Vietnam's Booming Coffee Culture Extends Far Beyond Just Cultivation – CoffeeTalk

Every morning, Tran Phuong Huyen begins her day at a Hanoi cafe, working on her laptop as she enjoys a cup of coffee. This routine, which started in university to help her stay awake during late-night studies, has evolved into her preferred workspace for meetings and brainstorming sessions with colleagues. As of 2025, Vietnam boasted over 500,000 cafes, reflecting a rich coffee culture that has developed over more than a century.

Coffee was first introduced to Vietnam in the late 19th century, along with the phin brewing method, influenced by French practices. According to Pham Minh Quan from the School of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Arts, the French not only brought coffee trees but also a comprehensive coffee culture that includes roasting and brewing techniques, and the establishment of cafes as social hubs. Initially an indulgence for French officials, coffee gradually became popular among ordinary Vietnamese citizens by the early 20th century.

Nguyen Duc Hieu, a coffee researcher and owner of a family cafe, notes that Vietnamese people favor bold flavors, which made coffee a staple of daily life. The cafes in Vietnam serve as modern-day gathering places reminiscent of early coffeehouses in France and England where discussions of philosophy and politics flourished, and Huyen emphasizes that they offer an inviting alternative to home and office environments.

In addition to its social significance, coffee cultivation has dramatically impacted the livelihoods of farmers in Vietnam’s Central Highlands, a region key to the country’s coffee production. Tran Dinh Trong of the Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Association highlights the shift from rice to coffee farming, which has significantly increased farmers’ incomes. H’Moan, a local farmer, reports a 25% income rise due to sustainable coffee practices, improving her family’s quality of life and supporting her children’s education. The coffee industry has proven to be robust, with Vietnamese coffee exports reaching a record high of $8.6 billion last year, up 52.5% from the previous year.

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