Are you unsure about choosing souvenirs for a Vietnam trip? "I have no time so I want to choose efficiently," "Since I'm here, I want to choose something they'll be happy with": for those with such worries, Vietnamese coffee is recommended.
This article explains in detail, from the perspective of a Vietnam resident, from foolproof standard brands to where to buy them and points for choosing.
Let's find the best Vietnamese coffee souvenir within limited travel time.
Why Vietnamese coffee is popular as a souvenir
For reasons of high quality and affordable prices, Vietnamese coffee is a popular souvenir among travelers and Japanese residents locally.
From people you give the souvenir to, you'll often be met with surprise: "I didn't know Vietnamese coffee was this rich and delicious!" Here we explain the appeal of Vietnamese coffee.
The coffee situation in Vietnam, the world's second-largest producer
Vietnam is one of the world's leading coffee-producing countries.
Vast coffee plantations spread out especially centered on the Da Lat region of the Central Highlands. Coffee cultivation, brought in during the French rule era, is now known as one of the world's famous coffee-producing areas.
The rich flavor unique to Robusta
The biggest feature of Vietnamese coffee is that it centers on Robusta.
Worldwide, Arabica is the mainstream, but in Vietnam Robusta accounts for the majority of total production.
Robusta has about twice the caffeine content of Arabica. Its bitterness is strong, with a bold flavor full of body as its feature. Traditional Vietnamese coffee, drunk with condensed milk added, is a combination that works only thanks to this Robusta richness. The balance of sweetness and bitterness is exquisite, an unforgettable flavor once you drink it.
Cheap in price and easy to use as bulk souvenirs
One of the major appeals of Vietnamese coffee is its low price.
If you buy at a local supermarket, instant coffee costs about 400 to 1,000 yen for one box (15 to 20 packets), and even the bean or ground type costs about 900 to 1,500 yen for 500 grams.
The good cost performance of low price despite high quality is a strength unique to a producing region. That you can make effective use of a limited souvenir budget is also a reason Vietnamese coffee is chosen.
When in doubt, go with these! Standard recommended brands of Vietnamese coffee
Vietnam has many coffee brands, but if you don't want to fail at choosing souvenirs, choosing a standard brand is the sure bet. Here we introduce six recommended brands loved locally and appreciated as souvenirs too.
| Brand name | Characteristics | Where you can buy it |
|---|---|---|
| G7 | - Individually wrapped type, perfect for bulk souvenirs | Supermarkets, souvenir shops, etc. (across Vietnam), airports |
| Highlands Coffee | - A popular café chain spread across all of Vietnam - Available at an affordable price | Stores, airports, large supermarkets |
| CONG CAFE | - Has instant Bac Xiu (milk coffee) and coconut coffee | Directly operated cafés, souvenir shops for Japanese, large supermarkets |
| MR.VIET | - Offers Robusta, Arabica, and flavors (hazelnut, etc.) | Local supermarkets, souvenir shops |
| LA VIET | - Uses high-quality Arabica - Fruity, with acidity and mellowness as its features | Directly operated cafés, souvenir shops for Japanese |
| STAR KITCHEN | - A Vietnam souvenir brand for Japanese - Offers beans, grounds, and drip packs | Directly operated stores, souvenir shops for Japanese (major cities) |
G7 | Instant perfect for bulk souvenirs too
G7 is an instant coffee brand operated by Trung Nguyen.
Individually wrapped and easy to carry, and since you can enjoy authentic Vietnamese coffee just by pouring hot water, it is the ultimate standard among bulk souvenirs.
The "3-in-1" type coffee with milk and sugar is popular too. You can easily enjoy a rich flavor not found in Japanese instant coffee. Since you can easily recreate sweet Vietnamese coffee, it's perfect for Vietnamese coffee beginners too.
Black coffee's good cost performance of around 400 to 500 yen for one box of 15 to 20 packets is attractive too. Since it's lightweight and doesn't take up bulk, it's also a welcome point for travelers that it doesn't crowd suitcase space.
Highlands Coffee | The flavor of a local café in Japan too
Highlands Coffee is the original brand of a popular café chain spread across all of Vietnam. Also called the Vietnamese Starbucks, it is widely supported from local young people to tourists.
A feature is that you can buy the coffee beans served in the stores.
Besides the stores, it is also handled at airports and large supermarkets. The price is about 500 to 700 yen for 200 grams.
CONG CAFE | Casually enjoy a flavor you can taste only in Vietnam in instant form
CONG CAFE is a café chain featuring a retro design themed on the Vietnam War era.
It also sells instant coffee of Bac Xiu (milk coffee) and coconut coffee, which are hard to taste in Japan.
The package design that lets you feel Vietnam's character makes a big impact when given as a souvenir. Not just coffee; small items such as T-shirts and tote bags are popular too.
Major cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang always have a store, so take a peek and do find your favorite.
MR.VIET | A brand familiar in Vietnam, marked by an illustration of a man
MR.VIET is a coffee brand often seen at local Vietnamese supermarkets and souvenir shops too.
It sells not only Robusta and Arabica but also flavored coffee such as hazelnut, and its rich variety is its appeal.
Because it has the powder-like fine grind that is a feature of Vietnamese coffee, extraction with a dedicated dripper or coffee press is recommended. You can enjoy a proper, rich flavor.
LA VIET | For those who want to enjoy authentic Arabica beans
It uses high-quality Arabica beans grown in the highland region of central Vietnam, ideal for those who aren't fond of the strong bitterness unique to Robusta or who seek a flavor that also suits Japanese palates.
The fruity aroma and acidity, and mellow mouthfeel unique to Arabica are its features. It can also be recommended as a souvenir for those who aren't fond of the richness of Vietnamese coffee.
Besides the directly operated cafés, it can also be found in shopping malls, so you can casually buy it during your trip. The price is about 1,000 to 1,500 yen for 200 grams, affordable for Arabica.
STAR KITCHEN | For those who want to be particular even about the souvenir's design
STAR KITCHEN is a brand offering Vietnam souvenirs for Japanese. Its eye-catching retro-design packaging is recommended for those seeking a slightly different souvenir.
Three types are available: beans, grounds, and drip packs, making it a souvenir appreciated by all kinds of people, from purists to those who want to enjoy coffee casually.
In major Vietnamese cities, besides directly operated stores, it's placed at souvenir shops for Japanese. Do give it a try.
Not just coffee: Vietnam-exclusive coffee-related goods
Coffee beans aren't the only souvenirs. Vietnam is also rich in goods for enjoying coffee more and exclusive items that let you feel Vietnam's character. Here we introduce recommended coffee-related goods that let you savor memories of Vietnam even after returning home.
L’ANGFARM coffee with filter
L’ANGFARM is a popular brand stocked with organic products from Da Lat in central Vietnam. It operates more than 40 stores in Vietnam, and in Hanoi it has a store inside Lotte Center.
Da Lat is famous as an Arabica producing region, and at L’ANGFARM you can buy this high-quality Da Lat coffee. Especially recommended is buying it as a set with a colorful Vietnamese coffee filter (ca phe phin).
With this filter, you can easily taste authentic Vietnamese coffee at home too.
Ho Chi Minh City: 107 Nguyen Hue street, Ben Nghe ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam
Hanoi: Ngoc Khanh, Ba Dinh, Hanoi city, Vietnam
Over 40 stores across the country
Starbucks Vietnam-exclusive products
Starbucks is loved worldwide, but Vietnam has exclusive products too. The Vietnam-flavored designs are popular as souvenirs for Starbucks fans.
Tumblers
Many are designed with traditional Vietnamese motifs and scenery, combining practicality and design. Since there are also different designs by city, such as Hanoi-exclusive and Ho Chi Minh City-exclusive, they're perfect as travel keepsakes too.
Vietnam-exclusive mugs
There are two types: normal-size mugs and demitasse cups. The beautiful designs with Vietnamese scenery and culture as motifs can be enjoyed just by displaying them. The compact demitasse cup is just the right size for drinking rich Vietnamese coffee.
Vietnam-exclusive Bearista
The adorable bear dressed in Vietnamese traditional costume is a popular item among collectors. It's perfect as a souvenir for a child or a gift for someone who collects Starbucks goods.
Summary | Vietnamese coffee is the best souvenir that lets you bring home the "afterglow of your trip"
Vietnamese coffee is a standard souvenir for a Vietnam trip. It's perfect for yourself as a travel memory, or to give to friends and coworkers.
You can choose according to purpose and recipient: G7 instant for bulk giving at work, Highlands Coffee or LA VIET beans for coffee-loving friends, and STAR KITCHEN or CONG CAFE if you're particular about design.
Since the places to buy it are also varied, spanning supermarkets, cafés, and airports, you can gather it efficiently even within limited travel time.
Vietnamese coffee is a special souvenir that lets you bring home the memories of your trip along with it. Do find your favorite item.
