Highway4

Highway4 is a bar and restaurant at 5 Hang Tre in Ly Thai To Ward, on the eastern edge of the Old Quarter of Hoan Kiem District, near the Red River dyke in Hanoi, Vietnam. It is built around Son Tinh, its own range of rice spirits infused with fruit, roots and herbs, with flavours such as apricot, sim berry, ginger, mint and coffee. The spirits are served in tasting flights of small glasses, which lets visitors sample several flavours in one sitting, and the drinks tie in with the northern mountain regions where the tradition of infused rice spirits is strong. The kitchen cooks dishes from the ethnic minority regions of northern Vietnam, including catfish spring rolls and grilled meats, so the venue works as both a meal and a drinking stop. The crowd is a mixture of Vietnamese groups, expatriates and visitors interested in local food and drink, mostly adults from their mid-twenties upward, and the atmosphere is convivial and informal. There is no dress code; casual clothing is normal. Music is background only. Spirits cost about 60,000-200,000 VND a glass, roughly USD 2.31-7.69, and a tasting flight starts from about 200,000 VND, or USD 7.69. The venue is open daily from about 10:00 to 24:00, which suits a long lunch, early dinner or later drink alike. There is no cover charge and no bottle-service programme. Reservations are generally not required, though groups may want to call ahead at busy times. Rice spirits are stronger than beer, so visitors should pace themselves and eat with the flight, and the staff can suggest which flavours are sweeter and which are drier. The eastern Old Quarter location is quieter than the beer-street area to the west.