Whether poured at a humble streetside stall with tiny stools or a luxury lounge with gilded chandeliers, coffee in Vietnam is a national art form.
No matter if you prefer your brew straight and strong or sweet with a thick layer of coconut cream, consider this your introduction to the wonderfully wide and highly caffeinated world of Vietnamese coffee.
What Makes Vietnamese Coffee Unique
From the first sip, it’s easy to see (and taste) that Vietnamese coffee is unique. This rich cuppa is brewed with beans a bit different from what those in the West are used to savoring. Vietnam is the world’s second-largest coffee producer (after Brazil) and the top exporter of robusta beans, a darker, bolder and more caffeinated cousin to the arabica variety favored stateside. Robusta brings a strong, slightly bitter edge that nicely balances the sweetened condensed milk, one of Vietnamese coffee’s defining ingredients.
Then there’s the phin. A hybrid of a pour-over and a French press, this small metal filter perches on top of your glass, dripping slowly and deliberately, as though reminding you to take a breath and enjoy the process. According to local baristas, if it’s not made with a phin, it’s not Vietnamese coffee. And in a country where coffee shops double as second homes, this slower pace fits just right.
5 Must-Try Vietnamese Coffee Drinks for Every Palate
If you think all coffee drinks taste the same, Vietnam might shake your worldview — and possibly your hands, thanks to those caffeine levels. While there numerous ways to enjoy Vietnamese coffee, these are some of the staples:
Cà phê sữa đá (iced milk coffee/brown coffee): The classic rock star of Vietnamese coffee, this simple concoction consists of strong black coffee over ice, mellowed with sweetened condensed milk. This is the most common way locals sip their morning brew — essentially the equivalent of ordering coffee with cream at your local diner.
Particularly refreshing in Vietnam’s humid climate, this drink is bracing, sweet and all but guaranteed to have you ready to scale a mountain or at least cross a chaotic street.
Cà phê trứng (egg coffee): Born in Hanoi in the 1940s when dairy was scarce, this creamy blend whips egg yolks with sugar and robusta coffee into something that lands between a cappuccino and a liquid tiramisu. It’s not an everyday indulgence, but it’s a must-try when visiting Vietnam.
Cà phê dừa (coconut coffee): If iced coffee met a virgin piña colada, this would be their love child. Blended coconut cream and the obligatory sweetened condensed milk mingle with dark roast in a tropical treat that cools on a humid Saigon morning.
Cà phê đen (black coffee): Not for the faint of heart, this cup is served straight — no milk or sugar, just pure robusta strength that’s best approached with respect and, maybe, a glass of water.
Cà phê muối (salted coffee): This Hue specialty balances bitterness with a light touch of cream and a dash of salt, creating an unexpectedly smooth and almost caramel-like finish.
Honorable mentions: Yogurt coffee, avocado coffee, pandan coffee — the options are nearly endless. Vietnam doesn’t play by typical coffee rules, and you’ll be glad it doesn’t.
Notable Cafes for Sipping
No Vietnamese coffee guide is complete without a stop at Café Giảng in Hanoi — its original owner invented the egg coffee, and his descendants still serve the original recipe here. Tucked down an unassuming alley, this spot has vintage charm and cult status. Grab a seat on the terrace to watch the endless ebb and flow of scooter traffic while sipping your cà phê trứng.
Also in Hanoi, Hidden Gem Coffee lives up to its name with eclectic interiors and a sustainability mission (the entire building is furnished with recycled materials), plus an iced coconut coffee that might just ruin you for all others.
In Saigon, baristas treat beans like fine wine at sleek cafes like The Workshop and XLIII Coffee.
For a deeper dive into Vietnamese coffee culture, take a short drive outside Hanoi’s Old Quarter to Sử Quán Roastery for an informative hands-on workshop complete with plenty of samples.
Stylish Spots to Enjoy a Cup
Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi is a landmark that debuted in 1901. It’s also the birthplace of egg coffee. Bartender Nguyen Van Giang invented it here in 1946 and then left to open his own business, the aforementioned Café Giảng. Try a velvety egg coffee at the Metropole’s Paris-inspired La Terrasse or overlooking the courtyard at Le Club Bar.
At Five-Star Capella Hanoi, theatrical art deco interiors set the stage for sipping cà phê trứng in a lounge that feels straight out of a 1920s opera house. Pair your cup with housemade sweets and enjoy the hushed, curated calm of this Old Quarter retreat.
In Ho Chi Minh City, Four-Star Park Hyatt Saigon blends French colonial elegance with modern comfort. Its lounge offers traditional Vietnamese coffee with silver service — you can even sip your coconut coffee by the pool, if you so choose.
For an ultra-luxe experience, head to Four-Star The Reverie Saigon, where Italian marble and ornate gold accents feel delightfully over-the-top. Visit the hotel’s Café Cardinal for a coffee accompanied by the breakfast buffet or later with desserts like pandan coconut rolls.
How to Bring the Experience Home
Not ready to say goodbye to cà phê sữa đá? Bring it back with you. All you need is a phin filter (it’s lightweight and fits in your carry-on), a bag of Vietnamese robusta beans and a can of sweetened condensed milk.
Robusta-focused brands like Nguyen Coffee Supply (the first U.S.-based Vietnamese coffee importer and roaster) and Trung Nguyen Legend (a Vietnamese coffee giant) make it easy to re-create the experience wherever you typically sip your morning joe.
Pro tip: whip up a DIY coconut coffee by blending your fresh brew with coconut milk, ice and a bit of sweetener. It’s not exactly like what you’d get on a Hanoi sidewalk, but it’s close enough to transport you back for an afternoon.
