Ta Hien – Beer Street in Hanoi
‘Let’s go to Tạ Hiện and grab some beer’ is a common invitation that you will get when you are staying in Hanoi. Tạ Hiện, a famous street of 266 m in length, is definitely a must-visit place in Hanoi Old Quarter. Not naturally that people call Tạ Hiện the “international intersection” because this is where they can see how the Western culture harmonizes with Eastern one. And sometimes you will even hear people call it the “Western street” or “Foreign street” – “Phố Tây” for each step of your way is probably a foreign guy sitting and enjoying his beer with some snacks.There is an interesting fact that I often hear from a group of people, mostly the elderly, that Ta Hien (Tạ Hiện) is pronounced Tạ Hiền. The second way of pronunciation is 100 percent untrue because the name of the street is originally taken after that of a famous general in Vietnam, Tạ Quang Hiện. However, Vietnamese people still sometimes use it just because it is easier to pronounce.
Personally, I think Tạ Hiện street is like a narrow or a mini version of a food heaven with lots of super small alleyways and twisted intersections, which I presume very fit for a curious explorer who wants to enjoy a little bit taste of rusticity. If you want some more adventure, come here at night but do not say that I have not warned you that it is very crowded! I used to come here with my friends at about 10 pm and it took me about 15 minutes to worn my way through the crowd and another 15 minutes to get back since there are lots of bars, beer, and clubs with flocks of people sitting on the sidewalks. Nevertheless, I did not regret about going there because the foods were great, the atmosphere was perfect and above all, I could make new friends. And sometimes it is great to talk to strangers in the middle of Hanoi. Now, take a look at some of the photos taken by Duc Vu at Maze Vietnam in Tạ Hiện!
To see more photos, check the open album below or go to Flickr: Photo Album Flickr (Please use the left/right arrows to navigate in the files of the open album)
Words by Content writer Trang Nguyen
Photos by Contributor Duc Vu
To see more photos about Tạ Hiện and other interesting streets in Hanoi Old Quarter at night, please click here
There is also such a street in Ho Chi Minh City, a street for cultural exchange between Vietnamese and foreigners, but there definitely are differences between Hanoi’s and HCMC’s street. Ta Binh St looks more ancient and maintains a really warm atmosphere. Walking along this street, I’m certain foreigners would absorb Vietnamese lives and traditions more easily, since they’re are living it.