Southeast Asia is home to amazing food, wild nightlife, and, of course, some seriously unique drinking traditions. Whether you’re taking shots in Thailand, sipping cocktails in Vietnam, or chugging local brews in the Philippines, every country has its own way of getting the party started. Let’s take a booze-filled journey through the region and see how each country likes to drink!
🇹🇭 Thailand: The Land of Buckets & Beer Towers
When it comes to partying, Thailand does not mess around. Walk down Bangkok’s Khao San Road or Phuket’s Bangla Street, and you’ll see people drinking from literal buckets. Yes, a small plastic bucket filled with a mix of whiskey, soda, and energy drinks—basically a recipe for making bad decisions and unforgettable nights.
Beer is also serious business in Thailand, with beer towers being the go-to move for groups. Chang, Leo, and Singha are the holy trinity of Thai beers, and they’re best enjoyed with a table full of grilled meats and spicy papaya salad. Just be careful—Thai whiskey (looking at you, SangSom) is stronger than it looks, and your hangover will remind you the next day.
🇻🇳 Vietnam: Beer, Ice, and 100% Social Drinking
Vietnam takes a chill and social approach to drinking. Beer (bia) is king, but here’s the twist—they drink it with ice. Yes, in Vietnam, a warm beer is a crime, so bartenders load up your glass with ice cubes before pouring you a Saigon or Hanoi Beer.
But drinking in Vietnam is not just about getting drunk—it’s about friendship, food, and endless toasts. You’ll often hear “Một, hai, ba, dô!” (one, two, three, cheers!) before every sip. And trust us, Vietnamese people are unstoppable when it comes to refilling your glass—your drink will never be empty, no matter how hard you try.
🇵🇭 Philippines: Red Horse & Karaoke Madness
Filipinos love two things: singing and drinking—and they often do both at the same time. A proper night out in the Philippines almost always includes karaoke, where even the most tone-deaf person suddenly believes they can sing like Bruno Mars after a few rounds of beer.
The drink of choice? Red Horse Beer—a super strong lager that has a way of sneaking up on you. One minute, you’re casually sipping; the next, you’re dancing on tables, yelling the lyrics to “My Heart Will Go On.” And if beer isn’t your thing, Ginebra San Miguel (a gin so strong it could power a motorcycle) will definitely get the job done.
🇮🇩 Indonesia: Arak Attacks & Bintang Chills
Indonesia has one of the most diverse drinking cultures, depending on where you are. In Bali, tourists love Bintang Beer, which is perfect for chilling by the beach. But if you want to drink like a local, you have to try arak—a homemade rice or palm liquor that can be dangerously strong (and sometimes sketchy).
Because alcohol is heavily taxed in Indonesia, many people turn to homebrewed drinks, which range from decent to questionable life choices. If you’re trying arak, make sure you get it from a trusted source—bad batches can be too strong, or worse, unsafe.
🇰🇭 Cambodia: The Kingdom of Beer & Cheap Booze
Cambodia is one of the most affordable places to drink in Southeast Asia. Beer is insanely cheap, with Angkor, Anchor (yes, they’re different), and Cambodia Beer leading the scene. It’s common to find bars offering $0.50 draft beers during happy hour, making it a backpacker’s paradise.
But the real fun starts with local rice wines and infused spirits. Many places sell homemade whiskey infused with snakes, scorpions, or herbs—believed to have “special powers.” Whether or not that’s true, they’re definitely strong enough to make you question your life choices.
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No matter where you’re drinking in Southeast Asia, one thing is for sure—you don’t want to wake up suffering the next day. From bucket cocktails in Thailand to karaoke-fueled gin sessions in the Philippines, great nights shouldn’t come with painful mornings.
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