That orange cup everyone knows from Thailand's streets. ChaTraMue lets you enjoy thick, sweet Thai-style milk tea with plenty of condensed milk, exactly as it tastes back home, in Vietnam. In Vietnam, where coffee and light teas dominate, its presence—bringing Thailand's sweet-tooth culture over intact—stands out.
| Genre | Tea |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1945 (Bangkok, Thailand) |
| Origin | Thailand |
| Coverage area | Ho Chi Minh City・Hanoi |
| Number of locations | 7 outlets |
| Signature menu | Authentic Thai-style red milk tea is the signature specialty |
| Official site | https://chatramue.com/ |
What is ChaTraMue? An 80-year-old Thai tea brand
The founding story
ChaTraMue is a tea brand founded in 1945 in Bangkok, Thailand. The family's roots go back to the 1920s, when they moved from Chaozhou in China to Yaowarat Street in Bangkok's Chinatown and opened a tea shop. At first they dealt in Chinese tea, but realizing that hot tea wasn't much liked in hot Thailand, they shifted to a cold, sweet drink using Thai tea leaves from the northern Chiang Rai highlands. This became the prototype of the Thai tea that continues today.
The brand name means “the hand mark,” and the orange-based logo and shop design have permeated so far they can be called part of Thailand's streetscape. Starting in Thailand, it grew into a major chain rolling out many outlets across Southeast Asia—China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, and more.
The meaning of experiencing “the taste of Thailand” in Vietnam
ChaTraMue landed in Vietnam in June 2023. It opened its first outlet in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, and has increased outlets since. Vietnam's traditional teas are basically light and delicate, a different direction from the Thai style that builds firm sweetness with condensed milk. That very gap in palate is what makes drinking ChaTraMue in Vietnam interesting.
In coffee-powerhouse Vietnam, a thick, sweet, black-tea-based milk tea is a fresh option. As a place to recall that cup you tasted on a Thai trip while staying in Vietnam, it's known to residents and repeat visitors too.
ChaTraMue's signature menu and flavors
The signature is “Thai tea,” Thailand's national drink. The sweetness is firmly strong by Thai standards, so the trick is for first-timers to start with a small amount and for those not keen on sweetness to ask for a sweetness adjustment.
Thai Red Tea Milk
ChaTraMue's emblem. A thick, sweet cup of Thai red tea leaves from the Chiang Rai highlands with plenty of condensed milk and sugar added. Its vivid orange color and the distinctive taste where sweetness envelops the tea's astringency are exactly the flavor beloved at Thai street stalls. Served cold with plenty of ice, it's just right for a hot Vietnam city walk.
Thai Green Tea Milk
A staple alongside red tea is the green-tea-based milk tea. Lighter than red tea, with a gentle taste where green tea's aroma meets condensed milk's sweetness. It suits those who find red tea's richness strong, or who want a different flavor for their second cup.
Other popular drinks
| Drink | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Thai Red Tea Milk | The signature, thick and sweet with plenty of condensed milk. The vivid orange is the marker |
| Thai Green Tea Milk | Green-tea-based, lighter than red tea. A gentle sweetness |
| Limeade | A refreshing citrus drink to have between sweet teas |
Cups that win over reviewers
We have rounded up the well-reviewed items that come up again and again in travel and food-site reviews (focusing on dishes praised across multiple reviews).
| Menu | Why reviewers rate it |
|---|---|
| Thai Milk Tea (Cha Yen) | A deep-orange cup blending fermented tea leaves and spices—a staple often praised for the richness of condensed milk and its distinctive aroma |
| Thai Tea Soft Serve | Its not-too-sweet taste that brings out the tea flavor and its smooth texture have become a talking point in reviews and on social media |
| Thai Lemon Tea | A refreshing item well regarded by those who prefer a lighter drink, with lemon's tartness softening the sweetness |
ChaTraMue's locations and tips for stopping by
Scale and coverage area
In Vietnam it has outlets centered on Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, located in youth hangouts like District 1 and the Thao Dien area. Compared with Thailand and other Asian countries, the outlet count is still limited, making it a rare option for authentic Thai tea in Vietnam.
Opinions are divided on its fit with Vietnam's palate, which prefers light teas, so the rollout pace has been cautious. That's precisely why, when you spot one, it's a cup worth stopping for.
Main cities where you can enjoy this store:Ho Chi Minh City・Hanoi. You can check each city's tourist information from its city page.
The atmosphere at ChaTraMue and how to spend your time
Features of the interior and design
The interior is unified in the orange-and-white brand colors, with a casual atmosphere reminiscent of a Thai street café. With a drop-in, takeout-centered setup, it's easy to use casually mid-stroll.
The vivid orange world photographs well as is, so snapping a shot with a Thai tea in hand is fun.
Wi-Fi, power outlets, and how easy it is to linger
Because the shop is designed for short stays, it's not suited to long work sessions. Some outlets have Wi-Fi, but the style of grabbing a drink and heading to your next destination fits best.
ChaTraMue's price guide and payment
| Menu | Price guide |
|---|---|
| Thai Red Tea Milk | 50,000–65,000 dong (about 340–450 yen) |
| Thai Green Tea Milk | 45,000–60,000 dong (about 310–410 yen) |
| Limeade | 45,000–55,000 dong (about 300–380 yen) |
Roughly a few hundred yen a cup, cheaper than drinking Thai tea in Japan. Since takeout is the norm, having small bills or QR payment ready makes paying go smoothly.
Prices can change by store and season. Check the latest at the counter or on the official menu.
ChaTraMue: map, access, and ordering tips
The outlet sits right near Nguyen Hue Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, easy to drop into between sightseeing.
Vietnamese phrases for ordering
Here are the basic phrases that come in handy locally. Pointing works, but adding a word makes ordering smoother.
| Vietnamese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Cho tôi một … | One [drink], please |
| nóng / đá | Hot / iced |
| ít đường | Less sweet |
| không đường | No sugar |
| ít đá | Less ice |
| mang đi | Takeout |
| ở đây | For here |
| tính tiền | The check, please |
| trân châu | Add tapioca |
You can check the latest menu, prices, hours, and store listOfficial sitehere.
What to know before visiting ChaTraMue
How to enjoy it smartly
The sweetness is quite strong by Thai standards. Those who want it lighter should say “less sweet” when ordering. If you want to experience the authentic taste, we recommend first ordering the red milk tea at standard sweetness.
For those planning a Thailand trip, it's a presence for previewing and reviewing in Vietnam. Comparing it with the taste you had in Thailand is one way to enjoy it.
Points to note
Sweet, cold drinks dominate, so choose the amount according to how you and your stomach feel. Many outlets accommodate ice and sweetness adjustments, so tell them your preference to make it easy to drink.
Retail of tea leaves and teabags is centered on Thailand and limited at Vietnam outlets. If you want to buy souvenirs in bulk, purchasing during a Thailand trip is surest.
🗺️ 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.
Frequently asked questions
- What country is ChaTraMue's brand from?
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It's a Thai tea brand, an old establishment founded in Bangkok in 1945. It rolls out the orange Thai tea familiar from Thailand's streets.
- What is the signature menu item?
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Thai red milk tea with plenty of condensed milk and sugar. Distinguished by its vivid orange color and thick sweetness, it recreates the authentic Thai taste as is.
- When did it enter Vietnam?
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It opened its first outlet in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, in June 2023. Since then it has increased outlets centered on Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.
- How does it differ from Vietnamese tea?
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While Vietnam's traditional tea is basically light and delicate, ChaTraMue is a Thai-style sweet-tooth line that builds firm sweetness with condensed milk. That flavor difference is what makes the experience interesting.
- Can the sweetness be adjusted?
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Many outlets let you adjust sweetness and ice amount. Those not keen on sweetness should say “less sweet” when ordering.
