Coffee, and coffee shops, are part of the Vietnamese way of life. In big cities, small stalls and larger establishments alike are everywhere. Traveling to Vietnam means traveling to the land of coffee, since the country is today the world’s second largest exporter of roasted coffee beans.
Since you’ll likely visit cafes, drink coffee, or even visit coffee production sites during your trip, we offer in this article a brief overview of the history and practices related to coffee consumption in Vietnam.
To organize an authentic trip to Vietnam and discover Vietnamese coffee in the best conditions, you can rely on our local agency.
What are the origins and history of Vietnamese coffee?
Coffee was introduced to Vietnam relatively recently, but its culture is today deeply rooted in local tradition.
Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in Vietnam, and its culture is today rooted in the country’s history and tradition. Coffee’s introduction to Vietnam is nonetheless recent, dating back to the French colonial era.
During the period of French colonization, colonists introduced coffee to the country, planting it in the central and southern provinces of Vietnam. Arabica was introduced first, but it did not thrive in the country’s hot, humid climate. That’s when the robusta variety was introduced in the 1920s, allowing Vietnam to become one of the world’s largest producers of robusta coffee.
Over time, coffee consumption became an integral part of Vietnamese culture.
Today, Vietnamese coffee has become a major export product for the country. In addition to exporting coffee beans, Vietnam also exports a variety of coffee-based products such as ground coffee, instant coffee drinks, and flavored coffee. The coffee industry has become an important part of the Vietnamese economy, creating jobs for many Vietnamese in coffee-producing regions.
What makes Vietnamese coffee so specific?
Vietnamese coffee stands out for its use of robusta rather than arabica, with beans richer in caffeine.
Vietnamese coffee is specific for several reasons. First, as we just saw, it is often prepared with robusta beans rather than arabica. Robusta beans have a higher caffeine content and a bolder flavor than arabica beans, giving Vietnamese coffee a unique and intense taste.
In addition, the brewing method for Vietnamese coffee is also specific. Instead of a classic coffee machine, Vietnamese people use a stainless steel coffee filter called a “phin.” The coffee is placed in the filter, then hot water is slowly poured over it, letting the coffee brew slowly and gently. This slow brewing method gives Vietnamese coffee a rich flavor along with a thick, syrupy consistency.
The “phin” filter of Vietnamese coffee. Photo credit: stock Pixabay
How is coffee drunk in Vietnam?
Beyond its traditional coffee pot, Vietnam has developed distinctive ways of enjoying its coffee, iced or not.
Beyond the use of this unique coffee maker, Vietnam has some very particular ways of drinking coffee. Here are a few of the most popular.
Iced coffee: once the coffee has brewed, add sweetened condensed milk to taste and stir to combine. Then add ice cubes to serve.
Vietnamese coffee with milk: coffee with milk is prepared by mixing Vietnamese coffee with hot milk and sweetened condensed milk. The amount of condensed milk added depends on personal preference. The drink is then served hot.
Vietnamese coffee with milk
Coffee with almond milk: for this healthier variant, sweetened condensed milk is replaced with almond milk. The Vietnamese coffee is prepared as usual, then added to the almond milk. This drink is also served hot.
Egg coffee (Ca Phe Trung): this drink is prepared by whisking egg yolk with sugar until a thick, creamy foam forms. The mixture is then added to Vietnamese coffee, resulting in a sweet, creamy drink. Note that the egg foam can be quite thick, so it’s recommended to stir the coffee with a spoon to properly blend the two.
Vietnamese egg coffee
Christmas coffee: this festive drink is prepared by mixing Vietnamese coffee with hot milk, sugar syrup, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The drink is then topped with whipped cream and cinnamon for an extra touch of flavor.
Where is Vietnamese coffee grown?
The world’s second largest coffee producer after Brazil, Vietnam concentrates most of its production in mountainous regions.
Today the world’s second largest coffee producer after Brazil, the majority of production is concentrated in the mountainous regions of central and southern Vietnam.
The central provinces such as Dak Lak, Gia Lai and Kon Tum are often considered the heart of coffee production in Vietnam. These regions have a climate favorable to coffee growing, with nutrient-rich soil and mountainous terrain that provides an ideal altitude for coffee cultivation. Coffee plants grow at an altitude of 500 to 1,000 meters, where climatic conditions are ideal for producing high-quality coffee.
The southern regions of Vietnam, such as Lam Dong, Dong Nai and Buon Ma Thuot, are also important for coffee production. The southern regions have a more humid climate and less rich soil, but are still capable of producing high-quality coffee beans.
In addition to the central and southern regions, Vietnamese coffee is also produced in other parts of the country, such as the provinces of Ha Giang and Lao Cai in the north and the provinces of Quang Tri and Quang Nam in the center.
Where can you buy coffee in Vietnam?
Vietnamese coffee can be found everywhere in the country, in restaurants, cafes, and street stalls.
As you’ve gathered, coffee in Vietnam is a popular drink throughout the country. As such, it’s available everywhere in restaurants, cafes, and street stalls. If you’re looking to buy Vietnamese coffee as a souvenir or to bring home, there are several options available.
Local markets are a great place to find Vietnamese coffee. You can find raw coffee beans, pre-packaged blends, and bags of ground coffee at markets such as Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Xuan Market in Hanoi.
Supermarkets and grocery stores also sell Vietnamese coffee. Major supermarket chains such as Winmart, Aeon, and Lotte Mart offer a variety of Vietnamese coffee brands and types. Local grocery stores and specialty coffee shops often carry premium and specialty coffee varieties.
If you want to buy directly from coffee producers, you can visit coffee-growing regions such as Dak Lak, Gia Lai and Kon Tum. Local farmers often sell their own coffee directly to visitors. You can also find coffee roasting facilities in these regions, offering freshly roasted coffee.
Finally, if you’re looking to buy Vietnamese coffee online, many retailers offer online purchasing options. Websites specializing in Vietnamese coffee, as well as popular online marketplaces like Lazada and Shopee, offer a wide selection of Vietnamese coffee brands and varieties.
But the best option is still to visit specialty coffee shops. Here are a few good addresses in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
The best addresses to buy coffee in Hanoi:
Cafe Mai: located in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Cafe Mai is a coffee shop offering a variety of premium Vietnamese coffee beans. You can also find iced coffee, coffee-based drinks, and desserts there.
Address: 96 Le Van Huu, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi
Cafe Giang: an iconic address in Hanoi, Cafe Giang is known for its unique and delicious egg coffee. Cafe Giang’s egg coffee is made from egg yolks, strong coffee, sweetened condensed milk, and ice.
Address: 39 Nguyen Huu Huan, Ly Thai To, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Cafe Duy Tri: this coffee shop, located in Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem district, offers a variety of quality Vietnamese coffees, Vietnamese coffee makers, and coffee accessories. Cafe Duy Tri is a popular spot for coffee lovers and tourists alike.
Address: 43A Yen Phu, Yen Phu, Tay Ho, Hanoi
Two major chains found all over the city:
Trung Nguyen Coffee: this well-established Vietnamese coffee chain in Hanoi offers a variety of quality coffee beans, coffee blends, Vietnamese coffee makers, cups, and accessories. Trung Nguyen Coffee has several locations in Hanoi.
Highlands Coffee: this Vietnamese coffee chain is also well known in Hanoi. Highlands Coffee has several locations in Hanoi, including in the Ba Dinh district and even at Noi Bai Airport (for last-minute purchases!).
The best addresses to buy coffee in Ho Chi Minh City
Maison Marou: located in District 1, Maison Marou is a chocolate shop that also offers a variety of premium Vietnamese coffee beans. The beans are roasted on-site, and you can learn more about the coffee and chocolate-making process by visiting the shop. The company was founded by Frenchmen in the mid-2010s.
Address: 69 Calmette, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
The Workshop Coffee: this District 1 address offers a variety of quality coffee beans, coffee blends, Vietnamese coffee makers, cups, and accessories. The Workshop Coffee is also known for its coffee expertise and training for coffee enthusiasts.
Address: 27 Ngo Duc Ke, Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Bosgaurus Coffee Roasters: located in District 3, Bosgaurus Coffee Roasters is an artisanal coffee roastery offering premium Vietnamese coffee beans. The beans are roasted on-site, and you can also find coffee accessories, coffee blends, and coffee-based drinks there.
Address: 1D5, 92, Villa, Nguyen Huu Canh, Saigon Pearl, Binh Thanh, Ho Chi Minh City
Shin Coffee: this address located in District 1 is a coffee shop offering a variety of quality Vietnamese coffee beans, coffee blends, and coffee-based drinks. Shin Coffee is also known for its copper Vietnamese coffee makers and coffee accessories.
Address: 13 Nguyen Thiep, Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Coffee lovers, you now know that Vietnam was made for you!
