Tourists gather at Ta Hien, the city's most famous and talked about backpacker hub one Friday night in October.
Vietnam's capital Hanoi was voted the second best city for nightlife in Southeast Asia after Thailand's Bangkok, according to a survey released last month by British magazine Time Out.
As many as 82% of locals said it is easy to connect with others in Hanoi while the city also scored well for both the quality and affordability of its nightlife scene, receiving ratings of 67% and 63%, respectively, the survey shows.
Menus in both Vietnamese and English are available at tables.
Ta Hien beer street starts filling up between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., reaching its busiest point from around 10 p.m., when every seat is occupied and the street stays lively late into the night.
A bottle of beer here costs from VND20,000 (US$0.76).
A group of foreign tourists enjoy beer at Ta Hien.
"When I think of nightlife in Hanoi, the first place that comes to mind is the Old Quarter. Beer Street is obviously very popular with tourists, but it's entertaining and there's always a lot happening around that part of the city," Australian tourist Tomich told VnExpress International.
Hanoi also has some great rooftop bars, cocktail bars and restaurants, and he has always enjoyed how alive the streets can feel late into the evening, he added.
Ta Hien is much smaller than Ho Chi Minh City's equivalent Bui Vien Street or Bangkok's Khaosan Road, but it is increasingly taking on a distinctly local character.
"Compared with Ho Chi Minh City, I'd describe Hanoi's nightlife as a little quieter and more relaxed, particularly later at night. But that's part of its character. You can have a great night out without everything feeling like a huge party district," Tomich added.
For him, Hanoi's nightlife has a good mixture of local culture, international influences and the distinctive street life that makes the city interesting after dark.
Coco Bar, in the heart of Ta Hien, is often recommended by travel sites.
It offers reasonably priced food and drinks, making it a popular spot for those looking to spend an evening amid the energy of the street.
Tourists sit outside Havana Pub on Ma May Street, a popular nightlife spot in the Vietnamese capital.
The pub features lively background music and live performances on weekends. It serves a selection of beers, signature cocktails and bar snacks, with outdoor seating that overlooks the bustling Old Quarter.
Locals and tourists gather as a street artist performs on Dinh Liet Street.
The roughly 200-meter-long street is known for its brocade products and scarves, along with a lively food scene near Hoan Kiem Lake.
Julien and Louis, a couple from France, enjoy a walk at Hoan Kiem pedestrian area, home to many of Hanoi's best-known historical landmarks, cultural attractions and traditional food spots.
Two American tourists, who met by chance on a bus from Sa Pa, enjoy banh mi and beer in downtown Hanoi.
Vietnam's popular banh mi have been several times honored among world's best sandwiches by international media.
The classic version combines cold cuts with vegetables such as coriander, cucumber, pickled carrots and daikon, along with French-style condiments including pâté and mayonnaise.
Other popular fillings include cha lua (Vietnamese pork bologna), fried eggs, grilled pork and meatballs.
