which means the better places sell out by early evening. There are dozens of bia hoi outlets in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, ranging from a few ankle-high stools gathered round a barrel on the pavement to beer gardens; most offer snacks of some sort. The stronger, pricier bia tuoi comes in a light or dark brew and is served from pressurized barrels. The most common local wine is rice alcohol ; the ethnic minorities drink stem alcohol (ruou can).
Many travel guides suggest not to put ice in your drinks, because it might be contaminated. It's a big bullshit. Naturally you should be carefull, with what you put in your mouth, and it is not advised to drink water straight from the tap, but what locals eat or drink you can eat or drink, too. Vietnamese people are smart and clean people!
Sure, you might catch up "Bac Ho's revenge", 'cause western immune systems might not be adjusted to the local germ scene. If it hapens this problem disapperas usually in 1-2 days by itself.
Strongly recommended in any case is a vaccination against hepatitis A&B!, for what you don't have to travel to Vietnam to cach it.
Be a good tourist: Please treat everybody! with respect, and please, stop bargaining too hard
changnoi 2006
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