Origins in Vietnam
- Coffee was introduced by the French in the mid-19th century (around 1857).
- Vietnam’s climate (especially the Central Highlands) proved ideal for Robusta beans, which are stronger, more caffeinated, and cheaper to grow than Arabica.
- By the late 20th century, after economic reforms (Đổi Mới, 1986), Vietnam became the second-largest coffee producer in the world, mainly exporting Robusta.
☕ Vietnamese Coffee Culture
- Locally, coffee became part of daily social life, often enjoyed at roadside cafés.
- Unique preparation styles evolved:
- Phin filter drip → slow brew, strong flavor.
- Cà phê sữa đá (iced coffee with condensed milk).
- Cà phê trứng (egg coffee, invented in Hanoi in the 1940s).
- Coconut coffee and other regional variations.
🌍 Global Spread
- Exports & Instant Coffee
- Vietnam started exporting large amounts of Robusta beans, which are now used in instant coffee brands worldwide.
- Big global companies (Nestlé, Starbucks, etc.) source heavily from Vietnam.
- Vietnamese Diaspora
- After the Vietnam War, Vietnamese communities abroad (US, France, Australia, etc.) brought their coffee culture with them.
- Vietnamese-style coffee shops opened in immigrant neighborhoods, introducing the phin filter and condensed milk coffee to outsiders.
- Rise of Specialty Coffee
- In the 2000s–2010s, specialty coffee culture grew in the West.
- Cafés in cities like New York, London, Tokyo, and Paris began highlighting Vietnamese coffee methods, offering phin-brewed coffee, egg coffee, or iced milk coffee as exotic yet authentic drinks.
- Fusion & Trendy Adaptations
- Global cafés and chains now experiment with Vietnamese coffee:
- Vietnamese iced coffee in bubble tea shops.
- Egg coffee in dessert cafés.
- Cold brew with condensed milk.
- Social media (Instagram, TikTok) made Vietnamese coffee trendy worldwide.
- Global cafés and chains now experiment with Vietnamese coffee:
📈 Today’s Position in the World
- Vietnam contributes over 40% of global Robusta supply.
- The country is now investing in higher-quality Arabica (Da Lat, Son La regions) to tap into the specialty market.
- Vietnamese brands (e.g., Trung Nguyên Legend, Phúc Long, Highlands Coffee) are expanding internationally.
- Vietnamese coffee is no longer seen only as “cheap instant coffee,” but increasingly as a unique brewing culture with global appeal.
✨ In short:
Vietnamese coffee evolved from French colonial introduction → domestic adaptation with condensed milk → massive Robusta exports → diaspora spread → global specialty trend.