History of Vietnamese Coffee

Coffee didn’t originate in Vietnam. Its journey began in Ethiopia, where legend says a man noticed his goat acting unusually energetic after eating coffee cherries. From there, it spread to Yemen and across the world.

Coffee arrived in Vietnam in 1857 during French colonization. At first, it was mostly for French colonists and export markets, not locals. Today, Vietnam produces 2 million bags of coffee a year, making it the world’s second-largest coffee exporter, with 60% Arabica and 40% Robusta.

💡 Did you know? Vietnam has 400,000 single coffee farms, and coffee accounts for about 10% of the country’s revenue, after seafood, dried fruits, and rice.

Vietnamese Coffee Culture 

Vietnamese coffee is about much more than caffeine. It’s a ritual, a flavor experience, and a cultural tradition. Brewing with a phin, a small metal drip filter, lets you control every aspect of the cup. Blending Arabica for purity and Robusta for body creates a rich, full-bodied flavor. Some local variations even add a touch of oil or spirits for texture.

Coffee Classes in Vietnam

During my hands-on coffee-making class in Ho Chi Minh City, I learned so many fascinating things about Vietnamese coffee. I booked my class through Airbnb Experiences. However, if you want other options, you can also find great coffee-making workshops on GetYourGuide, Klook, or Viator.

Did you know most Vietnamese are lactose intolerant? In the North, egg coffee was invented as a creamy alternative for those who could not digest milk, while in the South, sweetened condensed milk became the signature touch. Condensed milk, originally from America, gained popularity during wartime because it lasted longer and was easier to use than fresh milk. Brands like Eagle Brand were well-known, and over time, Vietnamese versions added more sugar, creating a sweetened creamer rather than true condensed milk. Just a small amount adds a rich, flavorful punch that sugar alone can’t match.

My first taste of egg coffee was at the famous Café Giang in Hanoi, where the drink was first invented. It came in a small cup with a thick, frothy top, set on a saucer of warm water to keep the coffee hot and maintain the creamy foam. The first sip of the original flavor was luscious, and I remember thinking, “Oooohwwee, yummy!” It was rich, sweet, and creamy, almost like a custard dessert. I also tried the chocolate version, which was smoother and tasted like a decadent hot chocolate. While both were delicious, the original remains my favorite for its bold, sweet, and creamy layers of flavor.

In class, we made a salted coffee that was strong, slightly savory, and surprisingly delightful. Drinking it through a straw made it lighter on the palate, revealing unexpected layers of flavor. Coconut coffee is another local favorite, which is icy, bold, and refreshingly sweet, perfect for a warm day.

Coffee Ingredients 

For our class, we used Robusta and Arabica beans, sugar, Himalayan salt, coconut cream, egg, and sweetened condensed milk.

Salted Vietnamese Coffee

Vietnamese coffee is deeply social. Locals sit on tiny chairs for hours, sipping, chatting, and watching the world go by. It has become my favorite pastime. With so many beautifully decorated cafes, you will never run out of places to explore.

Coffee Talk Confessions

I’m completely addicted to Vietnamese coffee and have become a bit of a coffee snob. No other coffee compares except for exceptional beans from Brazil, Costa Rica, and Ethiopia. While I adore Vietnamese coffee, the sweetness of condensed milk means I’ve had to reduce my intake. My dental checkups went from every six months to every three months. Now I sip mindfully, enjoying the experience without overdoing it, savoring each cup as the perfect balance of flavor, tradition, and ritual.

Sippin’ Cream Cheese Iced Coffee

Discover Vietnamese Coffee 

To truly enjoy Vietnamese coffee, take the time to sit at a street cafe, sip slowly, and watch life go by. Try a sweetened cup in the South, sample egg coffee in the North, and notice how flavors in the Central region are stronger and slightly salty, influenced by the coastal diet. Visiting a hands-on class or workshop is an enlightening experience, and sampling blends of Arabica and Robusta, or even coffee with a touch of whisky or rum, gives you the full spectrum of flavors.

Don’t sleep on the local coffee carts. Some of the best Vietnamese coffee comes from these tiny stands, and it’s only 12,000–15,000 VND — about 46–57 cents!

Here are a few popular Vietnamese coffee styles to try when you visit:

1. Cà Phê Sữa Đá – Iced coffee with sweetened condensed milk, classic Southern style.
2. Cà Phê Trứng (Egg Coffee) – Creamy egg yolk, sugar, and coffee whipped into a rich topping, a Hanoi specialty.
3. Cà Phê Đen Đá – Black iced coffee, bold and strong, perfect for a caffeine boost.
4. Bạc Xỉu – A sweeter, milk-heavy coffee, often served in the South, lighter than traditional cà phê sữa đá.

💡 Did you know? Street vendors and coffee carts are a huge part of Vietnamese daily life, and many locals get their favorite coffee from the same cart for years.

Even if you’re not in Vietnam, you can still enjoy my favorite Vietnamese coffee at home. I’ve put together a list of my top picks, from Trung Nguyen Legend coffee to phin filter kits, in my Amazon Storefront. Check it out here:Vietnam Coffee Shop Favorites!

Trung Nguyen Legend is one of my favorite coffee shops in Da Nang, Vietnam. I even use their instant coffee when I’m relaxing at home. Watch this video for my favorite instant flavor.

My office at Trung Nguyen Legend Coffee

💡 Did you know? The majority of Vietnamese coffee shops don’t serve food. They exist purely for coffee, making the drink and the ritual the star of the experience.

Vietnamese coffee is more than just a drink. It’s a story, a ritual, and a way of life. Every sip of coffee is a journey. From the bustling streets of to small coffee carts tucked into alleys, every cup tells a piece of Vietnam’s history and culture. Sipping slowly, watching the world go by, and discovering flavors like egg coffee, coconut coffee, or salted coffee, you begin to understand why it is so beloved.

Whether you explore a hands-on class, a local street cafe, or a beautifully decorated cafe, Vietnamese coffee invites you to slow down, savor the moment, and connect with the people and places around you. Next time you take a sip, remember: you’re tasting centuries of tradition, creativity, and passion, all in one cup.

Have you tried Vietnamese coffee before? I’d love to hear which style is your favorite.

Bring the taste of Vietnam home: Holiday Gift Guide + Coffee Favorites!

Stay tuned for exciting news coming next week, something I’ve been working on for anyone dreaming of moving abroad!

Move Abroad Strategy Session 

• Uncover your “move abroad number” and learn exactly how to calculate the cost of your move so you know what’s possible and when you can confidently take the leap
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• Answer your questions about logistics, culture, and planning strategies

Most sessions run about 90 minutes to ensure we cover your goals thoroughly. By the end, you’ll walk away with a clear roadmap to move forward. And if you’re ready, we can also explore a longer-term program to fully design and execute your move abroad.

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