Top 6 Vietnamese Coffees You Must Try in Vietnam. Vietnam’s coffee culture is incredibly diverse. Here are the top 6 coffees you must experience:
1. Cà Phê Sữa Đá (Iced Coffee with Condensed Milk)
The quintessential Vietnamese coffee. It uses strong, dark-roasted Robusta beans brewed through a traditional Phin filter, mixed with sweetened condensed milk and plenty of ice.
- Taste: Bold, bitter-sweet, and very refreshing.
- Best Place: Any street-side stall in Ho Chi Minh City.
2. Cà Phê Trứng (Egg Coffee)
Often called “Liquid Tiramisu,” this is a must-try Hanoi specialty. An egg yolk is whipped with condensed milk and sugar into a thick, airy foam that sits atop hot black coffee.
- Taste: Creamy, custard-like, and rich without being “fishy.”
- Best Place: Giang Cafe or Dinh Cafe in Hanoi.
3. Cà Phê Muối (Salted Coffee)
Originally from Hue, this drink has taken the country by storm. It features a layer of salted cream foam over traditional Phin coffee.
- Taste: The salt enhances the sweetness of the milk and cuts the bitterness of the coffee, creating a salted-caramel-like finish.
- Best Place: Any local cafe in Hue or specialty shops in Da Nang.
4. Cà Phê Cốt Dừa (Coconut Coffee)
A delicious blend of strong coffee and a frozen slushie of coconut cream and condensed milk.
- Taste: Fragrant, nutty, and perfect for cooling down on a hot day.
- Best Place: Cong Caphe (found in almost every major city).
5. Bạc Xỉu (White Coffee)
Essentially the opposite of a Cà Phê Sữa Đá, this is “condensed milk with a dash of coffee.” It was historically created for those who enjoyed the aroma of coffee but found the taste too strong.
- Taste: Very sweet and milky with a hint of coffee fragrance.
- Best Place: Vintage-style cafes in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City).
6. Cà Phê Chồn (Weasel Coffee)
One of the most expensive and premium coffees in the world. The beans are naturally fermented through the digestive system of civets, giving them a unique profile.
- Taste: Smooth, chocolatey, and earthy with a long-lasting sweet aftertaste.
- Best Place: Coffee plantations in Da Lat or Buon Ma Thuột.
