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Vietnam coffee
2PROD. RANK · No.02Vietnam
Asia · ORIGIN No.02

ベトナム

The world's #2 producer and the largest robusta origin.

robustaarabicawashed / natural
Log a tasting
§ 01
KEY FIGURES

Key figures

Production rank
World No.2
Asia
Annual production
30.0M bags
60kg / bag
Recommended roast
Dark
dark
Certifications
fair_trade
Certified
§ 02
OVERVIEW

Overview

The world's #2 producer and the largest robusta origin. Used in huge volumes for instant and canned coffee.

§ 03
HISTORY · TERROIR · CULTURE

History & culture

Vietnam is the world’s #2 coffee producer and the largest exporter of Robusta. Cultivation began in the mid-19th century under French colonial rule and exploded after the Đổi Mới (renovation) reforms of the late 20th century. The reddish basalt soils of the Central Highlands (Tây Nguyên) support vast Robusta farms, and in recent years delicate Arabica has begun to grow in the highlands around Da Lat in the south.

The world’s largest Robusta exporter

About 90% of Vietnam’s coffee is Robusta. The relatively low, hot and humid Central Highlands suit this heat- and disease-tolerant species, and Buôn Ma Thuột in Đắk Lắk province is called the "Robusta capital." Robusta is more bitter and heavier-bodied than Arabica, with roughly twice the caffeine. It is consumed worldwide in instant coffee and as the backbone of dark espresso blends — and Vietnam is the center of that supply. The heavy chocolate, nut and earthy register evolved hand in hand with the traditional way of drinking it: with condensed milk.

Cultivation that began under French rule

Coffee is said to have arrived in Vietnam around 1857 with French missionaries. Arabica came first, but after rust epidemics the country shifted to Robusta, which took root as a colonial export crop. After the 1986 Đổi Mới market reforms, planted area expanded rapidly under government direction, and through the 1990s–2000s Vietnam climbed to second place behind Brazil. That sprint of expansion moved world coffee prices themselves, making Vietnam a major player in the international coffee economy.

Vietnamese coffee culture, and recent Arabica

In Vietnam, "cà phê sữa đá" — strong coffee brewed through a metal phin filter over condensed milk — is the national drink, and the country has grown its own café culture, including egg coffee topped with whipped yolk. Meanwhile, above 1,400m around Da Lat in Lâm Đồng province, specialty production using Catimor and Bourbon-line Arabica is spreading. To the familiar image of "the Robusta country," a new face — delicate highland Arabica — is being added.

§ 04
FLAVOR PROFILE

Flavor profile

Production world shareNo. 2
Max altitude max altitude1,600 m
Growing regions growing regions2 regions

Computed from all of Vietnam’s regions. Max altitude references the SCA-recommended 1,500–2,200m.

FloralFruityAcidityChocolateNuttySpiceBodySweetness
§ 05
FOOD PAIRING

Food pairing

Brownie
deepens the chocolate
Tiramisu
richness melds for a long finish
Hazelnut
boosts the toasty notes
Scone
adds toasty depth
Biscotti
complements rustic sweetness
Cheese
salt draws out the richness
§ 06
GROWING REGIONS · 2

Growing regions

§ 07
BREW GUIDE

Recommended brewing

Vietnamese drip (phin)
95℃ · Medium
Temp
95
Ratio
1:8
Time
5 min
Grind
Medium

The authentic style: condensed milk in the bottom, then wait patiently. Dense and rich.

Cold brew
4℃ · Coarse
Temp
4
Ratio
1:8
Time
12 h
Grind
Coarse

Mellows robusta’s bitterness. Add sweetness for a Vietnamese-coffee feel.

§ 08
RELATED READING

Reading about Vietnam

§ 09
WHERE TO BUY

Find Vietnam coffee

Check stock and prices on each retailer. Links marked “PR” are affiliate links; a purchase may earn this site revenue.

§ 10
ROASTERS

Roasters carrying this origin

§ 11
SUBSCRIPTIONS

Subscriptions delivering this origin

Subscription
§ 12
SIMILAR ORIGINS

Similar origins

§ 13
KINDRED REGIONS

Kindred-flavor regions

Starting from flavors common to all of Vietnam’s regions, here are 3 similar regions from other countries.