Trung Nguyên Legendis a café chain that represents Vietnam.
Born in Vietnam's Central Highlands, the café now operates not only in Vietnam but around the world.
Vietnam travelerI'd like to visit a distinctly Vietnamese café chain.
In that case, try going to Trung Nguyen Legend.
You can enjoy authentic Vietnamese coffee there.
What is Trung Nguyen Legend? Three features
It began in the coffee capital "Buon Ma Thuot"
Trung Nguyen Legend began in 1996 in Buon Ma Thuột, a coffee-producing region in Vietnam's Central Highlands.
It then opened its first directly run café in Ho Chi Minh City in 1998, switching to a business model that delivers coffee directly to consumers. Beyond cafés, it puts effort into selling products such as instant coffee, and it has become a coffee staple you're sure to spot at local supermarkets.
Today it operates more than 1,000 stores, including overseas, making it an important brand that promotes Vietnamese coffee around the world.
Carefully selected coffee beans
Trung Nguyen's signature coffee beans are the "Sang tao (Creation)" series.At directly run stores, the bean blend ratio differs by number, and you can enjoy a varied range of coffees, from fine Arabica beans to premium civet coffee.
Inside the stores there's Vietnamese coffee served by phin drip, and the jet-black phin is striking.
The coffee dripped from the phin is very bitter, so it divides opinion, but if you want to savor a distinctly Vietnamese atmosphere it's recommended.
Coffee is priced at about 50,000–100,000 VND (about 300–600 yen) a cup, positioning it as a mid- to high-end place among Vietnam's cafés.
There are also matcha lattes and juices, so even those who dislike coffee can drop in easily.
A calm interior
It's a chain, but it's relatively clean and easy for travelers to enter.
The interior concept is a "library," with wooden furniture and soft lighting creating a relaxed atmosphere where you can enjoy your tea.
Recommended Trung Nguyen Legend instant coffee
You'll also spot Trung Nguyen Legend's coffee at supermarkets.
Yes—it has an abundant lineup of instant coffee too, making it perfect as a souvenir.
Here we introduce coffee beans and instant coffee you can buy at supermarkets as well.
Trung Nguyen Legend drip-pack coffee
A fragrant drip-pack coffee with little acidity.
It's richer than Japanese drip-pack coffee, making it perfect when you want to wake up in the morning.
At about 150,000 VND (about 900 yen) the price is on the higher side, but with 10 packs inside it's handy as a handout souvenir.
Sang Taoseries
The "Sang Tao" series, a coffee that represents Trung Nguyen Legend, can be bought not only at cafés but also at large supermarkets.
The price is 85,000–185,000 VND (about 510–1,110 yen), varying by the bean blend.
G7 3in1
Even among Trung Nguyen Legend's brands, "G7" is a low-priced instant coffee familiar even to Japanese residents.
"3in1" is an instant coffee that contains coffee, milk, and sugar together. Richer than Japanese instant coffee, it's a handy drink for breaks or when you want a power charge.
G7 Black Coffee
G7's black coffee has solid richness—a handy way to enjoy coffee when you're busy.
It's recommended for those who want a rich flavor even in instant coffee, or who want to buy authentic coffee at an affordable price as a handout souvenir.
A Trung Nguyen Legend guide for Japanese tourists
How to find a store
It has outlets in the downtown areas and shopping malls of major cities such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang. Search "Trung Nguyên Legend" on Google Maps and you'll find your nearest store right away.
Ordering tips
The menu is basically written in both Vietnamese and English. Many stores have picture menus, so even if you're unsure about the language, pointing to order is no problem.
Estimated time to stay
If you order a phin drip, extraction takes 5–10 minutes, so it's reassuring to allow at least 30 minutes. Wi-Fi is available too, making it handy as a rest base or workspace between sightseeing.
Summary
Trung Nguyen Legend is a place where you can casually experience Vietnam's coffee culture. Starting from a small roastery in Buon Ma Thuot, the café has spread to more than 60 countries and become a coffee brand that represents Vietnam.
Time spent watching coffee slowly drip from a phin in a weighty, library-like space will surely become a memory of your Vietnam trip.
Be sure to visit during your Vietnam travels.
For recommended cafés in Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City, please refer to the articles below!
