alt Hacker NewsHanoi’s humble beer glass and the memory of a nation
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I grew up with these glasses (they're used for other street beverage too, the second most common behind beers in HN would be iced tea), and now I'm growing old with them. They're an integral part of who I am at this point, I guess I'd tell my kids to bury me with a few so I could have beers down there with my friends too lol.
I use them on a daily basis, but I have my doubts about the health aspects. They have literal rough edges. I had to throw 10% away because I hurt myself while cleaning them and they are hard to clean.
On the streets I saw some buildup dirtiness behind those edges directly below the part you touch with your mouth.
Moreover, they are cooled down during the production process in the ashes, so they are very dirty when delivered.
> Bia hơi (pronounced “bee-ah hoy” and meaning “fresh beer”) is brewed without preservatives or added carbonation.
Tank beer (tankova) from Urquell is same but it last a week or two in the tank to my knowledge and not just 24 hours as Bia hơi. It is properly the best pilsner in the world.
Getting cranked on Bia Hoi in Hanoi with some locals is just an incredible cultural experience.
Great read about a niche topic!
I know almost nothing about Vietnam, but this article felt like I had visited.
Great article, I visited Vietnam reading it. Now I want to buy a cóc
Talking about weird cultural things. Pretty much every Spanish household has at least some of their drinking glasses made up of the glasses used by Nocilla (Spanish chocolate spread brand). https://dechocolate.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/nocilla.j...
Hmm, does everyone in Vietnam have a drinking problem?
FTA: the defeat of American troops and fall of Saigon in 1975
This is a bit misleading: Yes, strategically the U.S. was defeated in 1975, but U.S. troops had pulled out in 1973, having essentially never been beaten on the battlefield — not that it matters, of course.
> brewed it fresh daily
This is not how beer works.
I found this really interesting. Thanks for submitting it!
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"But in some corners of Hanoi, government officials still have exclusive access to special shops selling goods at subsidized rates. "
Surely in a communist government access would be equal to all? Why would there be elites?
> Anh em ơiiii, vực nào sâu thăm thẳm? —“Brothers, what abyss is deep?” Vực nào sâu bằng cái ly này! —“What abyss is deeper than this glass?” Hò zô ta nào! —“Haul it up!” Kéo cái ly này lên! —“Lift this glass high!”
It’s a pity that the writer didn’t elaborate on the origin of this “chant.” It’s a parody of a chant that’s originally for pulling cannons up the abyss of Dien Bien Phu. The battle alone killed at least 15,000 Vietnamese but brought decisive victory for the Vietnamese in its struggle to gain freedom from the French in 1954.