A Brief History of Hanoi’s Iconic Bia Hoi Glass

If you’ve ever spent time hanging out on the pavement of Vietnam’s capital, chatting with friends while sipping on cheap bia hơi, you know what we’re talking about: cốc vại. The short, bluish glasses are rough around the edges, quite literally, but without them, the beer doesn’t taste nearly as refreshing. While many may have enjoyed Hanoi’s street beer in these glass tumblers, few are aware that they are not an anonymous creation, but an actual design by a German-trained Vietnamese designer.

In October 1970, the young Le Huy Van first set foot back in the capital after studying at Burg Giebichenstein Kunsthochschule Halle, an art school in Germany. Van wasn’t assigned an art-related job right away by Hanoi authorities but started working as an interpreter in the Government’s Office. Four years later, he was moved to the technical department of the government’s industrial cooperative, the “birthplace” of the iconic bia hơi glass… read more >

Bia Hà Nội 1976 Vintage Men's T-Shirt

Design Description Bia Hà Nội is one of Vietnam’s best-known beers and a longtime symbol of the capital’s vibrant drinking culture. Its history can be traced to Hanoi’s Hommel Brewery, established in 1890 during the French colonial era. Today, the beer is closely tied to the city’s bustling street-food scene. Light, cr