Vietnam, a country any coffee lover will want to visit at least once.
Known as one of the world’s leading coffee producers, this country has the aroma of coffee drifting on every street corner. Nurtured through a history reaching back to French colonial times, Vietnamese coffee has developed in its own way, centered on rich, fragrant Robusta.
The defining feature of Vietnam’s coffee culture is the brewing method using the country’s own tool, the phin. Every drop slowly extracted through this aluminum dripper gives rise to a deep flavor. Combined with sweet condensed milk, the distinctive taste is complete.
Walk through town and you may encounter Vietnam’s own unique variations, such as egg coffee and coconut coffee. These go beyond mere drinks — they are a culture woven into local daily life.
So let us introduce the finest places to enjoy that Vietnamese coffee at its best, from the perspective of our writer based in Vietnam.
Five renowned coffee shops to visit in Hanoi
ベトナムの首都ハノイには、歴史ある名店から革新的な新店まで、さまざまなコーヒーショップが軒を連ねています。
First on the list is Cafe Giang Phu (Café Giảng). A long-established shop founded in 1946, it is known as the birthplace of Vietnam’s specialty, egg coffee. Marked by its creamy topping of whipped egg yolk and condensed milk, it has a flavor you can’t forget once you’ve tried it.
Cà Phê Phố Cổ, set a little away from the bustle of the Old Quarter, is also worth a visit. The interior, remodeled from an old house, has a nostalgic feel where you can spend a relaxed time among the locals.
If you care about coffee quality, we recommend The Coffee House (The Coffee House）. Using beans hand-picked from across Vietnam, it serves a cup that fuses traditional brewing with modern technique.
And Cafe Dinh (Café Đinh) is one of Hanoi’s oldest cafés. The rich coffee served in a small space on the second floor has been loved by many cultural figures and artists.
How about it? Can you sense the depth of Hanoi’s café culture?
Five popular coffee shops in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City, the great metropolis of the south, has a traditional coffee culture alive within its modern atmosphere.
まず訪れたいのが「カフェ・アパートメント（Café Apartment）」。アパートの各部屋がカフェに改装された独特のスポットで、さまざまなスタイルのコーヒーショップが集まっています。この建物に入れば、エッグコーヒーやココナッツコーヒーなどベトナム特有のバリエーションを楽しめます。
Cong Caphe (Cộng Cà Phê) is distinctive for its military-themed décor. In a nostalgic space evoking the Vietnam War era, you can enjoy rich coffee. In summer especially, the coffee-and-coconut smoothie is popular.
The historic Café de la Poste is a café remodeled from a French colonial-era post office. In a space marked by high ceilings and large windows, it serves a cup where you can feel the fusion of France and Vietnam.
At Café Việt, popular with locals, the iced coffee packed with the south’s signature abundance of ice is superb. Suited to the hot climate, a single bracing cup blows the heat away.
La Viet Coffee is a specialty shop using Arabica grown in Da Lat in the Central Highlands. A spot recommended for coffee connoisseurs, it lets you savor the delicate flavor of Arabica, a minority variety even in Vietnam.
Three hidden gems in central Vietnam
Central Vietnam is dotted with hidden gems that few tourists visit.
Reach Café in the old town of Hoi An is a social enterprise aimed at supporting the independence of young people with disabilities. Gazing at the beautiful old streetscape, you can enjoy coffee that also contributes to society.
Con Sóc Coffee in Da Nang is distinctive for its charming squirrel-themed interior. You can enjoy authentic coffee made with locally grown beans, paired with traditional Vietnamese sweets.
Café Nhà in Hue is a space where you can feel the history of the city that was the capital of Vietnam’s last dynasty. The exquisite contrast of delicate sweets influenced by royal court cuisine and mellow coffee is a delight.
Central Vietnam’s renowned shops draw fewer tourists, letting you touch a more authentic Vietnamese coffee culture. Why not mingle with the locals and spend a leisurely time?
Tips for enjoying Vietnamese coffee to the fullest
If you’re going to enjoy coffee in Vietnam, keeping a few tips in mind will make the experience richer.
First, be mindful of the time of day. From 6 to 8 a.m. is when locals stop by before work, so you can soak up a lively atmosphere. From 2 to 4 p.m., by contrast, is relatively quiet, so you can spend a leisurely time.
When ordering, say “ca phe sua da” for the classic iced milk coffee, “ca phe da” for black iced coffee, and “ca phe sua nong” for hot milk coffee.
Once the coffee has dripped through the phin, rather than stirring right away, wait for the very last drop to fall. Doing so draws out the coffee’s flavor to the fullest.
And above all, don’t rush. The keyword of Vietnam’s coffee culture is “slow.” Savoring a single cup over hours while taking in the surrounding scenery and people’s conversations — that is the very essence of Vietnamese coffee.
On your next trip to Vietnam, be sure to visit these renowned shops. They’re sure to leave you with unforgettable memories.
Conclusion: savor the appeal of Vietnamese coffee
The world of Vietnamese coffee is a cultural experience that goes beyond mere drink. Influenced by French colonial times yet developing in its own way, this coffee culture never ceases to captivate those who visit.
The 15 renowned shops introduced here each have their own charm and show us the many ways to enjoy Vietnamese coffee. Traditional brewing with a phin, inventive variations like egg coffee and coconut coffee, and above all the glimpses of local life that coffee offers.
If you’re planning a trip to Vietnam, be sure to visit these renowned shops for a coffee experience you enjoy with all five senses. Your coffee world is sure to grow wider.
Sensing the pulse of a city and its people through coffee — that is the greatest appeal of Vietnamese coffee.
