Explore the Vietnamese Coffee Culture in Hanoi
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Do you like coffee? Or at least to hang out in pretty cafés watching life go by on the street outside? Then you are in for a treat in Hanoi. The Vietnamese coffee culture is famous and has something to offer everyone, from the most caffein-infused coffee expert to you who don’t really like the taste of it.
Continue reading to see what is so special about Vietnamese coffee, what coffees you should try, and where to find them in Hanoi.
I visited Hanoi for the first time in 2024, and the first thing I did was find a rich and steaming hot cup of black Vietnamese coffee. The next thing I did, unrelated to the coffee I’d just had, was getting hospitalised with a kidney infection.
The kidney infection certainly put a damper on my well-planned Vietnam adventure. But, as soon as I was out of the hospital, I spent my remaining few days café-hopping in Hanoi. Most of my bucket list attractions are yet to be ticked off, but at least I got to taste some great coffee!
I went back in July 2025 and as the coffee-lover i am, I indulged in coffees and cute cafés for almost 4 weeks.
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Vietnamese coffee culture at a glimpse
Coffee was introduced to Vietnam by the French in the 19th century, and soon it became an important daily ritual among the people. Whether it’s a quick black coffee with condensed milk from a street vendor or a fancier cup in good company at a stylish café, coffee is enjoyed at all hours.
Today, Vietnam is the world’s second-largest coffee producer after Brazil, well known for its tasty beans. Most of the coffee is produced in the Central Highlands.
Everywhere you go in Hanoi, you see street vendors selling coffee. Enjoying a freshly brewed cup from a small plastic stool is a must-try. But with the number of cosy, quirky and pretty coffee shops around the city, you will likely want to pay a few dongs more to experience some of them.
Cafés are certainly not only for tourists. You will be surrounded by a mix of locals and foreigners chatting about life and sipping black gold.
What is so special about Vietnamese coffee?
Well, this is all good. But what makes coffee in Vietnam so special except for sitting on plastic stools? As with some foods introduced by the French, the Vietnamese adopted coffee and added their twist.
Are you interested in food culture too? Read my Hanoi food guide here.
Vietnamese coffee is often brewed using a traditional phin. A small metal drip filter that allows for a slow and intense extraction. The strong brew is ideal for mixing with other ingredients, most commonly condensed milk. However, although black coffee with condensed milk, served iced or hot, is the most popular among the locals, it isn’t what tourists mean by special when it comes to Vietnamese coffee. The special part is when it is mixed with food items not normally linked to coffee, such as eggs or yoghurt.
Unique coffees to try in Vietnam
Yes, you read that correctly. Coffee mixed with either egg or yoghurt are Vietnamese specialities and something to add to your list of things to try when visiting. It may sound a bit odd, but believe me, they know what they are doing.
Here are some variations of Vietnamese coffee that you should opt to try:
Fun activity: learn lantern making in Hoi An.
A must: Egg coffee in Hanoi
Egg coffee (ca phe trung) is by far the most famous of Vietnam’s speciality coffees and almost as much of an attraction as any other sight. It consists of a mix of raw egg yolk, sugar and condensed milk poured over a strong, espresso-style coffee. And you can get it both warm and with ice.
Why is it a must in Hanoi, you may ask? Even though you can get it all over the country, Hanoi is where it originates from. The idea of using eggs in the coffee happened in the years after WW2. A time when there was a serious shortage of food in the country and condensed milk was difficult to come by.
The coffee has a custardy taste to it and to me, it felt more like a dessert than just a coffee. A perfect to end a good meal!
Is it safe to drink egg coffee?
Given that raw egg is one of the main ingredients, this is a relevant question to ask. At least I did, not wanting to end up back in the hospital bed with a new type of infection. So, I did some research and while I can not guarantee it, several resources said that the eggs used by the more established cafés and restaurants in the tourist areas are UV-treated. I also made sure to read a bunch of reviews from people who had tried the coffee at the places I wanted to go. Focusing especially on the negative reviews, as I anticipate that people ending up being food-poisoned would leave a note. I found none and decided to take my chance and will surely do the same on my next visit.
I did, however, opt for the hot version hoping the coffee was warm enough to kill any remaining germs.
Yoghurt coffee
Yes, you read it correctly. Yoghurt coffee (ca phe cot dua) is another coffee unique to Vietnam. It is black coffee mixed with condensed milk, topped with ice and plain yoghurt.
I didn’t get to taste this, but it sure is on my list for next time.
Salt coffee
This gets weirder and weirder, right? Salt coffee (ca phe muoi) originated in Hue as lates as in 2010. This became my favourite coffee from the sip and I honestly want to go back to Vietnam just for this coffee!
To make the salty coffee, a pinch of salt is added to a base of black coffee with condensed milk. According to those who have tried it, it gives the perfect balance of bitterness from the coffee, sweetness from the milk and salt from well, the salt. And who doesn’t like the combination of sweet and salt?
I only tried it iced but you can also get it warm.
Coconut coffee
Coconut coffee (ca phe cot dua) is probably the least unique of the special coffees, but still something you should try. It consists of strong coffee with a mix of foamy coconut cream and condensed milk. The taste is on the sweeter side, but not as sweet as the egg coffee. If you want it warm or iced is up to you.
Coffee with a dash of coconut cream is part of my morning ritual at home, hence, the taste wasn’t new to me – but much, much better than the ones I make at home.
Black coffee
If you skimmed through the different coffee types above, you have probably realised that condensed milk is a key to Vietnamese coffee. But what if you just want a plain, black coffee?
Don’t fret, they have excellent black coffee too. Just don’t make the same mistake I did when ordering my first coffee. They definitely don’t call it “an americano”… Ask for ca phe den nong when you want a hot cup of coffee, and ca phe den da for an iced coffee.
If you want a regular coffee with (condensed) milk, ask for ca phe sua. Ca phe sua da will give you an iced coffee.
Or, simply order a black coffee or black coffee with milk.
Other drinks and food
Not a fan of coffee? No problem. Most of the unique coffees can also be made using hot chocolate instead. And most cafés offer plenty of other drinks as well. I tried both cold-brewed green tea and refreshing kombuchas in some of the places I stopped by.
Smoothies and homemade fruit juices are other staples on most café menus.
You won’t go hungry either. From pastries to full lunch menus, you will find cafés serving it.
Need more advice for Hanoi? Find my 13 best tips for first-time visitors here!
Cafés in Hanoi worth checking out
The number of charming cafés in Hanoi is almost mind-blowing. To narrow it down, here’s a list of places worth checking out (click on the names for exact location):
Café Giang:
Famous for inventing the iconic egg coffee, this historic café is a must-visit. I was afraid it would feel very touristy, but it turned out to be a busy place for locals and visitors alike.
Cafè Dinh:
Located in a cosy, hidden spot overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake, this café offers a retro vibe and strong coffee.
The Note Coffee:
Known for its colourful interior covered with handwritten notes from visitors. Visit for a fun and different café experience, good coffee and a fun vibe. Definitely on the touristy side, but still a nice place to hang out for a bit. Just don’t think about how they clean the tables covered with Post-it notes…
Café Pho Co:
Hidden behind a silk shop, this café offers stunning views of Hoan Kiem Lake from its rooftop, along with authentic Vietnamese coffee.
Loading T Café:
Loading T became one of my favourites on my second visit. It has an artsy vibe with colourful retro interior and a grumpy-looking cat walking around. The staff, on the other hand, was lovely. A great place to get away from the bustling streets for a bit.
Phê La:
A perfect place for a refreshing drink before or after exploring Hanoi’s Mural Street. From the second floor even has views to parts of the artsy street.
Cua Hang Ca Phe:
My favourite and probably the least touristy of them all. This was the first place I went back to on my second trip to Hanoi. Located between the flower shops on Ng. Cau Go, and next door to San Grand Hotel. Similar to some of the others, it has a retro vibe and offers artisan coffee for sitting down or takeaway. I loved sitting here, watching life unfold on the street in front of me.
Get ready for Vietnam with my 15 best travel tips!
Coffee making classes
If you really want to dive into Hanoi’s coffee culture, book a coffee-making workshop! Several cafés offer classes from 1-3 hours. Most of them teaches you to brew a perfect cup of egg coffee, plus one or two other variants.
Due to the strenght of the Vietnamese coffee, it’s advisable to book a morning class – and to eat something first.
This is on my list for next time. Then it’s just to buy some quality Robusta coffee to bring home (I can’t find it in Norway), and all is set for making the perfect brew at home.
You are ready to dive into the world of Vietnamese coffee
If you have read this far, I’m sure you are. Like with everything else travel-related, just get out there with an open mind and an interest in trying new things. The only thing you need to plan is enough time in your Hanoi itinerary to sit down and enjoy the city’s colourful café culture.
Have you tried any of the Vietnamese coffees yet? Which one is your favourite?
