The Coffee Diaries: A Map to Vietnam’s Coffee Spots (FREE)
Sa Pa
Tried out: Cà Phê Sữa Nóng (Hot Milk Coffee). Nothing special, just your regular coffee you'd find at a hotel breakfast buffet.
What I loved: The vibe of the place with a view of Sa Pa Lake. Plus, I met the cutest fluffy dog and cat who will follow you to your seat!
Tried out: Cà Phê Dừa (Coconut Coffee) & Cà Phê Sữa Chua (Yogurt Coffee)
The Coconut Coffee was pretty good. It’s exactly what you'd expect from a coconut milk slushie mixed with coffee. That said, I think other local coffee shops might have better versions. The Yogurt Coffee, though, was a personal fave. It might sound a little odd at first, but the tanginess of the yogurt and the mild acidity of the coffee go together surprisingly well.
Tried out: Cà Phê Trứng (Egg coffee). I haven’t had much egg coffee, but the one I had in HCMC was amazing. This one was a bit of a letdown.
Tried out: Hot Cocoa. I know, not coffee (LOL), but they do have a decent coffee selection. As for the price, it’s WAY overpriced (about 120K VND for a cup) for the taste. It's not bad, but not amazing either.
What I loved: The interior and the sea of clouds view. It's also the perfect spot to rest after climbing Fansipan.
*The coffee shop isn’t on maps, but it’s close to this pin. It’s called Hai Yen Coffee & Tea.
Tried out: Cà Phê Muối (Salt Coffee). It was also a bit of a letdown since I had a better one in HCMC, but still pretty good. It had a nice balance of saltiness, sweetness, and bitterness.
What I loved: The view. The café’s balcony faces the town, so you get an awesome view of the Sa Pa lights, especially at night.
Tried out: Hot Coconut Coffee. I liked the hot version, though it was a bit on the pricey side.
The coffee shop is a little out of the way, located in Ta Van Village (about 10km from Sa Pa town). It’s a nice spot to chill if you’re planning to visit the village.
Tried out: Bạc Xỉu (Vietnamese white coffee). Probably the best coffee I’ve had in Sa Pa. It’s thick and creamy but not overly sweet, perfectly balanced with strong black coffee. It’s kind of like a latte, but there’s something unique about it that I can’t quite put my finger on.
If you want to stock up on instant or ground coffee, check this place out! They’ve got a nice variety with brands like Highlands, Trung Nguyen, and Mitix. I also compared the prices, and they’re cheaper than what you’d find at coffee stores in Hanoi’s Old Quarter.
Ha Noi
Tried out: PhinDi Hạnh Nhân (Iced Coffee with Almond & Fresh Milk). Hands down my favorite. Honestly lost track of how many times I ordered it during my week-long stay in Northern Vietnam.
Tried out: Mê Dừa Non (Young Coconut Coffee). Tastes a lot like regular coconut coffee, but this one’s not in slushie form (or at least I don’t think it is).
Purchased: Da Lat & Traditional Vietnamese Coffee Beans
I’ve only tried the Da Lat beans so far, and they’re pretty acidic—perfect for iced Americanos (since I like mine with a bit of a sour kick). They’ve got plenty of other locally sourced beans here, so definitely worth checking out!
Purchased: Kopi Luwak (Weasel Coffee)
This shop’s got locally sourced beans too, just like Cafe Hue, and the prices are pretty similar. What I loved, though, was that they let me do some taste testing (both coffee and tea), which made the whole experience a lot more fun and enjoyable.
If you're looking for a great selection of cheap instant and pre-ground coffee, I highly recommend this grocery store! Got a box of instant salt and coconut coffee for less than 50K VND each. If you're into Trung Nguyen Coffee (especially Sang Tao), they've got all the blends, and it's way cheaper than most of the shops I've visited.
Ninh Binh
Tried out: Cà Phê Đen (Vietnamese Black Coffee). I actually really liked their plain black coffee! Maybe it’s because this place is a family-run homestay and restaurant, but even their regular brew just hits the spot.
Not exactly a coffee shop, but this whole walking street is lined with carts selling traditional coffee.
Tried out: Phin Sữa Đá (Iced Coffee with Condensed Milk). Definitely one of the strongest versions I’ve had in Vietnam!
What I loved: This exact spot has an amazing view of Kỳ Lân Lake, which lights up at night like something out of a fairytale. It gives off mini Hoi An vibes!
Ho Chi Minh City
Couldn’t find the shop’s exact location on maps, but it’s right here, next to Bamboo Bến Thành Coffee.
Tried out: Cà Phê Muối (Salt Coffee). This is the salt coffee I mentioned earlier that I loved. The salted foam on top? Absolute chef’s kiss!
Tried out: Cà Phê Trứng (Egg Coffee). Not totally sure if this is the authentic version since here was my first time trying egg coffee, But it was SO good that I really didn’t care. Given the shop’s name, I’m guessing they specialize in egg coffee. They even sell instant egg coffee powder to take home!
Tried out: Cà Phê Đen Đá (Iced Black Coffee). If you’re after a more homey, comforting coffee, head over to Ben Thanh Market. You’ll find spots run by aunties serving up simple but strong brews. Plus, if you’re looking to bring some beans home, you can grab them here too. I’d recommend picking up the Coconut Coffee Beans!
And this is by far the list of coffee shops and flavors I’ve tried in Vietnam . Again, I’m no expert—just sharing my personal coffee journey and what I’ve enjoyed along the way.
I wish to keep adding to this list (hopefully with another trip to Vietnam soon), so if you have any comments or recommendations, feel free to reach out here or on TikTok @aquilarubela!
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