When you drink coffee, what comes to mind? Italian espresso? A big American mug?
Vietnam is actually the world's second-largest coffee producer, according to ICO (International Coffee Organization) data. Its distinctive culture and flavor have a charm you won't forget once you've experienced it. Built around rich, aromatic Robusta beans and brewed in the traditional style using the unique phin (Vietnamese coffee filter), it carries a long history dating back to the French colonial era.
At the cafés lining the street corners of Ho Chi Minh City, you can enjoy the exquisite harmony woven by sweet condensed milk and bitter coffee.
When I first drank Vietnamese coffee, I was struck by the balance of richness and sweetness. Though it tasted nothing like Japanese coffee, it gave a strange and pleasant sense of satisfaction.
This time we introduce the coffee shops you absolutely must visit in Ho Chi Minh City as of September 2025. From famous spots aimed at tourists to hidden gems loved by locals, this is a guide to enrich your Vietnamese coffee experience.
Popular chain coffee shops in Ho Chi Minh City
First, let us introduce popular chains that are easy to walk into even on a first trip to Vietnam.
One name you can't leave out when talking about Vietnam's coffee scene is Highlands Coffee. Founded in 1998 by Vietnamese-American David Thai, this chain operates throughout Vietnam. You'll spot it all over Ho Chi Minh City, so it's a great first step for casually enjoying authentic Vietnamese coffee.
Highlands Coffee’s white coffee (45,000 dong, about 270 yen) strikes an exquisite balance between the sweetness of condensed milk and the bitterness of the coffee. Savor it slowly in the air-conditioned interior and the fatigue of walking around hot Ho Chi Minh City melts away.
Another popular chain, Phúc Long, is not to be missed either. Priced a little lower than Highlands Coffee, it lets you enjoy the sweetness distinctive to Vietnamese coffee. Coffee starts at an affordable 30,000 dong (about 180 yen), and the air-conditioned interior has charging spots too — perfect for a break between sightseeing.
Both have English menus, so you can order with peace of mind even on your first trip to Vietnam.
Comparing Ho Chi Minh City's popular café chains
For first-time visitors to Ho Chi Minh City, here's a comparison of the main chains and what sets each apart.
| Chain | Characteristics | Price range | Recommended menu | Atmosphere |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highlands Coffee | 国民的チェーン・900店舗超 | 40,000〜70,000VND | Cà Phê Sữa Đá (iced coffee with condensed milk) | Modern, fully air-conditioned |
| Phúc Long | A blend of tea and coffee | 45,000〜80,000VND | Lotus tea latte | Relaxed Japanese-modern feel |
| Cộng Cà Phê | Popular jungle-style interiors | 55,000〜90,000VND | Coconut coffee | Photogenic, geared toward tourists |
| Local street stalls | Cheapest, the local taste | 10,000〜25,000VND | Cà Phê Sữa Đá (iced coffee with condensed milk) | Outdoor seating, plastic stools |
Prices are a guide as of the end of 2024 (1,000 VND ≈ 6 yen).
For authentic egg coffee
When it comes to Vietnamese coffee, the unique egg coffee is a must as well.
It’s a cup you can enjoy almost like a dessert, with a creamy layer of whipped egg yolk and condensed milk atop the coffee. Originally a menu item from Hanoi in the north, authentic egg coffee can now be enjoyed in Ho Chi Minh City too.
Little HaNoi Egg Coffee is an egg-coffee specialty shop in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City. A popular spot highly rated on TripAdvisor, it faithfully recreates the authentic Hanoi taste. With its devotion to whipping the egg, it has a fine, fluffy texture. The cup, where the bitterness of the coffee harmonizes beautifully with the sweetness of the egg, tastes much like tiramisu.
3T Egg Coffee is also a popular spot for tourists seeking egg coffee. The interior has a retro feel where you can sense Vietnam’s traditional café culture. The appeal is that beyond egg coffee, you can enjoy other Vietnam-specific coffee variations such as coconut coffee.
How about it? Sounds like an experience completely different from your usual café latte, doesn’t it?
Hidden gems loved by locals
Famous spots aimed at tourists are fine, but if you want to experience true Vietnamese coffee culture, visit the renowned shops loved by locals.
Cong Ca Phe is a café chain distinctive for an interior inspired by the mountainous regions of northern Vietnam. The décor, built around a green reminiscent of military uniforms, and its nostalgic atmosphere are popular with young Vietnamese. Coconut coffee is the signature item, where the gentle sweetness of coconut and the bitterness of coffee play an exquisite harmony.
「KATINAT」は2016年にホーチミンで誕生し、現在では90店舗以上を展開する地元発のコーヒーショップ。ハイランドコーヒーと比べて甘さ控えめのコーヒーが特徴で、ホワイトコーヒーSサイズが39,000ドン（約234円）とリーズナブル。コーヒー以外のメニューも豊富で、ベトナムコーヒーのさまざまなバリエーションを試したい方におすすめです。
Phuong Ca Phe is a hidden spot that sits in the heart of District 1 yet offers a quiet environment where you can focus. The table seats come fully equipped with power outlets, and the Wi-Fi is fast. With many plants growing inside, you can spend a cool, comfortable time even on a hot day. The SICULA (ICE) (70,000 dong, about 420 yen), topped with faintly toasted marshmallows over chocolate sauce, has a sweet-and-salty flavor that soaks into a tired body.
Local cafés may not have English menus. In that case, try saying “ca phe sua da” (iced coffee with condensed milk) or “ca phe den da” (black iced coffee). Learning a little Vietnamese makes for a deeper coffee experience.
Choosing Vietnamese coffee souvenirs
Once the charm of Vietnamese coffee takes hold, you’ll want to buy coffee beans and related goods to bring home.
At Highlands Coffee, a box of 20 coffee packs can be bought for 75,000 dong (about 450 yen). You can buy it on Amazon in Japan too, but buying locally gives you a wider variety at a better price.
If you want to enjoy authentic Vietnamese coffee at home, we recommend buying the traditional brewing tool, the phin, along with it. You can find it at a reasonable price at Ben Thanh Market and supermarkets.
Don’t forget the condensed milk essential to Vietnamese coffee, either. That said, you need to be careful about bringing it into Japan, so it’s best to master the method locally and recreate it with ingredients available in Japan.
Conclusion: making the most of your coffee experience in Ho Chi Minh City
The appeal of Vietnamese coffee lies not only in its distinctive flavor but in the culture of savoring it amid an unhurried flow of time. When you visit Ho Chi Minh City, try making the rounds of different coffee shops, from famous chains to hidden gems beloved by locals.
For first-timers, chains like Highlands Coffee and Phuc Long are a great choice. Once you’re used to it, take on unique variations such as egg coffee and coconut coffee. And if you enjoy coffee at a local café among the locals, it should lead to a deeper understanding of Vietnamese culture.
Why not touch the charm of Vietnamese coffee on your 2025 trip to Ho Chi Minh City? It’s sure to become an unforgettable memory of flavor.
