The best Vietnamese coffee includes poured coffee, salted coffee, black coffee, bạc xỉu coffee, mint coffee, mango coffee, cold beer coffee, and more. Vietnam is a beautiful country with a coffee plantation area of 710,000 hectares. As a result, coffee has become a traditional drink and a habit for the Vietnamese, and many foreign tourists go “crazy” when trying it.
1. What is Vietnamese coffee? History of Vietnamese coffee
1.1. What is Vietnamese coffee?
Vietnamese coffee culture is distinctive compared to other countries in the world. In Vietnam, coffee is often roasted slowly over 15 minutes at low temperatures, resulting in a rich and sharp flavor. In contrast, many other countries roast coffee using machines, with faster processes and less emphasis on precision. The brewing method in Vietnam is also unique: instead of using automatic machines, the Vietnamese still prefer brewing coffee with a phin (Vietnamese coffee filter). This method allows the coffee to drip slowly, extracting the essence of the coffee beans, preserving more flavor, and providing a rich, authentic experience—this is the traditional phin brewing style.
Historically, after a working day, the Vietnamese would enjoy a cup of cà phê nâu (coffee with condensed milk) or cà phê đen (black coffee). During the winter in the North, hot cà phê nâu or hot cà phê đen are the best Vietnamese coffee. However, iced black coffee and especially iced cà phê nâu are the most popular choices throughout the year. When the French introduced coffee to Vietnam at the end of the 19th century, fresh milk was scarce, so condensed milk began to replace it. Condensed milk mixed with dark-roasted coffee created a distinctive flavor, and since then, cà phê nâu become an indispensable traditional drink for the Vietnamese.
1.2. History of Vietnamese coffee
The first coffee plantation in Vietnam was established by the French near Kẻ Sở, Bắc Kỳ in 1888, planting the Arabica coffee variety (coffee chè) along riverbanks. Coffee cultivation then spread to areas like Phủ Lý, Ninh Bình, Thanh Hóa, Nghệ An, Kon Tum, and Di Linh. By 1937-1938, the total area of coffee plantations nationwide reached 13,000 hectares, with a production of 1,500 tons. Today, Vietnam grows three main types of coffee: Arabica, Robusta, and Liberica coffee.
Not only is Vietnam one of the world’s top coffee exporters, but it also has a large coffee market with a wide variety of products, from roasted coffee, instant coffee, phin brewed coffee, to machine-made coffee. Coffee chains and small cafes are everywhere, showing that coffee has become an essential part of the lives of people. However, few truly understand the different types of coffee beans—the world of coffee is rich and diverse with many different beans.
Vietnam is currently the second-largest coffee exporter in the world, with an annual output of nearly 1.65 million tons and many of the best Vietnamese coffees. Although the war disrupted coffee production, after 1975, the coffee industry quickly recovered and developed, from 6,000 tons to nearly 2 million tons by 2016, making Vietnam one of the largest coffee exporters globally.
Robusta coffee (coffee vối) dominates, being the most popular coffee variety in Vietnam and worldwide due to its low cost and ease of cultivation. Robusta beans have twice the caffeine content of Arabica, offering a distinct bitterness. Vietnam is the largest producer of Robusta coffee in the world, accounting for over 40% of global production in the 2019-2020 season.
Robusta is not only suitable for the climate and soil conditions of Tây Nguyên—where the basalt-rich, nutrient-dense land at altitudes of 800-1000 meters above sea level—but also has a large yield, accounting for up to 90% of the nation’s total coffee production.
2. Best Vietnam coffee types you must drink
2.1. Iced Black Coffee or Iced Coffee with Condensed Milk (Cà phê đen đá hoặc nâu đá): The most popular coffee beverage.
Iced black coffee or iced coffee with condensed milk is one of the best Vietnamese coffee types. Vietnamese people enjoy this simple drink every day to get refreshed in the morning or before doing a physically demanding task.
While black coffee in other countries may be quite bland, in Vietnam, it has a deep and intense flavor that may even cause sleeplessness for some travelers who drink too much. If you visit Vietnam, don’t miss the chance to enjoy iced cà phê nâu or iced cà phê đen while reading the news or listening to music.
2.2. Bạc Xỉu Coffee: A choice for Vietnamese young men.
Although cà phê bạc xỉu was introduced to Ho Chi Minh City by Chinese people in the 1950s, it has been modified to suit Vietnamese culture better. They brew it with more milk than the original version.
Read more: Top 40+ traditional Vietnamese dishes you must try
2.3. Egg Coffee (Cà phê trứng): A must-try when in Vietnam.
Since the 1950s, egg coffee has been popular in Hanoi and is considered one of the best Vietnamese coffee types. The ingredients include fresh eggs, milk, coffee, and sugar. You can enjoy it hot or cold, depending on your personal preference. However, I recommend trying it hot on a cool autumn or winter day in northern Vietnam. It’s perfect for drinking with friends, a lover, or even strangers you meet on the street.
2.4. Coconut Coffee: A rich, creamy coffee experience.
Coconut coffee is another delicious Vietnamese coffee that blends the bitterness of coffee with the creamy sweetness of coconut milk, combined with crushed ice. It’s a perfect refreshing drink for hot summer days, but you can also enjoy it in winter if you don’t mind the cold.
2.5. Nitro cold brew coffee
Nitro cold brew coffee doesn’t involve combining coffee with beer but refers to a special brewing technique. The coffee is brewed with intense caffeine flavors that awaken your senses. Coffee connoisseurs will love this one.
2.6. Poured Coffee (Cà phê rót)
Poured coffee uses a manual brewing method, where hot water is slowly poured over ground coffee, and is considered one of the best Vietnamese coffee types. This allows the full flavor of the coffee to be extracted, giving you a refined and aromatic cup of coffee, preserving the natural essence of the beans.
2.7. Salted Coffee (Cà phê muối)
Salted coffee is made with coffee, fermented fresh milk, and salt. Originating from Hue, a city in Vietnam, this coffee offers a unique salty, creamy flavor that is quite unusual. In recent years, it has become a viral trend among young Vietnamese people.
2.8. Fruit Coffee (Cà phê hoa quả)
Fruit coffee combines coffee with fruit and vegetable extracts such as mango, mint, strawberry, watermelon, passion fruit, banana, grape, and apple. Because Vietnam has an abundance of fresh and delicious fruits available all year round, locals often create special drinks to take advantage of this fresh produce.
3. Where to find the best Vietnamese coffee types?
Here are some places where you can find and enjoy the best Vietnamese coffee, tailored to different preferences:
3.1. Street-side Sitting Cafes
You can find the best Vietnamese coffee at street-side cafes. These cafes are often deeply immersed in Vietnamese coffee culture, offering a simple and comfortable atmosphere where you can enjoy the best coffee at an affordable price. These cafes provide an intimate experience, perfect for those who want to immerse themselves in local life.
Some recommendations:
- Cà phê Đỗ Quyên (Hanoi): Famous for its black and iced coffee, it is a popular spot for office workers and locals.
- Cà phê Bệt (Ho Chi Minh City): Street-side cafes along streets like Nguyễn Văn Trỗi, Phan Đình Phùng, where you can sit on the sidewalk and enjoy iced black or iced coffee with condensed milk.
3.3. Takeaway Coffee Stalls
Takeaway coffee is an essential part of the Vietnamese coffee-drinking routine, especially in large cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and is considered one of the best Vietnamese coffee types. These coffee cups are often served in plastic or paper cups, convenient for drinking on the go, whether you’re commuting or working. You can find these stalls run by small local vendors.
3.4. Specialty Coffee Shops (Not Tea)
Specialty coffee shops that focus solely on coffee (without tea) usually offer a peaceful atmosphere and serve a variety of coffees, from traditional phin coffee to machine-made coffee and special varieties. These cafes provide a refined coffee experience, perfect for coffee enthusiasts.
Some notable cafes:
- The Coffee House (Nationwide): Famous for high-quality coffee, including machine-made and cold brews, ideal for coffee lovers.
- Cà phê 7 Grams (Ho Chi Minh City): A premium coffee shop specializing in both phin coffee and machine-made coffee, renowned for freshly roasted beans.
- Trung Nguyên Legend (Nationwide): Known for its freshly ground coffee beans, Trung Nguyên offers premium coffee varieties, especially Robusta and Arabica.
These locations will provide you with rich, authentic Vietnamese coffee, allowing you to savor the full flavor of Vietnam’s coffee culture in various settings, from simple to luxurious.
Conclusion
The best Vietnamese coffee includes iced black coffee, iced coffee with condensed milk, bạc xỉu, poured coffee, cold beer coffee, fruit-infused coffee, and salted coffee. Coffee has become an indispensable daily drink for the Vietnamese people. Whether visiting Vietnam or living here, you can enjoy a variety of uniquely delicious coffee.
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