Why Vietnam’s coffee scene is becoming a travel experience in its own right

The U.S. publication recently used coffee as a lens to explore travel experiences across Vietnam, highlighting not only the country’s strong Robusta beans and slow-drip phin brewing method, but also the social role coffee plays in everyday life.

Coffee shops, street-side stools, and neighborhood cafes are places where Vietnamese people meet, talk, and watch the city go by, National Geographic noted.

From Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, one cup at a time

National Geographic’s coffee journey moves from Hanoi to Da Nang, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City, with each stop revealing a different rhythm, flavor, and way of experiencing the drink.

In Hanoi, the story begins with the bean itself. Son La Arabica, grown in the cool, humid northern highlands, and rare Typica from Da Lat are introduced through cupping sessions that invite drinkers to slow down and notice the coffee’s aroma, texture, acidity, and sense of place.

National Geographic described cupping as a way to uncover the character and story behind each coffee, encouraging drinkers to ask where the beans come from and why certain flavors emerge.

Dak Lak Robusta adds another layer to the experience. Known for its bold character, it is increasingly being used not only in traditional brews but also in modern coffee creations that give Vietnam’s most familiar bean a new expression.

Less than two hours by air from Hanoi, the coastal city of Da Nang presents a more relaxed and unpretentious coffee culture.

For locals, National Geographic wrote, the experience may be as simple as sitting on a low wooden stool with a small, strong coffee and spending the morning talking.

About a 45-minute drive away, Hoi An offers another setting for coffee lovers, with more than 100 cafes scattered along pedestrian streets, lantern-lit alleys, and rice fields. Coconut coffee is among the popular choices, particularly when enjoyed on an outdoor terrace near An Bang Beach.

In Ho Chi Minh City, visitors can often see locals lingering over a glass of 'ca phe sua da,' or Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk, in the morning or late afternoon. The drink combines strong coffee with sweetened condensed milk and ice and is regarded by many travelers as one of the must-try experiences in Vietnam.

Helen Le, a Vietnamese food influencer and founder of Helen’s Recipes, said coffee drinking has clearly emerged as a communal ritual, one that people take time to enjoy.

“In Vietnam, coffee isn’t just a drink; it’s a lifestyle and a social rhythm. Coffee is everywhere, in every form, and everyone can afford it. People don’t always drink it to stay awake; they drink it to sit. To chat, to hang out, to catch up, to watch life go by,” says Le.

Creative coffee drinks add fresh appeal for travelers

Beyond traditional phin coffee and ca phe sua da, National Geographic also highlighted a wave of innovation reshaping Vietnam’s coffee scene.

The U.S. publication described Vietnam as a highly caffeinated social destination, where an increasingly diverse range of coffee creations is giving travelers new ways to experience the country’s cafe culture.

Sarah Nguyen, founder of Nguyen Coffee Supply, the first U.S. brand dedicated to Vietnamese specialty Robusta, said younger generations and local entrepreneurs are helping change perceptions of Vietnamese coffee.

She said they are drawing on a growing sense of pride to improve production, roasting, and the cafe experience, while seeking a stronger place for Vietnamese coffee on the global stage.

Greater attention to craftsmanship, quality, and the stories behind the beans is also helping challenge long-standing stereotypes about Vietnamese coffee, she added.

That creativity now extends far beyond black coffee or coffee with condensed milk. Egg coffee, coconut coffee, salt coffee, and drinks paired with tropical ingredients are becoming increasingly visible across the country.

Thomas Duong, assistant director of food and beverage at InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, said Vietnamese coffee offers “a world of creativity,” with variations featuring coconut, salt, mango, and even durian.

“Vietnamese baristas take pride in experimentation,” he said, adding that the trend reflects the adaptability of Vietnamese culture and its appetite for reinvention.