Vietnamese coffee culture – a true art of living ☕

Coffee, like cafes, is part of the Vietnamese way of life. In the big cities, small stalls as well as larger establishments are everywhere. Travelling to Vietnam means travelling to the land of coffee, as my country is now the world’s second largest exporter of these roasted beans.

Because during your trip you will have to go to coffee shops, drink coffee or visit coffee production sites, we propose in this article a small overview of the history and practices related to coffee consumption in Vietnam.

The origins and history of Vietnamese coffee

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in Vietnam, and its culture is now rooted in the history and tradition of the country. However, the introduction of coffee in Vietnam is recent, dating back to the French colonial period.

During the French colonial period, settlers introduced coffee to the country, planting it in the central and southern provinces of Vietnam. The Arabica variety was introduced first, but it did not thrive in the country’s hot and humid climate. The robusta variety was then introduced in the 1920s, allowing Vietnam to become one of the largest producers of robusta coffee in the world.

Over time, coffee drinking became an integral part of Vietnamese culture.

Today, Vietnamese coffee has become an important export product for the country. In addition to exporting coffee beans, Vietnam also exports a variety of coffee products such as ground coffee, instant coffee drinks and flavoured coffee. Coffee growing has become an important part of the Vietnamese economy, creating jobs for many Vietnamese in the coffee growing regions.

The specificity of Vietnamese coffee

Vietnamese coffee is specific for several reasons. Firstly, as we have just seen, it is often prepared with Robusta coffee beans rather than Arabica. Robusta beans have a higher caffeine content and a fuller flavour than Arabica beans, which gives Vietnamese coffee a unique and intense taste.

In addition, the method of preparing Vietnamese coffee is also specific. Instead of a conventional coffee machine, the Vietnamese use a stainless steel coffee pot called a “phin”. The coffee is placed in the filter and hot water is slowly poured over it, allowing the coffee to brew slowly and gently. This slow brewing method gives Vietnamese coffee a rich flavour and a thick, syrupy consistency.

How is coffee drunk in Vietnam?

In addition to the use of this unique coffee maker, there are some very special ways of drinking coffee in Vietnam. Here are some of the most popular ways.

Iced coffee: Vietnamese unique ice coffee ranked second in a list of the world’s 10 best coffees as voted by readers of international cuisine magazine TasteAtlas.. Once the coffee is brewed, add sweetened condensed milk to taste and stir to mix. Then add ice cubes to serve.

Vietnamese latte: latte is prepared by mixing Vietnamese coffee with hot milk and sweetened condensed milk. The amount of sweetened condensed milk added depends on personal preference. The drink is then served hot.

Coffee with almond milk: for this healthier variant, sweetened condensed milk is replaced by almond milk. The Vietnamese coffee is prepared as usual and 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 is obtained. The mixture is then added to Vietnamese coffee, resulting in a sweet and creamy drink. It is important to note that the egg foam can be quite thick, so it is recommended to stir the coffee with a spoon to integrate the two.

Christmas coffee: This festive drink is made by mixing Vietnamese coffee with hot milk, sugar syrup, cinnamon and nutmeg. The drink is then topped with whipped cream and cinnamon for added flavour.

Where is Vietnamese coffee produced?

Now 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 centre of coffee production in Vietnam. These regions have a favourable climate for coffee growing, with nutrient-rich soils and a mountainous topography that provides an ideal altitude for coffee growing. Coffee trees grow at an altitude of 500 to 1,000 metres, where the climatic conditions are ideal for the production of 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 wetter climate and less rich soils, 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 Ha Giang and Lao Cai provinces in the north and Quang Tri and Quang Nam provinces in the centre.

Coffee Museum in Buon Ma Thuot

• Address: Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Tan Loi, Buon Ma Thuot City, Dak Lak
• Open: 7am – 6pm
• Price: 75.000VND

Buon Ma Thuot is a city in the Central Highlands of Vietnam that is known for its coffee culture and the art of coffee making. In Buon Me Thuot, the incredible Coffee Museum can be found.

The museum is housed in a traditional longhouse-style building and features a wide range of exhibits, displays, and interactive experiences. Visitors can learn about the history of coffee cultivation in the region, from the early days of French colonialism to the present day, and explore the different varieties of coffee grown in the area.

One of the highlights of the museum is the coffee tasting area, where visitors can sample a variety of different types of coffee, including the famous weasel coffee, which is produced using a unique process that involves civet cats eating and digesting coffee cherries.

In addition to the exhibits and displays, the coffee museum also offers a range of educational programs and activities, including workshops on coffee roasting and brewing, and guided tours of coffee plantations in the surrounding area.

Where to buy coffee in Vietnam?

As you can see, coffee in Vietnam is a popular drink throughout the country. As a result, it is available everywhere in restaurants, cafes and street stalls. If you are looking to buy Vietnamese coffee as a souvenir or to take home, there are several options available.

Local markets are an excellent 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 shops also sell Vietnamese coffee. Large supermarket chains such as Winmart, Aeon and Lotte Mart offer a variety of brands and types of Vietnamese coffee. Local grocery shops and specialty coffee shops often carry high-end and specialty varieties of coffee.

If you want to buy directly from coffee farmers, you can visit coffee-producing areas 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 factories in these areas, which offer freshly roasted coffees.

Finally, if you are looking to buy Vietnamese coffee online, many retailers offer online shopping options. Specialist Vietnamese coffee websites, as well as popular online retailers such as Lazada and Shopee, offer a wide selection of Vietnamese coffee brands and varieties.

But the best way is to go to the specialised coffee shops. Here are some of the best places in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

The best places to buy coffee in Hanoi

While chain coffee shops have sprung up in the big cities, they are better off off the beaten track! Many Vietnamese people are still attached to the small, traditional neighbourhood cafes, pavement cafes and small family-run shops. In Hanoi, especially in the old quarter of the Vietnamese capital, more and more small, old-fashioned, intimate cafés with vintage decoration are springing up, celebrating “Hanoi xua”, which means “Hanoi in the good old days”. Warm places where Hanoians like to relax and give time to time.

Café Mai: located in Hanoi’s old town, Café Mai is a coffee shop that offers a variety of high quality Vietnamese coffee beans. You can also find iced coffee, coffee drinks and desserts.

Address: 96 Le Van Huu, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi

Café Giang: an iconic address in Hanoi, Café Giang is known for its unique and delicious egg coffee. Café 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

Café Duy Tri: This coffee shop in Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem district offers a variety of quality Vietnamese coffees, Vietnamese coffee makers and coffee accessories. Café Duy Tri is a popular place for coffee lovers and tourists.

Address: 43A Yen Phu, Tay Ho, Hanoi

Two major franchises that can be found throughout the city:

Trung Nguyen Coffee: this Vietnamese coffee chain is well established in Hanoi and 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 the Noi Bai airport (for last minute purchases!).

The best places 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 high quality Vietnamese coffee beans. The coffee beans are roasted on site and you can learn more about the coffee and chocolate making process by visiting the shop. The company was established by French people in the mid-2010s.

Address: 69 Calmette, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1

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 lovers.

Address: 27 Ngo Duc Ke, Ben Nghe, District 1

Bosgaurus Coffee Roasters: located in District 3, Bosgaurus Coffee Roasters is an artisanal coffee roastery that offers high-quality Vietnamese coffee beans. The coffee beans are roasted on site and you can also find coffee accessories, coffee blends and coffee drinks.

Address: 1D5, 92, Villa Nguyen Huu Canh, Saigon Pearl, Binh Thanh

Shin Coffee: this address located in District 1 is a coffee shop that offers a variety of quality Vietnamese coffee beans, coffee blends and coffee drinks. Shin Coffee is also known for its Vietnamese copper coffee pots and coffee accessories.

Address: 13 Nguyen Thiep, Ben Nghe, District 1

Evolving with the times, between tradition and modernity, coffee in Vietnam remains a cultural singularity to be discovered during a trip to Vietnam. You will see it, in certain streets, it strolls an air inherited from France.

Coffee lovers, you now know that Vietnam is for you!