If Ho Chi Minh City is famous for Bui Vien, then Hanoi has an equally reputable counterpart: Ta Hien Street. The area goes under various aliases: the backpackers’ center, the beer street, the foreigners’ street, and the international crossroad. Find out all you need to know about this well-known address here.
Ta Hien Street – Then and Now
Ta Hien Street is part of the Old Quarter Area in Hanoi. It is only 266 meters long and connects Hang Bac Street and Hang Buom Street. During French colonization, it was called “rue Géraud”. However, locals usually used “Quang Lac Alley,” derived from the name of the then-famous Quang Lac theatre on the street. After the August Revolution, the government renamed it Ta Hien, as in Admiral Ta Quang Hien, the leader of the Can Vuong movement in Thai Binh province.
Nowadays, the area is the center for fun night activities, “nhau” (drinking), and mingling with new international and local friends.
Precautions for Ta Hien Street
- As the street is always crowded, keep your belongings where you can watch over them and beware of pickpockets or snatch thieves.
- Check the price carefully, and stay away from free samples. That may be a scammer who can overcharge you or get aggressive when you don’t buy anything.
- Learn these tips to avoid scams in Hanoi.
- Choose a clean vendor and opt for cooked food whenever possible. You would want to avoid getting food poisoning while traveling in Vietnam!
Experiences You Shouldn’t Miss
The Drinking Culture of Bia Hoi
When discussing places to drink in Hanoi, we discuss Ta Hien Street and vice versa. There’s a reason that it got the name “Beer Street”: the drinking atmosphere here is irreplaceable. Everyone sits in tiny chairs and tables, lively, conversing, and cheering in the open air like the Vietnamese always do. Besides this scene, you’ll get to taste “Bia hoi” as well. It’s a kind of inexpensive, very fresh beer to be consumed within 24 hours after production, making it a tasty treat of Hanoi that you shouldn’t miss.
Read more: What to Know When Drinking with a Vietnamese
Try Delicious Street Food
What’s drinking without good food? Enjoy the best food in the Hanoi Old Quarter right here. Some dishes that go well with bia hoi include lac rang hung liu (peanuts roasted with basil), nem chua ran (fried sour sausage), chan ga hap xa (chicken feet steamed with citronella), and chim cut nuong (roasted quail).
Recommendations:
- Duc Long (37 Ta Hien street, Hanoi): VND 30,000 – VND 200,000
- Green Pepper (27 Ta Hien street, Hanoi): VND 60,000 – VND 220,000
Party with Young Locals
Of course, Ta Hien Street couldn’t be “the backpackers’ center” if there weren’t any Hanoi bars, clubs, and pubs to wind down. The price at Ta Hien Street is slightly higher than other places, but you’ll be bound to get good music, tasty drinks, and a lovely mix of fellow partygoers.
Recommendations:
- 1900 Le Theatre (8 Ta Hien): VND 50,000 – VND 500,000
- Local Bar (16 Ta Hien): VND 50,000 – VND 2,000,000
- Hay Bar (12 Ta Hien): VND 100,000 – VND 500,000
Admire an Architectural Wonder
If you enjoy Ta Hien Street’s liveliness at night, come here during the daytime to appreciate its time-worn, rustic, and romantic look. It is one of the few streets that could preserve the original architecture for hundreds of years.
Ta Hien Street is divided into two sides, one with odd house numbers and the other with even numbers. On the even side are houses built in traditional Vietnamese style, while the opposite are homes built in the early 20th century with French-style architecture.
Check out more fun things to do in Hanoi:
Klook.comWhere to Stay on Ta Hien Street
In the heart of Hanoi and the backpackers’ center, Ta Hien Street has many good hotels in the Old Quarter Area, with high-end to budget options. Tourist attractions, diners, and cafes are easily accessible, and you can never miss out on a night rendezvous. If you’re worried about the noise, hotels in the alleys along the street will be your safe bet.
Essence Hanoi Hotel & Spa
Address: 22 Ta Hien Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Check price and availability
Hanoi Bonsella Cozy Hotel
Address: 1 Hai Tuong Alley, Ta Hien Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Check price and availability
Find more budget and comfy hotels on here:
Our Take on Ta Hien Street in Hanoi
Ta Hien Street is the “international crossroads” for many reasons: its blended East-West architecture, inviting atmosphere that attracts all nationalities, and varied cuisine. Whatever takes you here, we hope you enjoy local hangout spots and that our guide has been helpful. For more information on Hanoi attractions and activities from locals, don’t forget to check out our other blogs.