Are you a coffee lover searching for the best coffee in Vietnam? Look no further! Vietnam is not only known for its rich culture and history, but it’s also a paradise for coffee enthusiasts. In this article, I will guide you through the best coffee in Vietnamese coffee and best coffee shops in Vietnam.
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The Culture of Vietnamese Coffee
If you ever find yourself wandering the bustling streets of Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll quickly notice that aside from street food and banh mi, coffee shops are a staple of Vietnamese culture. The unique brewing methods, distinct flavors, and vibrant atmosphere come together to create a memorable experience.
One of the most popular ways to enjoy coffee in Vietnam is by using a metal filter called a “phin.” The traditional Vietnamese phin produces a rich, bold, and concentrated coffee. Locals often pair this with sweetened condensed milk, making for an indulgent treat known as “cà phê sữa đá”.
In Vietnam, coffee is consumed throughout the day. You’ll find locals sipping their morning coffee at sidewalk cafes. As the day goes on, coffee shops transform into social hubs where friends gather to chat, work, or simply unwind. In the evening, the coffee culture takes on a more relaxed vibe, with people enjoying leisurely conversations over their favorite brews or just hanging out watching videos on their phones.
Coffee Production Regions in Vietnam
Vietnam is the world’s second-largest coffee producer with robusta accounting for 95% of production and arabica accounting for the remaining 5%. There are various coffee production regions with diverse flavors and aromas of Vietnamese coffee. In this section, I’ll cover the main coffee-producing regions in Vietnam.
Central Highlands: The Central Highlands is the largest coffee-producing region in Vietnam, and it’s where the majority of the country’s Robusta coffee is grown. The main 5 provinces that produce coffee in this region are: Dak Lak, Gia Lai, Dak Nong, Lam Dong and Kontum. The high altitudes and volcanic soil create ideal conditions for cultivating Robusta coffee. When you try a cup from this area, you’ll be struck by the strong, earthy taste with a hint of cocoa.
Lam Dong: Another prominent coffee region in Vietnam is Lam Dong province, located within the Central Highlands. In addition to Robusta, Lam Dong is well-known for its Arabica coffee, with the picturesque town of Da Lat as its focal point. While exploring Lam Dong’s coffee farms, you’ll get to indulge in a smoother, more delicate cup of Arabica coffee, compared to the robust flavors of Robusta.
Son La: Son La province in the northwest is gaining a reputation for its high-quality Arabica coffee, thanks to the high-altitude mountains and varied climate. If you find yourself in Son La, you’ll notice the fruity and floral flavors combined with a mild acidity in the coffee, giving it a distinctively refreshing taste.
Unique Flavors of Vietnamese Coffee
When you take a sip of Vietnamese coffee, the first taste that hits your palate is the strong and bold dark coffee. This robust flavor comes from the use of dark-roasted, specially blended beans. These beans retain their oils and are finely ground, giving the coffee its distinct richness.
The next key component of Vietnamese coffee is the sweetened condensed milk, which adds a delightful contrast to the dark coffee. The condensed milk not only adds a creamy texture but also gives the coffee a sweet and smooth finish.
Best Coffee in Vietnam: By Location
In this section, I’ll share some of my favorite coffee shops with the best coffee in Vietnam. They’re mainly small batch specialty cafes where you can get some of the best coffee beans in Vietnam as well. I’d highly recommend getting those as a souvenir or gifts versus the big brands that you’ll see in grocery stores locally and internationally such as Trung Nguyen or G7.
Ho Chi Minh City
Okkio Caffe
This is a small local cafe chain with 4 locations across District 1, District 2, and District 3. Each cafe is designed thoughtfully with a mix of retro and modern touches.
If you’re around Ben Thanh market and want to stop for a coffee break, you should definitely check out their location at 120-122 Duong Le Loi. It’s their smallest location but the coziest one with views of the busy streets around Ben Thanh market.
Souvenir idea: Buy a bag of their coffee beans! Check for the ones made in Vietnamese regions if you want a strong Vietnamese coffee to bring back home for yourself or friends.
Lacàph Coffee Experiences Bar
Lacaph is located in a hidden shopping area by Nguyen Hue walking street (there’s also an Okkio location here too). It’s a cozy cafe in a shared space with a high-end barber shop and cocktail bar. The baristas are super friendly and can walk you through their different beans and brewing methods.
Souvenir idea: They sell a cute Vietnamese coffee set that consists of a nice-looking “phin”, beans, and a tote bag.
96B cafe & roastery
This cafe is tucked in a small alley in District 3. They offer a range of coffee workshops if you want to do a coffee-related activity in the city so you can learn more about Vietnamese coffee.
Inside is modern with a second floor with plenty of tables if you need to unwind or get a few tasks done on your laptop. The service is impeccable with the baristas letting you smell the freshly ground beans before they brew it.
Hanoi
Kafeville
Kafeville, like many other specialty coffee shops, personally sources coffee beans from various countries and locally across Vietnam which they then roast themselves. They offer a range of coffees including espresso, pour overs, drip, and more. Inside, it’s a relaxing atmosphere with a few shelves of books in English and Vietnamese, war-era paintings, and vinyl records.
Blackbird Coffee
Blackbird Coffee is a small local coffee chain with 3 locations in the Old Quarter in Hanoi. Each location has 2 floors with a balcony to sit outside and enjoy a coffee while looking at the view of the streets. Their cafes are quite popular on the weekends, so I would recommend going early if you want to snag a seat on the balcony. They also serve the local specialty egg coffee (ca phe trung).
Special mention: Cafe Giang
Vietnamese egg coffee originates from Hanoi, specifically from Cafe Giang. Although it’s quite touristy, it’s nice to check out what the original egg coffee tastes like so you have a baseline to compare to if you try it at other cafes in Vietnam.
Dalat
La Viet Coffee
La Viet Coffee is one of the best Vietnamese coffee brands that focuses on small batch production. Their beans are readily available at many other cafes and grocery stores. This location in Dalat is adjacent to their coffee factory where you can visit for a tour.
It’s a large space that is extremely popular so definitely try to drop by if you can! They have a big area where they sell a range of coffee and coffee-related items that would make the perfect souvenir.
Sơn Pacamara Roastery & Coffee Shop
This is another specialty, farm-to-table coffee company where you can go on a coffee farm tour and visit the shop. The owner and the baristas are very passionate about coffee and offer visitors more information about the beans and brewing methods. The cafe has a modern industrial vibe with big windows and many plants.
Special mention: Horizon Coffee
I had to include a coffee shop in Dalat that has a beautiful view, although the coffee and drinks here are nothing to write home about. I’d recommend going when the sun is about to set so you can get the best view of the scenery.
Da Nang and Hoi An
XLIII Specialty Coffee
This specialty coffee brand, formerly stylized as 43 Factory Coffee Roaster, is a small chain with locations in Da Nang, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City. They focus on coffee practices that are sustainable, ethical, and responsible.
At the flagship location in Da Nang, the interior is minimalist and modern with big windows and outside features a couple of Koi fish ponds. Each customer is given a coffee detail sheet which provides an understanding of their coffee beans, why it’s unique, and the special taste profiles of their beans.
At their newest location in Hoi An, the focus remains the same: high quality coffee paired with top notch service. The interior of this cafe is all black and white with plenty of room to sit and relax with your cup of coffee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which coffee brand is best in Vietnam?
This really depends on what your coffee preference is. I would highly recommend going to any of the cafes mentioned on this list to see what coffee beans they have available for sale and ask the baristas for more information. I find that the baristas (especially at Okkio, Lacaph, XLIII Specialty Coffee, La Viet Coffee, and 96B cafe & roastery) are more than happy to provide more education on their beans.
What is the most popular coffee in Vietnam?
“Cà phê đen đá”, Vietnamese iced black coffee, is the most popular type of coffee in Vietnam.
