Hue, an ancient capital in central Vietnam. Beyond the World Heritage royal palace ruins and historic buildings, the city is captivating for its own coffee culture. Influenced by French colonial times, Vietnamese coffee has grown into a major industry boasting the world’s second-largest output.
Centered on rich, fragrant Robusta, Vietnamese coffee is marked by a brewing method using the country’s own tool, the phin. In Hue you can encounter unique cups such as the region’s own “salt coffee,” as well as traditional coffee.
This time we introduce recommended cafés where you can enjoy authentic Vietnamese coffee in Hue. Along with the historic streetscape, we invite you into the world of fragrant coffee.
The appeal of Vietnamese coffee tasted in Hue
Vietnam is one of the world’s leading coffee producers, ranking second only to Brazil in output. Robusta cultivation is especially robust, marked by its rich flavor and high caffeine content.
フランス植民地時代に伝わったコーヒー文化は、ベトナム独自の発展を遂げました。最も特徴的なのは「フィン」と呼ばれる金属製のドリッパーを使った抽出方法です。コップの上に置かれたフィンからゆっくりとコーヒーが滴り落ち、底に敷かれた練乳と混ざり合う様子は、時間を忘れさせる魅惑的な光景です。
When it comes to Vietnamese coffee, the sweet ca phe sua made with condensed milk is famous, but in Hue it has evolved even further. Salt coffee, loved by locals, is a specialty unique to Hue. The sweet-and-salty flavor woven by condensed milk and salt is said to be addictive once you’ve tried it.
At Hue’s cafés, you can catch a glimpse of local daily life while drinking coffee. Cafés that open early in the morning fill with locals enjoying a cup before work, creating a lively atmosphere.
Cafés where you should taste Hue’s own specialty, salt coffee
フエを訪れたら絶対に味わいたいのが「塩コーヒー（Cà Phê Muối）」です。この独特なコーヒーはこの数年ベトナム全土で人気を集めていますが、発祥の地はフエ。2010年頃から提供が始まったとされています。
The most famous home of salt coffee is Ca Phe Muoi. Said to be the first place in Hue to make salt coffee, it now has two locations, on 10 Nguyen Luong Bang Street and 142 Dang Thai Than Street. A local café known to every resident, it is also popular with tourists seeking the authentic taste.
At a glance, salt coffee looks like just a sweet Vietnamese coffee, but one sip and the flavor of salt spreads. Watching dark, bitter Vietnamese coffee drip over a white, cloud-like liquid where condensed milk, milk foam and salt have melted together is a delight in itself.
The taste is often compared to salted-caramel-flavored coffee; the salt works exquisitely to bring out the sweetness of the condensed milk. Easier to drink than ordinary sweet Vietnamese coffee, it is a cup that wins many people over.
At Ca Phe Muoi, a simple salt coffee can be enjoyed for 15,000 VND (about 120 yen). Yogurt and fruit tea are also served at around 20,000 VND, and the reasonable prices are part of the appeal.
Why not experience this distinctive flavor for yourself?
Feel modern Hue at a stylish café
歴史ある古都フエですが、この数年はモダンでおしゃれなカフェも増えています。伝統と現代が融合した空間で、ベトナムコーヒーの新たな魅力を発見できるスポットをご紹介します。
PinHolic
PinHolic, a stylish café popular in Hue, has won a following especially among young people with its modern interior and high-quality drinks. The signature salt coffee is a given, but its drinks made with fresh fruit are exquisite too.
The Lychee Rose Tea in particular wins rave reviews from visitors. It is a luxurious drink that blends fresh lychee juice with iced tea and adds a note of rose. The pink petals sunk at the bottom are beautiful, so you can enjoy it with both eyes and palate. The plump lychees on top are a welcome touch too.
Fruit tea in central Vietnam is marked by its beautiful look and juicy flavor. And above all, by Japanese standards, you’ll be amazed at how inexpensive it is.
KODO
If you want to experience Hue’s newest trends, KODO is another recommendation. A café where you can spend a leisurely time in a stylish space, it is popular with local young people too.
Beyond coffee, the appeal is that you can enjoy Hue’s traditional sweets. The local desserts served with a modern interpretation are sure to bring new discoveries.
Standby cafés where you can enjoy a traditional atmosphere
Hue’s charm lies in its historic atmosphere. Why not spend a nostalgic time at a café that makes the most of traditional architecture?
Nhà hàng cafe Vỹ Dạ Xưa
Nhà hàng cafe Vỹ Dạ Xưa, with more than 15 years of history, is a famous spot known to every Hue local. Located along a main street, it sits just a three-minute drive from the night-walking area.
The interior is designed in an old-fashioned style reminiscent of royal architecture, with a garden full of greenery alongside. At the back of the shop there is also a seating area overlooking the Perfume River, where you can relax feeling the cool breeze from the water.
The drink menu offers the standard coffees, fruit juices and teas, but our top recommendation is the Hue royal tea set with sweets, available for 130,000 VND (about 1,000 yen). It is perfect for anyone who wants to savor Hue’s character and a nostalgic atmosphere.
Highland Coffee
Highland Coffee, a popular coffee chain across Vietnam, is also a must in Hue. Some branches adopt traditional designs that don’t spoil Hue’s scenery, and each has its own character.
The drinks center on Vietnamese coffee and fruit tea, with cakes and slim banh mi sold too. It’s recommended for anyone who wants to take an easy, worry-free break in an air-conditioned interior.
Because Hue has no international chains like Starbucks or McDonald’s, Highland Coffee is also a valuable rest stop for tourists.
Tips for enjoying Hue coffee to the fullest
If you’re going to enjoy coffee in Hue, try spending your time like a local. Visit a café early in the morning and you’ll see locals reading the newspaper or enjoying a chat with friends.
Vietnamese coffee is generally served sweet, but you can adjust it to taste. Say “it duong” for “a little sweet,” or “khong duong” for “no sugar.”
In Hue you can also enjoy a meal alongside your coffee. Many cafés serve local dishes such as bun bo Hue (Hue-style beef noodles) and banh khoai (Hue-style pancake). Enjoying the local taste together with coffee is recommended too.
Experiencing Hue’s coffee culture is a wonderful chance to glimpse everyday life in Vietnam. After strolling the historic streets, be sure to take a break at a local café. Along with the rich aroma of coffee, it is sure to become an unforgettable memory.
A coffee experience in the ancient capital of Hue is a wonderful way to savor Vietnam’s culture and history. From traditional Vietnamese coffee to the locally born salt coffee, a richly varied world of coffee opens up.
On your next trip to Vietnam, be sure to visit Hue’s cafés. Along with the historic streetscape, fragrant coffee awaits you.
Which café caught your eye? If you get the chance to visit Hue, be sure to stop by the cafés introduced in this article. They’re sure to leave you with unforgettable memories of flavor.
