If you'd like to learn more about Vietnam's cafés, take a look atPassio Coffee's gallery pageas well.
The appeal of a takeout kingdom
Ho Chi Minh City's mornings begin with a wave of motorbikes. At a small window facing the street, you receive your coffee while still on your bike and head straight to work: the driving force behind such a scene unique to Vietnam is Passio Coffee.
Founded in Ho Chi Minh City in 2006, Passio was born as Vietnam's first takeout-only coffee chain. Founder Doan Dinh Hoang was once at Trung Nguyen Group, Vietnam's largest coffee company. Drawing on his knowledge of the coffee industry, he started the business with the concept of "casual, delicious coffee you can drink every day."
The brand name "Passio" derives from "Passion." As the name suggests, driven by a passion for coffee, it has grown to operate more than 80 stores nationwide today. The pistachio-green sign is its mark, and walking around Ho Chi Minh City you can spot it everywhere.
Passio's biggest feature lies in its takeout culture. In its early days, small window-only stores were the norm, and it wasn't unusual for a store to have no chairs at all. From 2017, stores with eat-in space began to increase, but even now takeout is the mainstay at many stores. It is precisely because of motorbike-society Vietnam that this "takeout kingdom" took root.
Those used to Japanese convenience-store coffee will surely take to this style right away. What's more, Passio's coffee has a reputation for high quality despite local prices. Getting a flavor rivaling a five-star hotel's coffee at a small street-corner window: that is Passio's appeal.
Recommended menu
Passio Coffee's menu ranges widely from Vietnamese coffee staples to Italian style. Here are menu items we'd love travelers to try.
Cà Phê Sữa Đá
The classic of Vietnamese coffee. A cup adding plenty of condensed milk to rich Robusta coffee and cooling it with ice. At Passio you can enjoy it for 25,000 to 35,000 VND (about 150 to 210 yen). The exquisite balance of sweetness and bitterness is perfect for Vietnam's hot climate.
Cappuccino
Passio's cappuccino is popular for its smooth texture and beautiful foam art. The price is 35,000 to 45,000 VND (about 210 to 270 yen). For less than half the price of a cappuccino at a Japanese café chain, you can taste an authentic cup.
Passio Choco Chantilly
An original Passio sweet drink irresistible to chocolate lovers. Layers of chocolate stack up again and again, letting you enjoy a luxurious flavor. It's around 39,000 to 49,000 VND (about 230 to 290 yen).
Yogurt smoothie
For those who aren't fond of coffee, a yogurt-based smoothie is recommended. It has a rich menu using tropical fruits such as mango and passion fruit. At 30,000 to 45,000 VND (about 180 to 270 yen), it's perfect for beating the heat.
Italian panini
Not just drinks; the food menu is not to be missed either. Freshly grilled Italian panini start from 39,000 VND (about 230 yen). As a light meal for breakfast or lunch, it pairs superbly with coffee too.
A local experience on the way to work
The most unique experience at Passio Coffee is visiting during the morning commuter rush. From around 7 to 8:30 a.m., Passio stores near major intersections in Ho Chi Minh City see Vietnamese businesspeople on motorbikes drop by one after another.
From order to pickup takes just 1 to 2 minutes. Staff make the coffee deftly, put it in a plastic bag, and hand it over. The person who receives it hangs the bag on the motorbike handle and rides off: this very scene is the real everyday life of Vietnam.
If tourists want to enjoy this experience, stores around Nguyen Hue Street or Le Loi Street in the morning are recommended. At a sidewalk-facing window-style store, try getting takeout mingling with the locals. For just around 30,000 VND, you can get a "real Vietnam experience" not found in tourist guidebooks.
Passio also offers a smartphone app, and you can use advance ordering and a points system. The app can be downloaded from the App Store, and registering is convenient if you'll use it many times during your trip.
At stores with eat-in space, you can also spend time slowly in an air-conditioned interior. Since Wi-Fi is fully provided, you can use it as a rest spot between sightseeing. That said, Passio's essence is ultimately takeout. We recommend trying it local-style at least once, strolling the city with a coffee in hand while walking.
Practical guide
How to find a store
The pistachio-green sign is the mark. Searching "Passio Coffee" on Google Maps quickly finds nearby stores. Since there are dozens of stores in Ho Chi Minh City alone, you'll almost certainly find one within walking distance in tourist areas.
Budget guide
A drink runs 25,000 to 55,000 VND (about 150 to 330 yen). Even including food, it usually stays within 100,000 VND (about 600 yen). Alongside cash, more stores now accept electronic payments such as MoMo.
Ordering tips
The menu has both Vietnamese and English. Ordering by pointing is no problem. Sizes are basically the three of S, M, and L. For sweetness adjustment, saying "it duong (less sugar)" will get you accommodated.
Hours
Many stores are open from around 6:30 to 7 a.m. until around 10 p.m. Since they open from early morning, they're perfect for grabbing coffee before your first sightseeing of the day.
Recommended timing to visit
If you prioritize a local experience, weekday mornings from 7 to 8 a.m. If you want a relaxed stay, the relatively empty hours of 2 to 4 p.m. in the afternoon are recommended.
Summary
Passio Coffee is a café chain that symbolizes Vietnam's takeout coffee culture. It lacks the refined space of a high-end café, but as a place for a real coffee experience woven into local everyday life, it can be strongly recommended to travelers too.
The ease of enjoying it from around 150 yen a cup, the takeout style united with motorbike culture, and above all the sure quality that keeps Vietnamese people coming every morning. Passio is a precious spot where you can experience "everyday Vietnam," a little different from the famous cafés in guidebooks. When you visit Ho Chi Minh City, do drop by a Passio window during the morning commute and experience Vietnamese-style coffee life.
🗺️ For Passio Coffee's basic information, signature menu, map, and reviews, seeShop guide (card)where we've put it all together.
🗺️ If you also want to compare it with other cafés,Vietnam's 30 Popular Cafés: A Thorough Comparison Guidelets you browse from a single list.
