Drink Like A Local: Hanoi with Công Nguyễn

Discover Hanoi through Công’s eyes, a city where nostalgia and creativity intertwine, where mornings hum with the clatter of coffee cups and evenings glow with the warmth of shared laughter over bia hơi and cocktails alike.

Born and raised in Hanoi, Công Nguyễn has spent over a decade behind the bar, shaping not only his own career but also the evolving cocktail scene of Vietnam’s capital. As General Manager of Haflington, one of Hanoi’s most renowned bars, Công balances leadership and artistry, driving the team forward while nurturing the culture of hospitality that defines his approach.

“I’ve been with Haflington since the very beginning,” he says. “It’s been a journey of building something that reflects who we are, creative, welcoming, and proud of where we come from.”

That pride is central to Công’s relationship with Hanoi. For him, the city isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a living rhythm that influences how people eat, drink, and connect. From its layered history to its boundless energy, Hanoi mirrors the qualities he values most: warmth, resilience, and quiet creativity.

Big Picture

To understand Hanoi is to feel its contrasts. “Hanoi breathes nostalgia and creativity, a city that moves at its own pace yet never stops evolving,” Công reflects. Walk through the Old Quarter and you’ll find yourself amid centuries-old architecture standing beside modern cafés and speakeasies, the scent of grilled pork from a bún chả stall mingling with the aroma of freshly ground coffee.

The city’s charm lies in its rhythm, deliberate yet full of life. Hanoians have mastered the art of slowing down just enough to savor it all. They find joy in small, shared moments: a morning bowl of phở, an afternoon cà phê sữa đá, an evening toast shouted in unison, “Một, hai, ba, dzô!”

Getting around is part of the adventure. Motorbikes remain the pulse of the city, zipping past colonial façades and tree-lined boulevards. For first-time visitors, apps like Grab make it easy to join the flow, but Công insists that walking is where you’ll truly experience Hanoi’s spirit. “You’ll find stories on every corner,” he says. “Just take a stroll through the Old Quarter, that’s where you see the city’s heart.”

The Food

In Hanoi, food is never an afterthought; it’s a language of connection. Every meal, from the simplest street snack to a family-style feast, tells a story about the people who make and share it.

“It’s impossible to visit without trying the classics,” Công says. “Phở, bún chả, bánh mì, and bún đậu mắm tôm, they define our city in flavor and spirit.” Each dish captures Hanoi’s balance of richness and restraint, fresh herbs cutting through savory broths, and the crunch of pickled vegetables brightening smoky meats.

Some of Công’s favorites include Phở Bò Ấu Triệu, tucked near St. Joseph’s Cathedral, and Bún Chả Hàng Mành, a go-to spot for Hanoi’s most famous grilled pork and noodle dish. For something more interactive, Chả Cá Thăng Long offers turmeric-marinated fish sizzling tableside with dill and spring onions, a recipe that has defined the city’s dining scene for generations.

But what truly defines the local experience is street dining. Sitting on low plastic stools, shoulder to shoulder with locals, the lines between strangers blur. The air fills with sizzling pans, laughter, and the hum of passing motorbikes. “Only in Hanoi,” Công says, “can you experience this kind of street culture. It’s everyday life turned into something special.”

The Drinks

If food brings people together, drinks keep them there. Hanoi’s drinking culture is as layered as its history, spanning humble street corners, from cafes serving local egg coffee, to lively beer streets, and then elegant cocktail lounges.

“The city’s scene is incredibly diverse,” Công explains. “You can have bia hơi on the sidewalk one night and a world-class cocktail the next.”

Bia hơi, Hanoi’s iconic fresh beer, remains the city’s most beloved drink, a light, unpasteurized brew served cold and fast at communal tables. It’s less about what’s in the glass and more about who’s around it. Locals gather after work to unwind, laugh, and watch the city pass by. On Tạ Hiện Street, famously dubbed “Beer Street,” the energy peaks as hundreds of tiny stools spill across the pavement, creating an open-air festival of friendship and foam.

And when the day winds down, coffee culture takes over. Hanoi’s cafés are as diverse as its people: from modern, minimalist spaces to old institutions like Café Giang, home of the legendary egg coffee (cà phê trứng), rich and frothy with a sweetness that lingers like the city itself.

But beyond the street-side beers, a new generation of cocktail bars is quietly transforming Hanoi’s identity. Bars like Haflington, with its refined yet welcoming ambiance, are putting the city on the regional map. “We’re seeing more creativity now,” Công notes. “There’s respect for local ingredients, herbs, spices, teas, combined with a modern approach to technique.”

That blend of tradition and innovation defines the new Hanoi bar culture. Each cocktail tells a story, sometimes of place, sometimes of memory, but always grounded in authenticity. Whether it’s a riff on Vietnamese coffee or a highball infused with local botanicals, the drinks reflect a city coming into its own.

And yet, Công insists that the real spirit of Hanoi drinking remains communal. “In Hanoi, it’s never just about the drink. It’s about the food, the laughter, the people sharing the table. That’s what makes it special.”

The Big List

RESTAURANTS & CAFÉS

Phở Bò Ấu Triệu – A beloved eatery near St. Joseph’s Cathedral, known for its rich and aromatic beef noodle soup.
Bún Chả Hàng Mành – Famous for its smoky grilled pork and noodles, a true taste of Hanoi tradition.
Chả Cá Thăng Long – Iconic restaurant serving turmeric-marinated fish with dill, a dish that defines Hanoian cuisine.
Café Giang – Historic café and the birthplace of the legendary Vietnamese egg coffee (cà phê trứng).

DISHES TO TRY

Phở – Hanoi’s national treasure, a comforting bowl of rice noodles in fragrant beef or chicken broth.
Bún Chả – Grilled pork with rice noodles, herbs, and dipping sauce — smoky, sweet, and savory.
Chả Cá – Turmeric fish with dill, served sizzling with vermicelli and peanuts.
Bánh mì – The perfect grab-and-go street food, balancing crisp bread with savory fillings and pickled vegetables.
Bia hơi – Light, freshly brewed beer poured from roadside kegs; more ritual than refreshment.

MARKETS & EXPERIENCES

Old Quarter – Wander through narrow streets lined with street food stalls, cafés, and shops that capture the soul of Hanoi.
Tạ Hiện Street (“Beer Street”) – The city’s nightlife epicenter, where locals and travelers share cold bia hơi on plastic stools.
Train Street Hanoi – The famous café-lined railway where trains pass just meters away (visit with caution).
Đồng Xuân Market – Hanoi’s largest market, buzzing with food vendors, local snacks, and handmade goods.

Tips & Phrases

Tipping: Not mandatory in Vietnam, but a small gesture is always appreciated for good service.
Getting Around: Use Grab for convenience, or walk to experience Hanoi’s old streets and hidden gems.
Drinking Age: The legal age to enter bars and nightclubs is 18.
Where to Stay: Stay in the Old Quarter or near Hoàn Kiếm Lake for easy access to nightlife and cafés.

Cheers: Một, hai, ba, dzô! (One, two, three, cheers!)
Thank You: Cám ơn
Hi / Hello: Xin chào
Nice to Meet You: Rất vui được gặp bạn
Goodbye: Tạm biệt