On an office-district morning, Vietnamese commuters grab their cups at the counter before work and hurry off: Passio Coffee is a takeout-focused café that has supported that "busy morning cup." People walking with a cold brew poured into a deep plastic cup are the everyday scenery of Ho Chi Minh City itself. Rather than a place to settle in, it has taken root as a café for quickly buying a drink and getting moving.
| Genre | Coffee |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2006 (Ho Chi Minh City) |
| Origin | Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam |
| Coverage area | Ho Chi Minh City・Hanoi |
| Number of locations | 88 stores |
| Signature menu | Takeaway-style cold brew is the signature menu item |
| Official site | https://www.facebook.com/PassioCoffeeVN/ |
What is Passio Coffee | a pioneer that created Vietnam's takeout culture
The founding story
Passio Coffee is a Vietnam-born café that started in 2006 from a tiny shop of just about 15 square meters in Ho Chi Minh City. It is considered one of the pioneers that first brought the style of "takeout-only coffee" to the Vietnamese market, and the name derives from the English word "Passion." Unlike the traditional Vietnamese café where you sit and stay a long time, it proposed a new habit for busy businesspeople to drink on the move.
Over more than a decade since its founding, it expanded to a nationwide scale of 100 stores. Along the way it broadened from takeout-only to seating and delivery, changing its form to match the shifting needs of the city. Even so, at its core is the same idea it started with: a clean, delicious, quick, and affordable cup.
Why commuters choose it
Passio's strength is, above all, its speed and quick turnover. Designed so you can order at the counter and receive your drink right away, you're rarely kept waiting even on the way to work or during a break. Its prices are also a bit more affordable than other chains, making it suited to daily use without becoming a burden even if you go every day.
Another feature is that its stores are located along commuting routes, such as the ground floors of office buildings, commercial facilities, and near stations. The reassurance that "there's always the usual Passio in the usual place" fits neatly into the daily rhythm of Vietnamese businesspeople.
Passio Coffee's signature menu and flavors
The menu is built around traditional Vietnamese-style coffee, with arrangements that are easy to drink as takeout. Prices center on the few-hundred-yen range, so you can try them casually.
Cold Brew
Passio's signature cup is cold brew slowly extracted by cold water. Served in a deep takeout cup, it is just right as a companion for a hot Vietnam city walk or commute. With a clean taste, it is also easy to choose when rich Vietnamese-style coffee feels a bit heavy.
Ca Phe Sua Da (Cà Phê Sữa Đá)
The classic Vietnamese-style iced coffee combining the rich bitterness of dark-roasted Robusta with the sweetness of condensed milk. At Passio it comes in a takeout format you can receive quickly, letting you experience the local commuter-coffee culture as it is.
Other popular drinks
| Drink | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Bac Xiu (Bạc Xỉu) | A milk-leaning Vietnamese coffee with extra condensed milk. For those not keen on bitterness |
| Cappuccino | A cup combining Italian-style frothed milk. For a Western-style change of pace |
| Peach Tea | A non-coffee drink with the refreshing sweetness of peach. For a refresh on a hot day |
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 |
|---|---|
| Passiopuccino | A signature drink praised for its smooth mouthfeel and fine foam |
| Cappuccino | The quality of the espresso and the finish of the foam are consistent, praised in multiple reviews |
| Fruit Chiller | A frozen drink often named by younger customers as suited to hot days |
Passio Coffee's store network and recommended ways to drop by
Scale and coverage area
It has stores across Vietnam, spreading especially from a base in Ho Chi Minh City to urban areas such as Hanoi. A feature is that its stores are concentrated along routes easy for commuters to drop by, such as office districts, the ground floors of commercial buildings, and near stations.
Many stores have a compact layout of just a counter and a few seats, with takeout customers making up the majority. There are also stores inside airports, convenient for people on the move for business or travel.
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 Passio Coffee and how to spend your time
Features of the interior and design
The sporty, clean design based on red and white is the mark. Rather than a place to relax for a long time, it has a minimal spatial design assuming a "buy a cup, rest a few minutes" use.
Since many stores emphasize turnover, an advantage is that you can usually buy without much of a wait even when busy. Some stores have terrace seats with greenery or spaces where you can sit and relax.
Wi-Fi, power outlets, and how easy it is to linger
Because it is designed for commuters, Wi-Fi and power outlets vary by store and are often not suited to long work sessions. If you want to settle in and work, choose a large store with seating and avoid the morning peak hours.
Passio Coffee's price guide and payment
| Menu | Price guide |
|---|---|
| Cà phê sữa đá | 30,000–40,000 dong (about 210–280 yen) |
| Cold Brew | 45,000–55,000 dong (about 300–380 yen) |
| Pastries | 25,000 to 45,000 dong (about 170 to 310 yen) |
An affordable local price range compared with other chains, set so you can use it daily as commuter coffee. Payment is by cash as well as QR payment or cards depending on the store. Having small bills on hand makes things smooth.
Prices can change by store and season. Check the latest at the counter or on the official menu.
Passio Coffee's takeout and souvenirs
As you'd expect from a takeout-oriented chain, there are thoughtful designs such as insulated bottles and dedicated carrier bags. Sometimes bringing your own bottle gets you a discount on your drink. Passio's drip bags and coffee grounds are available for purchase, making a good souvenir for those who want to recreate Vietnamese-style coffee at home.
Passio Coffee's map, access, and ordering tips
There are many stores in central areas such as Districts 1 and 3 of Ho Chi Minh City, in locations easy to drop by during a city walk.
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 |
You can check the latest menu, prices, hours, and store list公式Facebookhere.
What to know before visiting Passio Coffee
How to enjoy it smartly
Morning office hours (7 to 9 a.m.) tend to bring lines, so when you're in a hurry, it's smart to use mobile ordering and in-store pickup. If you want to avoid the crowds, shifting your visit slightly off those hours is recommended.
Walking through a nearby park or street with a cold brew in hand lets you experience the same "drink on the move" style as the local businesspeople.
Points to note
It is basically takeout-oriented, and many stores are not suited to sitting and staying a long time. If you want a relaxed stay, checking in advance whether it's a large store with seating is reassuring.
Cold drinks with ice dominate, so choose according to how you and your stomach feel. If the sweetness is strong, say “less sweet” when ordering.
For the history, background, and how to enjoy Passio Coffee, see the reading column "Learn more about Passio Coffee.”
🗺️ 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 kind of café is Passio Coffee?
-
A Vietnam-born, takeout-focused café that emerged in Ho Chi Minh City in 2006. It is known for a speed-focused style that captured the demand for the "busy morning commuter coffee."
- What is the signature menu item?
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Cold-water cold brew and the Vietnamese-style iced coffee ca phe sua da. Both can be received quickly as takeout.
- Can you sit and relax?
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Many stores are compact, with a counter and a few seats, and are basically takeout-oriented. If you want to stay a while, choose a large store with seating.
- Is it expensive?
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A local price range slightly more affordable than other chains. A ca phe sua da is about 30,000 to 40,000 dong (about 210 to 280 yen), easy to use every day.
- Is there Wi-Fi and power?
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Because it is designed for commuters, it varies by store and is often not suited to long work sessions. If your goal is to work, a large store with seating is recommended.
