Since you've come all the way to Vietnam, you'll want to try a café chain that doesn't exist in Japan!
For travelers like that, we'd recommend Vietnam's leading national café chain,Highlands Coffee.
Often called "the Starbucks of Vietnam," Highlands Coffee has been expanding as a café chain where you can easily enjoy traditional Vietnamese coffee.
Japanese travelersI'm curious about Highlands Coffee, but I hesitate to walk in...
This article gives a thorough rundown of drinks that are easy to order even for first-timers, along with recommended souvenirs.
What Is Highlands Coffee, Vietnam's Largest Coffee Chain?
Highlands Coffee is Vietnam's largest café chain.
Here we introduce its history, atmosphere, and price range.
How Highlands Coffee Became Vietnam's Largest Coffee Chain
The story of Highlands Coffee begins with its founder, David Thai.
At a time when "street coffee" enjoyed on the sidewalk was the norm, he set out to build "a coffee chain that was clean, modern, and a source of Vietnamese pride." He founded the company in Hanoi in 1998 and opened its first store in Ho Chi Minh City in 2002.
After the Philippine restaurant giant Jollibee Foods Corporation took a stake in the 2010s, store openings accelerated, and it has grown into the largest chain, with numerous locations across the country.
In June 2026, it opened its 1,000th store in Hanoi.
In urban areas, you can sometimes spot two or three Highlands Coffee locations within a few hundred meters of each other.
Highlands Coffee's Menu and Price Range
Ca phe sua da (coffee with condensed milk) starts at 29,000 dong (about 180 yen), a mid-range price for a Vietnamese café.
Beyond Vietnamese-coffee-based drinks, the menu offers a wide variety, including matcha drinks, espresso-based options like Americano and lattes, and tea.
Highlands Coffee, a Relaxing Spot for Vietnamese People
Highlands Coffee is a café people use regularly for socializing, studying, or work. Visitors range widely in age from young people to middle-aged and older customers, and the interior is full of energy.
Depending on the time of day and the location, the atmosphere often gets lively as more people gather to chat.
Recommended for Japanese Tourists Too
Highlands Coffee also works well as a rest stop for Japanese tourists.
- Reliable Wi-Fi
- Easier to try Vietnamese coffee than at a local shop
- Menu available in English (no Japanese menu)
- You can order just by pointing
- Air-conditioned space
- Easy to find thanks to its many locations
If you want to enjoy coffee you can't get in Japan but feel uneasy about hygiene or aren't sure which café to choose, start by trying Highlands Coffee.
Order This First! Recommended Drinks at Highlands Coffee
From Highlands Coffee's extensive menu, here's a rundown of recommendations by category and who they suit.
- If you want to enjoy Vietnamese coffee: the Phin series
- If you want a dessert-like drink: the Freeze series
- If you want a familiar Americano or latte: the Espresso series
- If you're not a coffee person: the Tra (tea) series
Phin Series: Ca Phe Sua Da (Phin Sua Da)
At Highlands Coffee, you can enjoy drinks based on traditional Vietnamese coffee.
The recommended item is Phin Sua Da: rich Robusta coffee with plenty of condensed milk and ice added.
Since it's quite sweet, it's perfect for when you want an energy boost during your trip.
Here are the Vietnamese coffees you can enjoy at Highlands Coffee.
- Phin Sua Da: iced coffee with condensed milk
- Phin Den Da: Vietnamese-style iced coffee known for the bitterness of Robusta beans
- Phin Bac Xiu: condensed milk and milk mixed with a small amount of Vietnamese coffee
The Freeze Series
Popular among young Vietnamese people is "Freeze," a frozen drink blended with ice.
Here are the popular menu items.
- Green Tea Freeze: It's a matcha smoothie with "coffee jelly" mixed in. The astringency and creaminess of the matcha, along with the jiggly texture of the jelly, is addictive.
- Classic Café Freeze: Vietnamese coffee made into a smoothie form with whipped cream on top. The coffee's bitterness becomes mild, perfect for a refresh on a hot afternoon.
The Espresso Series
Highlands Coffee also offers Americano- and latte-style drinks, not just Vietnamese coffee and dessert-style beverages.
Some people find the richness of Vietnamese coffee too heavy, so ordering something familiar can be a safe choice.
The Standout in the Tea Series: Golden Lotus Tea (Tra Sen Vang)
If you're not a fan of coffee or want something refreshing, go for a tea-based drink.
"Golden Lotus Tea (Tra Sen Vang)"is based on lotus tea and topped with sweetly stewed lotus seeds.
It's also topped with a salty milk foam reminiscent of cream cheese, creating an exquisite sweet-and-salty harmony.
It looks like it would be extremely sweet, which can make people hesitant, but it's actually a lighter, more refreshing drink than expected.
The Food Menu Is Great Too — Try the Banh Mi Que!
Highlands Coffee offers more than just drinks — its food menu, including bread and cakes, is substantial too.
Among them, the recommended "Banh Mi Que" is a classic Vietnamese snack made of pate and other fillings tucked into a long, slender roll.
It's smaller and easier to eat than a regular banh mi, making it a good pick even for newcomers to Vietnamese food. Try it as a light bite alongside your coffee.
Recommended Souvenirs From Highlands Coffee
Highlands has a great range of souvenirs. You'll find items packed with a distinctly Vietnamese character that other coffee chains don't offer.
Highlands' Original Tumbler
Highlands Coffee also sells original tumblers with distinctly Vietnamese designs.
Some feature illustrations of non la (Vietnam's traditional conical hat), cityscapes, and other Vietnam-themed imagery, making them a great memento of your trip. Beyond simple logo designs, the patterns change seasonally, so check them out if you spot one you like.
Some designs are stylish enough to use easily back in Japan, too, making them handy as souvenirs.
Coffee Beans and Phin Filters
At Highlands Coffee, beyond the drinks you enjoy in-store,take-home products like ground coffee and instant coffeeare also sold.
Some locations also sell the phin, the metal filter used to brew Vietnamese coffee.
Since it lets you enjoy the taste of Vietnamese coffee at home, it also makes a great souvenir for coffee lovers.
How to Order at Highlands Coffee: Tips for First-Timers
Here's how to order and what to keep in mind, so Japanese tourists can use the café with confidence.
How to order
It's basically a self-service system.
- Order and pay at the counter. There's no Japanese-language menu.
- Receive a call buzzer.
- When the buzzer rings, go to the counter to pick it up. * Food like banh mi may take a little time to prepare.
Handy points to remember
Some items can't be adjusted, but if you're not a fan of sweet drinks, say "Less Sugar" or order an Americano or café latte instead.
Many items in the Freeze series come topped with whipped cream, so if you'd rather skip it, say "No cream."
Highlands Coffee Is Also a Great Spot for Japanese Travelers
Highlands Coffee is a place where you can feel the energy of Vietnam's rapid growth while it still holds onto its traditional coffee culture.
As a relatively clean spot where you can casually enjoy coffee, it also works well as a rest stop for Japanese tourists.
Be sure to head to Highlands Coffee, a coffee chain you won't find in Japan, on your next visit to Vietnam. It offers a relaxing break while giving you an easy way to experience Vietnamese culture.
