When you think of Vietnam, visions of bustling markets, lush rice terraces and breathtaking coastlines may come to mind. But there is another living experience that you cannot forget: vietnamese coffeeIt’s not just a drink vietnam – It’s a way of life and a delicious adventure is waiting for you around every corner. Whether you’re a coffee lover who has a complete setup at home or someone who loves visiting Insta-worthy cafes for a cup, Vietnam and its coffee traditions will definitely leave you spellbound. From e-coffee kiosks along highways to quirky cute cafes steeped in the taste and aroma of local markets coffee beans – the drink is synonymous with the country.
Here’s a quick look at several coffees you can try on your trip:
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Local markets in Vietnam – e.g. ho chi minh city‘S Ban Thanh Market – Vendors selling a variety of coffee beans – from the Insta-famous Weasel Coffee (the berries are eaten by civets, partially digested and excreted; the beans are then cleaned and roasted) Ranging from flavors like coconut, hazelnut and vanilla. The sheer variety can take a toll on performance. To make things easier, find a stall run by an English-speaking, friendly local – this is no easy task – and ask them for recommendations. We found one at stall no. 823 who told us the pros and cons of different coffees, finally told us his favorite – simply called Vietnamese Special, it was 100% robusta, with no added flavors and had low acidity. And it’s quite strong, they told us. Seeing us still unsure, he offered to make some for us – in a shabby aluminum fin (a traditional coffee filter) – with a little condensed milk. One sip and we were instantly converted.
Traditional coffee is made using fins (filters) (Photo: Song)
If you don’t have a coffee grinder at home, you can buy the beans or ask them to grind it for you. The packets are well sealed for your return journey home.
Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City is great for buying coffee beans
how to make it:
The best way to make it is the traditional drip way – into a fin. You can buy the basic aluminum type or the luxurious ceramic ones at any local market. The good old South Indian coffee filter works too. Whether you want hot coffee or the famous Vietnamese cold coffee (aka cà phê sữa dá), it tastes amazing. Simply add some condensed milk to coffee (and add ice if you like it cold) and sip.
This unique drink was born out of necessity and has become a beloved specialty. During the 1940s when the country was suffering from a milk shortage, a bartender at Hanoi’s famous five-star Sofitel Legend Metropole hotel came up with an ingenious plan to make creamy cappucino without milk. He mixed egg yolks with condensed milk to create a thick, foamy mixture and a legend was born.
Traditional egg coffee (Photo: Hanoi Coffee Culture)
how to make it:
The bartender at Hanoi Café did a quick demonstration to show how you can make this delicious drink at home. Mix one egg yolk, one teaspoon caramel, and a pinch of honey and condensed milk. Beat it until the mixture becomes thick and creamy. Pour hot black coffee – use the powerful robusta variety for best results – pour the creamy egg mixture over it, sprinkle a little chocolate powder on top.
This delicious tropical delight borders on dessert territory. This cool blend combines the strong, dark notes of coffee with the sweet, creamy texture of coconut, creating a unique drink that’s perfect for hot days. The natural sweetness of coconut milk complements the bitterness of Vietnamese coffee and reminds you of a slushie. This is a great option if you don’t like very strong coffee. You can find this drink in almost every café in the country and in some places you can even get a cup of hot coconut coffee, especially during winter.
delicious coconut coffee
how to make it:
Coffee consists of Vietnamese drip coffee, coconut milk and ice, sometimes mixed with sweetened condensed milk to add additional creaminess and sweetness. Make a cup of strong Vietnamese coffee using a fin filter. In a blender, combine the coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk and a handful of ice cubes. Blend until smooth and creamy. Pour the blended coconut mixture into a glass, then slowly pour the coffee over the top. Stir to combine layers and garnish with shredded coconut.
Salted Coffee or Caffè Mui
A unique blend of sweet, salty and bitter, salted coffee may seem unconventional, but it has quickly become a favorite among both locals and tourists. Legend has it that a café owner in Hue accidentally created this delicious drink while experimenting with flavors. The idea of adding salt to coffee stems from a simple culinary principle: Salt enhances flavor. In this case, it balances the bitterness of the strong Vietnamese coffee while enhancing the sweetness of the condensed milk.
how to make it:
This super easy drink just requires adding a pinch of salt to your cup. To make it the Vietnamese way, pour sweetened condensed milk into a cup, add a pinch of salt until it is completely dissolved. Then, pour the ground coffee over the mixture. Stir well to combine, and if you like it cold, add ice cubes.
Did you know these fun facts about Vietnamese coffee?
- Whether cold or hot coffee, Vietnamese people like to drink a little condensed milk with it.
- Most of the coffee we have in India and the West is either Arabica or a blend of Arabica and Robusta. Arabica is more popular globally because it is smoother and has lower caffeine content. In Vietnam, robusta is the preferred type (unless the café is serving tourists), which is stronger and less acidic. When French colonists brought coffee to Vietnam, the Arabica variety was not adapted to the local climate. Later, when the robusta variety was introduced, it flourished.
- The local coffee culture in Vietnam is so strong that chains like Starbucks and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf have not been able to gain a foothold in the country. Most of these chains serve Arabica coffee, which locals do not find strong enough. Another reason is that coffee is not a luxury in Vietnam, with roadside vendors selling coffee on every corner. According to Euromonitor International, Starbucks will have just a 2% share of Vietnam’s $1.2bn (£934m) coffee-drinking market in 2022. Chinese-owned Mellow Coffee recently announced it was closing its doors after four years, while Australia’s Gloria Jeans left Vietnam in 2017, according to a BBC report.
- Vietnam is the world’s second largest exporter of wine and 97% of the coffee consumed by Vietnam is of the robusta variety.
- Unlike India, good coffee is quite cheap in Vietnam. Even chains like Highland and Fuc Long have affordable prices.
How to plan your trip to Vietnam
Vietnam Airlines has regular flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, featuring comfortable seats, ample leg space and delicious food. Both cities are wonderful for exploring the country’s coffee culture and feature prominently in most Travel Itinerary If you like your coffee mixed with history, organized chaos and old-world charm, visit Hanoi first. If a cosmopolitan café atmosphere is more your thing, then Ho Chi Minh City is the place to be. Getting an e-Visa is very easy and you can fill it online in minutes. The visa will arrive in your inbox in about three days.
In Vietnam, the coffee experience depends not only on where you drink it, but also on what’s in your cup. Most streets have many small cafes with small plastic chairs and tables, usually set up on the sidewalk. These modest settings are where you can spend hours people watching, chatting with friends, or even making new friends. Once you’re done exploring this beautiful, vibrant country, make sure you buy a bag full of that strong cheese robusta coffee For yourself and everyone you know.
