Vietnam wins World Cup Tasters Championship for first time

News of Cuong’s victory has attracted significant attention from the international specialty coffee community as this year’s competition took place in Bangkok, Thailand during the World of Coffee Bangkok 2026 event.

It was also the first time the tournament had been hosted in Thailand and Southeast Asia.

The 2026 World Cup Tasters Championship was held from May 7 to 9 at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre.

According to the organizers under the Specialty Coffee Association, the competition tested coffee sensory skills at the highest level.

Contestants had to accurately identify the different cup of coffee among sets of three cups under intense time pressure.

In each round, competitors faced three cups of coffee, two of which were identical while one was different.

Participants had to rely on their sense of smell, taste, and sensory experience to identify the odd cup as quickly as possible.

After advancing through the preliminary, quarterfinal, and semifinal rounds, four contestants entered the final round.

Le Quang Cuong, also known as Nicky, outperformed all competitors with his speed, accuracy, exceptional sensory skills, and concentration to secure the championship.

Vietnam’s victory is being viewed as an important milestone for the country’s specialty coffee industry, especially as Vietnam continues to strengthen its presence on the global map of high-quality coffee.

“Nicky rose above all competitors, demonstrating outstanding speed, absolute accuracy, and mastery of aroma, taste, and concentration to claim the highest honor,” the organizers said after the final round.

The official World Coffee Championships website had earlier introduced Cuong as Vietnam’s representative at this year’s competition in Bangkok.

He earned the spot after winning the 2026 Vietnam Cup Tasters Championship, which was held for the first time in Ho Chi Minh City in April.

The other finalists this year were Catherine Queiroz of Switzerland, Mehmet Sogan of the United States, and Mizuki Tagami of Japan.

Over the past few years, Vietnam’s specialty coffee community has grown rapidly with the emergence of more internationally oriented coffee shops, roasteries, and professional baristas.

The country is no longer known only as a 'robusta powerhouse' but it is gaining recognition for its specialty coffee production and increasingly sophisticated sensory expertise.

Thai media coverage of World of Coffee Bangkok 2026 also highlighted Southeast Asia as an emerging hub of the global specialty coffee industry, with Vietnam considered one of the region’s most prominent markets.