{"id":640,"date":"2020-01-03T23:14:51","date_gmt":"2020-01-03T15:14:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/?p=640"},"modified":"2020-09-08T16:46:48","modified_gmt":"2020-09-08T08:46:48","slug":"hem-bia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/hem-bia\/","title":{"rendered":"Hem Bia: Lost In Hong Kong In Saigon Has Neon Lights & Signage To Let You Live Out Your TVB Drama Fantasies"},"content":{"rendered":"

Beer Alley: Lost in Hong Kong pub in Vietnam<\/h2>\n
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Those of us who grew up in Vietnam in the 90s would be familiar with scenes in TVB dramas – <\/span>open-air street stalls, cool alleyways,<\/span><\/i> and of course, Hong Kong Street lined with colourful signage and neon lights hanging from the sides of the buildings. Which is why <\/span>Hem Bia: Lost in Hong Kong<\/b>, translated as <\/span>Beer Alley: Lost in Hong Kong<\/b>, is such a hit with Saigonese.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The pub, which has drawn a full house almost every night since it opened in June this year, looks like a TVB drama come to life. From neon and Cantonese signages to a classic <\/span>Chinese<\/span> song playlist that drama fans can sing along to, every detail in the decor is made to transport you to Hong Kong.<\/span><\/p>\n

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An immersive experience<\/b><\/h3>\n
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\nImage credit: <\/span><\/i>@desmondzhu<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

The first thing you\u2019d notice about Hem Bia is its Hong Kong-inspired exterior when you come across its entrance, tucked away in an alley of Bui Vien zone on Pham Ngu Lao street – home to a hodgepodge of bars and clubs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The pub looks like a real alleyway in Hong Kong because of its retractable roof; it\u2019s breezy and bright, and even if it rains and the roof is closed, the ceiling is still high enough for it to not feel claustrophobic.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Pair that with retro neon lights, Hong Kong-themed art prints plastered all over the walls that are <\/span>designed to look like shops and open-air kitchens<\/span>, and it\u2019s easy to get tricked into thinking it\u2019s just another street in Hem Bia – which is what happened to many passers-by, according to the staff.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Photo spots at Hem Bia: Lost in Hong Kong<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Cuong, co-founder of the pub said that the space has \u201creplicas of the shops that [he] remembers from [his] most favorite movies\u201d and he\u2019s a big fan of Kung Fu Hustle<\/em>. He also wanted to create a space where people can hang out over a round of drinks and tavern grub after work, and to bring to life movie scenes that he had great childhood memories of.<\/p>\n

So you\u2019ll see mainstays of TVB dramas, such as the grocery stores, book stores, and the roasted meat stalls, as backdrops in the pub. There\u2019s even a portrait of The Landlord of Pig Sty Alley from Kung Fu Hustle<\/em> at the entrance – a testament to the owner\u2019s love for that movie.<\/p>\n

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The two most iconic spots are the balcony that overlooks the entire pub, and the staircase set against a wall of Hong Kong-style posters. You\u2019ll look like you\u2019re really \u201clost in Hong Kong\u201d in the pictures taken here, so there\u2019s almost always a queue to get these IG-worthy shots.<\/p>\n

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\nImage credit: <\/em>@foodloversaigon<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

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Menu at Hem Bia: Lost in Hong Kong<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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The only beverage served at Hem Bia is beer, so if you\u2019re not a beer drinker but still want something to drink, the staff will recommend a lighter-tasting Tiger Crystal (VND39,000, ~USD1.68)<\/strong>. Other beers offered include Budweiser<\/strong> (VND39,000, ~USD1.68)<\/strong>, Coronita (VND45,000, ~USD1.94)<\/strong>, and Hoegaarden Rosee (VND69,000, ~USD2.97)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Food-wise, you can expect a range of classic Cantonese food, such as mixed dimsum<\/strong> and pork dumplings (VND 59,000, ~USD2.54 each)<\/strong>. The curry fish ball soup (VND 59,000, ~USD2.54)<\/strong> is a must-try. It\u2019s served with a fresh and crunchy banh mi<\/em>, Vietnam\u2019s national baguette, that you can dip into the aromatic soup. The fish balls are also soft and springy.<\/p>\n

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\nImage credit:<\/span><\/i> H\u1ebbm Bia : Lost in Hong Kong<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

Vietnamese all-time favorite snacks are also featured in the menu, including the must-try <\/span>fermented pork with chilli and garlic (VND69,000, ~USD2.97)<\/b>, <\/span>grilled cuttlefish (VND139,000, ~USD5.98)<\/b>, and <\/span>steamed veal leg (VND89,000, ~USD3.83)<\/b>, among other street goodies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You can order and pay at the table, and the wait is less than ten minutes, even when the pub is packed.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Why you should visit Hem Bia: Lost in Hong Kong<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Hem Bia sits up to 100 guests at any one time, and you\u2019ll find young, working professionals from the ages of 20-40 years old visiting Hem Bia for its aesthetics, but it\u2019s the laidback and unique vibe that brings you back. Even if you\u2019re not a beer connoisseur, you won\u2019t feel left out or excluded in the diverse crowd.<\/p>\n

The success of the pub has led the founders to consider expanding into more outlets in Saigon. But instead of simply replicating this Hong Kong concept, Cuong says they may look to other countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, Japan or Korea for their next concept pub.<\/p>\n

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A unique pub to visit in Saigon<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Hem Bia: Lost in Hongkong is a unique and affordable place to hang out in a busy and bustling place like District 1. Besides beer and lots of neon lights, the pub is also a visual treat for those who love Hong Kong\u2019s art and culture, especially TVB fans who are looking for an authentic Hong Kong experience in Ho Chi Minh City.<\/p>\n

Reserve a table on Hem Bia\u2019s Facebook page here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Address<\/strong>: <\/span>175\/19 Pham Ngu Lao Street, District 1, HCM city
\nOpening hours<\/strong>: <\/span>Mon-Sun, 4PM-4AM
\nTelephone<\/strong>: <\/span>767 891 079
\nFacebook<\/a><\/p>\n

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