Best Coffee in Vietnam: 7 Vietnamese Coffees Worth Trying
Vietnam is known for its food, its street life, and places like Ha Long Bay, but coffee isn’t usually something you think much about before going.
It wasn’t something I’d looked into either, and I think that’s the case for most people. But it ended up being a bigger part of the trip than I expected. It’s everywhere, it’s strong, and you end up stopping for it more often than you planned. If you’re wondering what the best coffee in Vietnam actually is, it comes down to a handful of drinks rather than specific places or brands.
Robusta beans, condensed milk, slow-drip filters. It’s stronger, sweeter, and a bit heavier than what most people are used to. Most of the coffee in Vietnam is made with Robusta beans rather than Arabica, which is why it tastes different straight away.
From classic cà phê sữa đá to coconut coffee and the more unusual salt coffee, some are the kind you’ll keep going back to, others you’ll just try once.
This post goes through the Vietnamese coffees worth trying, and what they’re actually like when you order them.
What is the best Coffee in Vietnam?
If you’re looking for the best coffee in Vietnam, you’ll keep coming across the same few drinks once you’re there.
Cà phê sữa đá, the classic iced coffee with condensed milk, is the one you’ll see everywhere and the one most people go back to. You can also have it black as cà phê đen, but it’s much stronger and more bitter without the condensed milk. It’s brewed slowly through a phin filter and can be served hot or poured over ice, depending on how you order it. I tried it black first, hot and on its own, and it was a bit much, so ended up sticking with the milk version.
Egg coffee is the one most people have heard of, and it’s easy to find, especially in Hanoi, where a lot of places claim to have the best version. Even though I usually drink coffee black, it was the one I kept going back to. It’s thick and sweet, so it depends on how you like your coffee.
Coconut coffee is the one you end up ordering in the heat, and salt coffee is the one people tend to remember.
Vietnamese coffee types worth trying
There are a few different coffees you’ll come across in Vietnam, and it’s not your usual menu of flat whites and lattes.
Most places are working with the same base, strong coffee and condensed milk, but what you end up with can be quite different depending on what you order.
Cà phê sữa đá
Strong coffee poured over ice with condensed milk.
It’s sweet, but not in a sugary way, more that it balances out how intense the coffee is. After a couple of days, this is the one you end up ordering without thinking, especially when it’s hot.
You’ll see it everywhere, from small street setups to proper cafés, and it’s usually the safest thing to order if you’re not sure.
Coconut coffee
Blended with coconut milk and ice, it comes out closer to a drinkable dessert than a coffee.
Cold, slightly thick, and the kind of thing you end up ordering in the middle of the day when it’s too hot for anything heavier.
It leans more towards a treat than a daily coffee, so most people end up having it once rather than every day.
Salt coffee
Coffee with a creamy topping and a small amount of salt mixed through it.
It doesn’t taste salty, but it changes the flavour slightly and takes the edge off the sweetness.
It sounds odd at first, but it’s one of the few that people tend to remember afterwards.
Egg coffee
Hot coffee with a thick, whipped topping made from egg yolk and condensed milk.
It’s rich straight away, almost like a warm dessert, and not something you rush. Some people love it, others try it once and don’t go back.
You’ll see it most in Hanoi, where different cafés all claim their version is the best.
Yoghurt coffee
Coffee mixed with yoghurt and condensed milk and usually served cold.
Lighter than egg coffee, with a slight tang to it that cuts through the sweetness.
It’s less common than the others, but easy enough to find if you’re looking for something lighter.
Black phin coffee (cà phê đen)
The same coffee without the condensed milk.
Much stronger and more bitter, and probably closer to what you’d expect from black coffee, just heavier.
This is closer to what you’d expect from a straight black coffee, just with a heavier, more bitter edge.
Bạc xỉu
Mostly milk with a small amount of coffee.
Lighter, sweeter, and easier to drink if you don’t want something too strong.
It’s often ordered by people who don’t really want a strong coffee but still want something with that flavour.
Is Vietnamese coffee actually good?
If you normally drink lighter, more acidic coffee, it can feel quite heavy at first. It’s stronger, more bitter, and usually sweeter because of the condensed milk.
After a few days, you get used to it. The sweetness cuts through the bitterness, and the strength is part of why it holds up better when it’s served over ice, especially in the heat.
Some drinks are closer to dessert than coffee, which won’t be for everyone. The simpler ones are easier to start with.
It’s different, rather than better or worse, but it’s the kind of thing you end up missing once you leave.
What to order based on your taste
If you’re not sure where to start, it usually comes down to how you take your coffee.
If you like it strong and simple, go for cà phê sữa đá or try it black if you’re used to that. Just expect it to be heavier than what you’d normally drink.
If you prefer something sweeter, coconut coffee or egg coffee are the ones you’ll probably end up ordering. Egg coffee is the one most people have heard of, so it’s usually the one people try at least once, especially in Hanoi.
If you don’t like strong coffee at all, bạc xỉu is mostly milk with a bit of coffee, so it’s a much easier place to start.
FAQs about coffee in Vietnam
A few quick answers to things people usually ask about coffee in Vietnam, especially if it’s your first time trying it.
What coffee is Vietnam known for?
Vietnam is best known for its strong Robusta coffee, usually served with condensed milk as cà phê sữa đá. It’s heavier and more intense than the Arabica coffee most people are used to.
Is Vietnamese coffee stronger than regular coffee?
Yes. It’s usually made with Robusta beans, which have more caffeine and a more bitter taste. That’s why it’s often served with condensed milk or over ice.
What coffee is Hanoi famous for?
Hanoi is best known for egg coffee, which is made with whipped egg yolk and condensed milk. It’s rich, sweet, and more like a dessert than a standard coffee.
Which city in Vietnam is best for coffee?
You’ll find good coffee across the country, but Hanoi stands out for traditional styles like egg coffee, while Ho Chi Minh City has more modern cafés and speciality coffee.