Vietnam - Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Northern Thailand - page 342

Most foreigners prefer kem (ice cream) or yaourt (yoghurt), which is generally of good
quality.
Try che, a cold, refreshing sweet soup made with sweetened beans (black or green) or
corn. It's served in a glass with ice and sweet coconut cream on top.
Drink
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS
Memorise the words bia hoi, which mean 'draught beer' - it's probably the cheapest beer
in the world. Starting at around 5000d a glass, anyone can afford a round. Places that
serve bia hoi usually also serve cheap food.
Several foreign labels brewed in Vietnam under licence include Tiger, Carlsberg and
Heineken.
National and regional brands include Halida and Hanoi in the north, Huda and Larue in
the centre, and BGI and 333 (ba ba ba) in the south of the country.
Wine and spirits are available but at higher prices. Local brews are cheaper but not al-
ways drinkable.
NONALCOHOLIC DRINKS
Whatever you drink, make sure that it's been boiled or bottled. Ice is generally safe on the
tourist trail, but not guaranteed elsewhere.
Vietnamese ca phe (coffee) is fine stuff and there is no shortage of cafes in which to
sample it.
Foreign soft drinks are widely available in Vietnam. An excellent local treat is soda
chanh (carbonated mineral water with lemon and sugar) or nuoc chanh nong (hot,
sweetened lemon juice).
TOP OF CHAPTER
Environment
Environmental consciousness is low in Vietnam. Rapid industrialisation, deforestation and
pollution are major problems facing the country.