Coming on vacation to an exotic country, many tourists purchase various souvenirs. Among the gifts often appear alcoholic beverages. However, it is important for the traveler to know what is valued in this country, what to look for, and study the legislation on export / import. Alcohol in Vietnam is quite popular. Due to the fact that the main crop grown here is rice, many drinks are produced from it. Next, we’ll talk about the type of alcohol that is in demand in a southeastern country, where it is better to purchase it and recall export norms.
Varieties of beer
Alcohol is produced in Vietnam in a fairly large amount. But in addition to local brands, many imported ones are also sold here. In the country you can try a large number of different beers.
The most popular brand is Saigon. The drink, according to tourists, tastes good, has a small bitterness and a refreshing aftertaste. Of course, you can try other varieties of beer, but it is the green that most tourists recognize as the most interesting.
Unreliable beer
Vietnamese beer under the Day Viet brand is not credible. Drink the usual light shade. But according to tourists' reviews, the taste is completely not impressive, and some travelers claim that it is greatly diluted.
Alternative
Instead of Day Viet it is better to taste Vietnamese beer under the brand name "333". Some people compare it to Saigon, so it's worth a try to get your own opinion.
In Vietnam, they also offer "Czech beer." However, evil tongues claim that in the country the drink is greatly diluted. Of course, it is better to try the beer yourself and appreciate the difference. At the same time, the difference in taste will also be if you buy beer in an imported can or from a barrel for bottling.
Vietnamese winemaking
Not every tourist knows that wine is produced in Vietnam. However, excellent conditions for the cultivation of vineyards are on the mountain slopes of the country. Alcohol in Vietnam is made not only from the usual many grapes, but also from exotic local fruits. The taste of this wine is quite specific and not everyone likes it. But in order to form your own opinion, you can try the cheapest options at the beginning. So most of the tourist reviews indicate that Vietnamese wine is comparable to an explosive mixture created from a powder with a touch of fruit and fusel alcohol.
But it is not all that bad. Worthy of the attention of many travelers are expensive specimens. Such wine is produced in branded bottles, but most of the responses show that the taste of Vietnamese wine is not so versatile and rich to compare it, for example, with Georgian.
If you think about the causes of poor quality, you can assume the lack of elite grape varieties, the lack of experience with local and mention the weather conditions. However, a reliable reason, probably, lies in a comparison of all these facts.
Recommended brands of wine
Travelers should try the Dalat wine. The brand is designed for export, so it has excellent taste. In addition, Vietnam is a former colony of France, so some Aborigines pass on the experience of winemaking by inheritance.
Also, traveling around the provinces of the country, you can appreciate the taste of Lam Dong wine. The brand is being sold actively in the mountain resort of Dalat. It has a milder climate, which is compared with the Alpine, beautiful mountain landscapes. Therefore, in the past, even the French, laid the foundations of winemaking in this area, which are now supported by the inhabitants of the country.
Many travelers are interested in how much alcohol costs in Vietnam. Prices are quite affordable, so everyone can afford to buy several bottles. So, one thing will cost about 150 rubles.
Spirits
In Vietnam, rice is actively grown. Here, literally everything is made from it, and alcoholic beverages are no exception. If you want to try strong, but with a specific taste of alcohol, you should pay attention to rice liquor under the brand name Ruou thuoc.
The drink is insisted on local herbs with the addition of ... animals. Of course, such a tasting is not for the faint of heart, since one of the varieties of liquor is based on snakes.
Tourists, walking along the streets and going to local shops, often see similar bottles on the shelves, through the transparent glass of which reptiles are clearly visible. But experienced travelers are advised to carefully select the liquor due to the fact that the bottles look attractive and bright, but often the contents are fake. In this case, negligent sellers go for deception for the sake of money.
Unusual gift
Alcohol in Vietnam is often purchased as a presentation to relatives and friends. The attractiveness of such a gift is due to the appearance. In a clear liquid of a pleasant honey color, a large snake or even a huge scorpion floats. Of course, such a bottle looks not only intimidating, but also spectacular. Therefore, the present will be an excellent decoration for the collection of alcoholic drinks brought from around the world. In addition, rice liquor can be a great gift for a relative. And it doesn’t matter whether he is drinking or not.
Rice alcohol is believed to be medicinal. But to achieve the desired effect, it is recommended to drink it a little bit. Due to the beneficial substances of herbs and the presence of poisons, in large quantities it can harm.
Vietnamese moonshine
Variety can be alcohol in Vietnam. Reviews of tourists show that often the name does not justify the content. So, in the north of the country produce liquor under the brand name Ruou. However, it is difficult to call this drink liquor. Travelers, after drinking it, compare the taste with Russian moonshine.
Often you can find a spectacular supply of strong alcohol in a coconut. But experienced travelers are not advised to flatter themselves on a tempting offer. Often inside is the same moonshine, not of the highest quality. But some tourists do not feel fusel alcohol and claim that the drink is excellent. However, the deception of taste is due to the strong aroma of the nut itself. If you go too far with a similar drink, then in the morning the head hurts.
Herbal Drinks
Ruou can - wine based on rice and herbs. However, in the usual sense, the drink is completely unlike wine and rather resembles a herbal tincture. Local residents insist him in tall jugs made from unglazed ceramics.
Popular rum
Once in Vietnam, you can try the local rum. One of the popular brands is Chauvet. The drink can be both dark and light. The last option is for making cocktails. In any case, in its pure form it is not recommended to use it. But compensates for all the shortcomings of the light dark version. The drink is considered a worthy copy, which is worth not only to try while relaxing in the country, but also to purchase it for a home collection or present to friends. The cost of rum fluctuates around 9-10 dollars per liter.
For vodka lovers
Of course, vodka is also represented in Vietnam. Worthy options are the following brands:
There is not much difference between them. But the aftertaste of the last vodka resembles coconut. A bottle will cost the buyer about $ 5.
It is also worth remembering that in addition to local alcoholic beverages, alcohol from all over the world is sold in Vietnam. At the same time, prices are quite attractive, and especially persistent tourists can always reduce them.
Where to buy alcohol?
Of course, alcohol can be enjoyed in the restaurant. However, this option is considered the most expensive. Here, the restaurant margin, service and the cost of the proposed snack are laid in the price.
You can go in search of decent alcohol to the market or to small shops. In them you can find both cheap options and quite expensive. However, it is recommended to carefully approach the choice, since quite a lot of fakes are offered.
There are many large supermarkets in Vietnam. At the same time, shops are considered the best option for buying alcohol. There is a large selection and a guarantee of quality, but still, fakes can sometimes be found. Alcohol in Vietnam, sold at the supermarket, has an average price tag of $ 10.
Norms for the import and export of alcoholic beverages
Before acquiring bottles of alcohol for friends and relatives, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the regulations of import and export. Of course, it is necessary to clarify the data immediately before the trip, because they can change.
How much can I enter?
The rate for one adult citizen is as follows:
- 2 liters, strength up to 22 degrees;
- if more than 22 degrees, then not more than 1.5 liters;
- beer - no more than 3 liters.
The rules apply to hand luggage.
How much can I withdraw?
Within the limits of personal use, it is allowed to export alcoholic beverages from Vietnam. Only two glass bottles can be put in carry-on baggage. At the same time, it is possible that at the Nha Trang airport there will be a request to pack the bottles in foam boxes, which are sold here for $ 10 apiece. However, when departing from another airport, such a requirement will not follow.
Often through the fingers, customs officers look at the number of bottles exported, but in order not to run into problems, it’s worth knowing the measure.
Experienced travelers advise you to purchase alcohol in a plastic container. At the same time, pack them not in hand luggage, but in the main baggage.
Conclusion
Vietnamese money is a Vietnamese dong. It is better if in advance the tourist takes care of exchanging his currency for the national one. In supermarkets only accept her. But sellers of small shops are also ready to accept dollars.
In conclusion, it is worth saying that when buying alcohol, you should not lose your head and taste everything in a row. It is better to choose a proven place - a restaurant or a store. It is also better not to overdo it with the amount of drunk, otherwise, such an act can completely ruin the rest.