Vietnam Coffee: Types, Taste, Coffee Culture and How to Import Coffee from Vietnam
Vietnam is famous for many things—beautiful landscapes, delicious food, busy markets and a unique café culture. But one thing that deserves special attention is Vietnamese coffee.
Vietnam is one of the world's major coffee-producing countries and is particularly well known for Robusta coffee. Its Central Highlands are an important coffee-growing region, and coffee has become an important part of Vietnamese agriculture, culture and daily life.
For travellers, Vietnamese coffee is more than just a drink. From traditional street-side cafés to modern coffee shops, coffee is a part of everyday life in Vietnam.
During our family trip to Vietnam in September 2026, we also experienced Vietnamese coffee ourselves. We tried Highland coffee, enjoyed coffee with condensed milk, and our children also tried egg coffee. We even bought Three-in-One Vietnamese coffee to bring back home to India.
In this article, I am sharing what makes Vietnamese coffee special, popular Vietnamese coffee types, our personal experience and some basic information for people interested in sourcing or importing coffee from Vietnam.
Why Is Vietnamese Coffee So Famous?
Vietnam has a strong association with Robusta coffee. The country has developed a distinctive coffee culture around its strong coffee and traditional brewing method.
One of the most recognizable parts of Vietnamese coffee culture is the phin, a small metal filter that sits on top of a cup and allows coffee to drip slowly.
Unlike instant coffee, phin coffee is prepared gradually. Watching the coffee drip into the cup is itself part of the Vietnamese coffee experience.
Vietnamese coffee is often strong and bold, which is why it is commonly combined with condensed milk, ice or other ingredients.
For many visitors, this combination creates a coffee experience that is quite different from the coffee they normally drink at home.
Caption: Vietnamese coffee during our family trip to Vietnam.
What Does Vietnamese Coffee Taste Like?
Vietnamese coffee can have a strong and intense flavour, particularly when Robusta beans are used.
Traditional black Vietnamese coffee can taste bold and bitter. However, condensed milk can completely change the drinking experience by adding sweetness and creaminess.
This is one reason Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk, commonly known as cà phê sữa đá, has become so popular among locals and visitors.
If you normally prefer sweet coffee, the condensed-milk version may be easier to enjoy. If you prefer strong black coffee, traditional black Vietnamese coffee is also worth trying.
Popular Types of Vietnamese Coffee
Vietnam has developed several interesting coffee drinks. Some are traditional, while others have become popular with travellers because of their unusual flavours.
1. Vietnamese Black Coffee
Traditional black Vietnamese coffee is made using the phin filter and can be served hot or over ice.
It has a strong coffee flavour and may taste quite intense if you normally drink lighter coffee.
2. Vietnamese Condensed Milk Coffee
Cà phê sữa đá is one of the most famous Vietnamese coffee drinks.
Strong coffee is combined with sweetened condensed milk and served with ice.
During our Vietnam trip, we tried coffee with condensed milk and really enjoyed the combination. The sweetness of the condensed milk balanced the stronger coffee flavour and made it quite different from our usual coffee in India.
Caption: Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk that we enjoyed during our Vietnam trip.
3. Vietnamese Egg Coffee
Egg coffee, or cà phê trứng, is particularly associated with Hanoi.
It is made with a creamy mixture containing egg yolk, sugar and condensed milk, which is served over strong coffee.
I personally did not try egg coffee during our trip, but my children did. They told me that they really enjoyed it and found it very tasty.
So, if you visit Hanoi and enjoy trying different food and drinks, egg coffee can be an interesting part of the Vietnamese coffee experience.
Caption: Egg coffee that our children tried during our Vietnam trip.
4. Coconut Coffee
Coconut coffee is another popular Vietnamese variation. It combines coffee with coconut-based ingredients and is often served cold.
The combination can be particularly refreshing in Vietnam's warm weather.
5. Salt Coffee
Salt coffee, known as cà phê muối, is associated with Hue.
It combines coffee with a salted cream component. Although the idea may sound unusual, the salty element changes the balance between the bitterness of coffee and the sweetness of the cream.
Where Is Coffee Grown in Vietnam?
Vietnam's coffee industry is strongly associated with the Central Highlands.
Dak Lak and Lam Dong are among the important coffee-growing areas, and the Central Highlands play a major role in Vietnam's coffee production.
The region is particularly important for Robusta coffee.
For travellers who are interested in coffee beyond cafés, visiting a coffee-growing region can offer a different perspective on how coffee moves from farms to processing, roasting and finally to the cup.
Our Vietnamese Coffee Experience
Coffee was not the main purpose of our Vietnam trip, but it became one of the enjoyable parts of our food and travel experience.
We travelled to Vietnam as a family of eight from Punjab in September 2026.
During the trip, we tried Highland coffee, and we really liked its taste. We also enjoyed coffee with condensed milk.
One thing I noticed was that Vietnamese coffee has a very different character from the everyday coffee we usually drink in India. It is stronger, and the way it is served makes the experience different as well.
Our children also tried egg coffee. Although I did not personally taste it, they enjoyed it and told us that it was very tasty.
Travelling often introduces you to things that you were not specifically looking for, and Vietnamese coffee was one of those experiences for our family.
Caption: Highland Coffee that we tried during our Vietnam trip.
We Also Bought Vietnamese Three-in-One Coffee
Apart from drinking coffee in Vietnam, we also bought Vietnamese Three-in-One coffee and brought it back home to India.
We wanted to bring something back from Vietnam that would remind us of our trip, and this coffee was one of the products we purchased.
Three-in-One coffee is convenient because the coffee mix is designed to be prepared easily at home. For us, it was also a simple way to continue enjoying a little taste of Vietnam after returning to India.
I am sharing a photo of the actual Three-in-One coffee pack that we purchased during our trip.
Caption: Vietnamese Three-in-One coffee that we bought during our Vietnam trip and brought back to India.
Can You Import Coffee from Vietnam to India?
Yes, businesses can explore commercial coffee imports from Vietnam to India, but importing food products involves more than simply purchasing coffee from a Vietnamese seller and arranging shipping.
Anyone planning a commercial import should check the current requirements of FSSAI, DGFT and Indian Customs before placing an order.
For food imports, an importer needs to meet applicable licensing and documentation requirements. FSSAI's food-import process includes documentation, customs procedures and, where applicable, inspection, sampling and laboratory testing.
The exact requirements can depend on the type and form of coffee being imported, its packaging, ingredients, intended use and applicable regulations.
Basic Process for Importing Coffee from Vietnam to India
A simplified commercial process can look like this:
Vietnamese supplier → Product selection → Sample and quality check → Price and shipping agreement → Indian import documentation → Customs/FSSAI clearance → Delivery
1. Find a Vietnamese Coffee Supplier
The first step is to find a suitable Vietnamese coffee producer, processor or exporter.
A buyer should not select a supplier only because the quoted price is low. Product quality, consistency, documentation and shipping arrangements are also important.
2. Decide What Type of Coffee You Want
A buyer should clearly identify the product before ordering.
For example:
- Green coffee beans
- Roasted coffee beans
- Ground coffee
- Instant coffee
- Three-in-One coffee
- Robusta coffee
- Arabica coffee
- Coffee blends
The exact product specification can affect the applicable import requirements.
3. Ask for Samples and Product Information
Before placing a large commercial order, it is sensible to understand the product specifications and, where appropriate, evaluate samples.
A buyer may also need information about origin, ingredients, packaging, shelf life, certificates and other documents depending on the product.
4. Discuss Price, Quantity and Shipping
The importer and Vietnamese supplier should agree clearly on:
- Product price
- Quantity
- Minimum order quantity
- Packaging
- Payment terms
- Shipping terms
- Delivery arrangements
- Insurance, where applicable
The supplier's quoted price is not necessarily the final cost to the Indian buyer.
5. Check Indian Import Requirements
For commercial food imports, Indian requirements need to be checked before shipment.
FSSAI's food-import guidance states that food importers need a valid FSSAI Import License and an Importer Exporter Code issued by DGFT, along with the applicable documentation.
6. Customs and Food Clearance
After the shipment reaches India, the importer needs to complete the applicable customs and food-clearance procedures.
Depending on the consignment and risk assessment, food imports can be subject to document scrutiny, visual inspection, sampling and laboratory testing.
FSSAI operates the Food Import Clearance System (FICS), which is integrated with Indian Customs systems.
7. Calculate the Final Landed Cost
For a business, the important number is not just the supplier's coffee price.
The importer should calculate the approximate landed cost in India, taking into account the applicable purchase cost, freight, insurance where applicable, customs duties/taxes, clearance charges and other expenses.
This helps determine whether importing the product is commercially practical.
What Should You Check Before Buying Coffee from Vietnam?
If you are considering Vietnamese coffee for business, compare more than just the price per kilogram.
Important points include:
- Coffee variety
- Robusta or Arabica
- Green, roasted or instant coffee
- Origin
- Product specifications
- Quality
- Packaging
- Minimum order quantity
- Shelf life
- Ingredients, where applicable
- Required certificates
- Shipping cost
- Import duties and taxes
- Food-safety requirements
- Final landed cost
For a first-time importer, professional advice from a qualified customs or import professional can be useful because requirements can vary according to the product and current regulations.
Can Other Countries Import Coffee from Vietnam?
Vietnam has an established coffee export industry, and international buyers can source Vietnamese coffee through producers, processors and exporters.
A simplified international supply chain can look like:
Vietnamese producer → Processor/exporter → International buyer/importer → Customs clearance → Distributor/roaster → Retailer or café
The exact rules vary from country to country.
Therefore, buyers outside India should check the food-import, customs, labelling and other applicable requirements of their own country before ordering commercial quantities.
Why Is Vietnamese Coffee Interesting for Travellers and Businesses?
For travellers, Vietnamese coffee is interesting because the experience is not only about the beans.
It combines:
- Strong coffee
- Traditional phin brewing
- Condensed milk
- Ice
- Egg coffee
- Coconut flavours
- Salted cream
- A strong café culture
For businesses, Vietnam is also an important coffee-producing and exporting country, making it a market worth researching if someone is interested in coffee sourcing.
Planning a Vietnam Trip from India?
If you are planning your own Vietnam trip, I have also shared several practical guides based on our travel planning and experience.
You can read my Vietnam E-Visa Guide for Indian Citizens to understand how I approached the visa process:
Vietnam E-Visa Guide for Indian Citizens
If you are trying to estimate the budget for a Vietnam trip, you can also read:
Vietnam Trip Cost from India 2026
For accommodation planning, see:
And if you want to understand Vietnamese currency and everyday spending:
Vietnam Currency Guide for Indians
Vietnam is also becoming interesting for Indian business owners looking at sourcing opportunities. I have written about Vietnamese wholesale markets and importing products from Vietnam here:
How to Import Clothes from Vietnam to India
If you are comparing travel visas for different purposes, you can also read
Vietnam Tourist Visa vs Business Visa
Hotel Booking and Travel Insurance
For travellers planning accommodation in Vietnam, you can check hotel options on Agoda before your trip.
Travel insurance is another part of international trip planning that should not be ignored. If you are looking for travel insurance information, you can also check SafetyWing and review its current coverage, terms and eligibility before purchasing.
Check Travel Insurance Options
Always read the current policy terms, exclusions and coverage details before making a purchase.
Final Thoughts
Vietnam surprised me in many ways during our September 2026 family trip, and coffee became one of the small but memorable parts of our journey.
We tried Highland coffee, enjoyed coffee with condensed milk and our children tried egg coffee. We also bought Three-in-One Vietnamese coffee and brought it home to India.
For travellers, Vietnamese coffee is worth trying because it is closely connected with the country's culture and everyday life.
For business owners, Vietnam's coffee industry can also be interesting from a sourcing and international trade perspective. However, anyone planning a commercial import should research the current Indian food-safety, customs and import requirements before placing an order.
For me, the best part is that a cup of Vietnamese coffee can bring back a memory of the trip long after you have returned home.
Vietnamese coffee is not just a beverage. It is a part of Vietnam's culture, agriculture, daily life and international trade.
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