Best Vietnamese coffee brands and shops
Vietnam has a huge coffee culture. I was taken aback by the sheer number of coffee shops and cafes in this little spot of Southeast Asia. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many cafes in any other city I’ve been to; whether you’re in Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, the cities are littered with them attracting coffee lovers everywhere. So make sure you know what the best Vietnamese coffee brands are when you come to town, and the best Vietnamese coffee that you can thankfully buy online to enjoy the strong coffee taste in your own home.
But the Vietnamese don’t call it a café; the Vietnamese call it cà phê. Coffee holds a special place in Vietnamese society, serving as much more than just a morning pick me up – it is used in social bonding, relaxation, and tradition. Whether it’s ultra sweet coffee with condensed milk, a cold brew, the famous egg coffee or the traditional Vietnamese coffee that slow drips into your mug (called phin coffee!), there’s something for everyone.
Best tours in Hanoi:
| Don’t miss some of the best tours in Hanoi, whether you’re after some adventure or a serene escape, there’s something for you. Ha Long Bay tours – the incredible emerald Gem on Vietnam’s East coast. Ninh Binh tours – trips to the city of Ninh Binh Hanoi Foodie tours – this was the best thing I did in Hanoi! Incense Tour – Quang Phu Cau is the most incredible place! Motorbike tour – definitely fun and an adventurous way to explore the city. |
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I have just toured the whole of Vietnam, from south to north and the one thing that stood out was the coffee. Coffee is a huge part of Vietnamese life and read on for the best Vietnamese coffee! And if you’re a coffee lover, you’ll love Vietnam. I actually came across some travellers who were specifically touring Vietnam just for the Coffee experience!
And they’re not the only ones! In recent years, coffee tourism has become a big part of Vietnamese culture and it is now attracting visitors from around the world who want to explore the captivating coffee plantations, learn about the coffee-making process, and of course, get that extra caffeine kick you’ll find from the numerous coffee blends and bizarre flavours that Vietnam has to offer.
Coffee aficionados, look no further! If you want good coffee, then look no further than the coffee from Vietnam.
Vietnam’s Coffee Capital
The city Buon Ma Thuot in Dak Lak province is considered Vietnam’s coffee capital in the Dak Lak province, so if you’re visiting Vietnam, it is a good choice to check this place out. It’s got everything from the best beans, and coffee production in the country! Definitely a favourite and one of the best Vietnamese coffees!
Unusual coffee flavours in Vietnam
The best coffee I had was the coconut coffee and the perfect place to start is in one of the major Vietnamese cities. It is absolutely delicious, but Vietnam is known for some pretty whacky coffees! They also have avocado coffee, chocolate coffee, mung bean coffee, and if you fancy trying something a little more unusual, try Durian coffee.
Durian is a fruit that is a little bit like marmite; it divides opinion. Some people say that Durian tastes like sewage, and is banned in many hotels due to the strong rotting like odours it emits, but other people swear by the unusual fruit. It’s worth trying, maybe just once! Read more below for some recipes!
Coffee History in Vietnam
Coffee was actually introduced by the French during colonial times and has now has become an integral part of Vietnamese life and today it has evolved into one of the world’s largest coffee producers and the fame associated with all the different Vietnamese coffees definitely live up to the expectations.
The Central Highlands were known to have fertile grounds and ideal farming conditions, as a result there are now huge coffee plantations, mostly cultivating robusta beans known for their bold and bitter flavour, but they also create a creamier layer at the top of coffee brews – have a read below to learn a little bit more about the best Vietnamese coffee.
Traditional Vietnamese Coffee
The traditional Vietnamese method of coffee preparation is known as “cà phê phin,” and involves using a small drip-filter device called a “phin” to create a single cup of coffee. We didn’t know what to expect, but this is the normal way of serving coffee in Vietnam; go to any restaurant or cafe, and the phin coffee (also known as Vietnamese drip coffee) is what will be served.
We ended up having this every day for breakfast, but bear in mind it can have an exceptionally strong flavour; it might be worth asking for extra hot water if you want to dilute it a bit. If you want to have it the local way, the traditional drip filter coffee is usually served with sweetened condensed milk, creating the famous “cà phê sữa đá” (iced coffee) or “cà phê sữa nóng” (hot coffee). Definitely try this as it is one of the best Vietnamese coffees.
In fact, sweetened condensed milk seems to be added to absolutely everything. If you want a coffee without the sweetness, you usually have to specify this in advance. But the strong coffee flavour is still very apparent! We had pure black coffee every day, definitely one of the best Vietnamese coffees!
The brew is often enjoyed with sweetened condensed milk, creating the famous “cà phê sữa đá” (iced coffee) or “cà phê sữa nóng” (hot coffee). This unique preparation method is very noticeably different to other coffees.
Beyond the taste and aroma, coffee shops play a significant role in Vietnam’s coffee culture. They serve as communal spaces where friends, family, and colleagues gather to socialize, conduct business, or simply unwind. The laid-back atmosphere of these coffee shops is actually very nice; it’s a place to people watch, for groups to hang out, enjoy their coffee, and chat the days away.
Vietnamese coffee culture has also embraced modern trends, with funky, specialty coffee shops that cater to a younger and more urban audience. And frankly, it’s quite nice to see hundreds of locals at the coffee shops lining the streets at night, chatting, laughing and generally having a great time whilst they’re sipping on the Best Vietnamese coffee: drip coffee.
nArabica coffee beans vs Robusta coffee beansn
Coffee beans can be categorised into two primary types: Arabica and Robusta. Apart from being distinct species within the same plant family, their divergence lies in the flavour and characteristics of the beans themselves.
Robusta coffee beans are do have a slightly more bitter taste, but Robusta is popular because of that creamy layer at the top of an espresso shot which the Arabica coffee beans doesn’t have to the same degree. Robusta coffee beans are a bit more robust and have a higher disease resistance making it a preferred choice for farmers and it leads to better yields.
And last (but not least!), Robusta packs a high caffeine content, definitely a higher caffeine content than Arabica coffee beans, adding an extra kick to the brew which is why they’re renowned for some of the Best Vietnamese coffee.
Best Vietnamese Coffee Brands
There are hundreds of coffee brands, whether you’re after mung bean coffee or the famous Vietnamese iced coffee, there’s something for everyone! Take a look at the below coffee products.
Can I buy Vietnamese coffee online?
Yes, absolutely! Whether you’re after instant coffee, ground coffee or coffee pods, there’s something for everyone. Have a look at the best Vietnamese coffee brands:
nTrung Nguyen
Have a look at Trung Nguyen, a popular coffee brand in Vietnam which comes highly rated with hundreds of 5 star reviews, with many recommending it as the Best Vietnamese coffee.
nNguyen coffee
Nguyen coffee supply America direct from Vietnam! They have the gourmet blend of vietnamese beans out there due to their roasting process!
nSaigon Phin Daklak
It’s also worth looking at Saigon Phin Daklak, a super popular coffee originating in Saigon (now known as Ho Chi Minh City). It also has hundreds of 5 star reviews, it’s definitely worth a try and a top contender for best Vietnamese coffee! Just add hot water and bam! You’ll get yourself a kick!
Copper cow coffee
This is a premium Vietnamese pour over coffee brand which enables you to brew speciality coffee that you love at anytime, in any place, the best Vietnamese coffee right at home.
King Coffee
King coffee is a popular choice for Vietnamese locals and tourists alike! It’s a blend of organic Arabica coffee beans and Gandomera Lucidum mushrooms – one of the oldest mushrooms used in ancient traditional Chinese medicine. Definitely an unusual contender for best Vietnamese coffee!
Chestbrew whole bean coffee
Chestbrew whole bean coffee is a speciality for cold brew coffee, and they pride themselves on the coffee bean roasting process. It has a wonderful story behind it too; run by Minh and Teresa. Minh grew coffee with his grandma growing up as a small child, and turned his passion into a business, and is one of the lovely reason why they’re in the top for this list of best Vietnamese coffee.
Vietnam Coffee Republic
Vietnam Coffee Republic is a popular cafe in Vietnam, they also sell their coffee online, it’s worth trying! We drank a tonne of coffee here and it was delightful, and earns a spot on the list for best Vietnamese coffee.
Drip coffee
You should also consider buying a drip coffee called a ‘phin daklak’. It’s incredible and makes it a good contender for the best Vietnamese coffee, and you can control the strength too!
Kopi Luwak, the Weasel coffee
Also known as civet coffee, this one is an interesting one, and there seems to be some debate as to whether it is ethical or not. The Civets, an animal native to Asia, often eat coffee beans and after they have passed through the system are collected and brewed by humans. However, some people are concerned that animals are now being forced to consume high amounts of coffee beans for the consumer trade. Make sure you do your research before purchasing any of this coffee so it is ethically sourced. Not to my taste, but Mike enjoyed it, and many people’s favourite choice for best Vietnamese coffee.
The Famous Egg Coffee
The egg coffee originated in Hanoi during the war when resources were scares, this is my favourite & my personal choice for best Vietnamese coffee. Read a bit more about it in my blog post on the Best Cafes in Hanoi. You might be interested in some of my other Vietnam guides.
One of the most famous drinks in Vietnam is the “egg coffee” or “cà phê trứng” and is one of my favourite vietnamese-style coffees and is one of the best choices if you want to experience true Vietnamese coffee. I personally thought this would be an egg dropped into the coffee, but it is far more sophisticated than I would have imagined. It tastes much more like a creme brulee coffee; it’s a mix of whipped egg yolks and sweetened condensed milk, resulting in an incredibly creamy and decadent coffee.
Vietnamese Coffee recipesn
Egg Coffee:
- Start by brewing a strong cup of Vietnamese-style drip coffee using a Phin filter or a French press.
- In a separate bowl, whisk egg yolks with sugar until the mixture becomes frothy and creamy, like a foam.
- Gradually add condensed milk to the egg mixture while continuing to whisk.
- Pour the brewed coffee into a cup and top it with the frothy egg and condensed milk mixture.
- Gently stir the coffee and egg mixture together, it should taste and feel velvety. Enjoy!n
Coconut Coffee:
- Brew a strong cup of coffee using your preferred coffee brewing method (e.g., pour-over, French press, phin coffee or espresso).
- Add some coconut milk or coconut cream to the brewed coffee; if you don’t want it to be too rich, opt for the coconut milk.
- If you want to do it the true Vietnamese way, add condensed milk.
- Stir well & serve the coconut coffee hot or over ice on a hot day. It’s delicious
Avocado Coffee:
- Prepare a ripe avocado by peeling, pitting, and mashing it into a smooth puree.
- Brew a strong cup of coffee using your preferred method.
- Combine the avocado puree with the brewed coffee and mix thoroughly, it’s best done with a blender.
- Add a sweetener of your choice, in Vietnam they usually use sweetended condensed milk, but you can also add sugar or honey with fresh milk.
- Enjoy!
Mung Bean Coffee:
- Begin by roasting mung beans until they turn golden brown and develop a nutty aroma.
- Grind the roasted mung beans into a fine powder using a coffee grinder or a blender.
- Brew the mung bean powder with hot water, similar to how you would make regular coffee.
- Allow the mung bean coffee to steep for a few minutes, allowing the flavours to infuse.
- Strain the coffee to remove any remaining bean particles.
- Serve the unique and aromatic mung bean coffee, which offers a nutty and slightly sweet flavour.
Durian Coffee:
- Prepare a strong cup of coffee using your preferred method, such as drip brewing or espresso.
- Choose a ripe and pungent durian fruit, then extract the flesh from the seed.
- Blend the durian flesh with the brewed coffee until well combined.
- For a creamier consistency, add a small amount of milk or cream to the mixture.
- Sweeten the durian coffee with sugar or condensed milk if desired.
- Brave the bold and unique taste of durian coffee, which blends the flavours of coffee with the unusual flavours and scents of the “king of fruits.”
Vietnam’s coffee culture is a significant part of the country’s identity and you can’t get a way from it! The durian coffee is certainly interesting, but isn’t my favourite for earning a spot on the best Vietnamese coffee list.
Their rich history, their passion for coffee, coffee plantations, and the funky but laid back coffee shops have made Vietnam a key player worldwide when it comes to the coffee scene and you should absolutely go if you have a chance!
That’s it! I hope you found this guide for best Vietnamese coffee useful 🙂 Let me know how you get on!
You might be interested in some of my other Vietnamese travel guides:
Quick links
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