Gia Lai Coffee Festival 2025: Basalt Unites Three Regions in Celebration of Vietnam’s Coffee Ecosystem

At the beginning of May, the curtains closed on the Gia Lai Coffee Festival 2025, after two consecutive days of rich activities, professional encounters, and sensory experiences held at Dai Doan Ket Square in the heart of Pleiku City. Held under the slogan “Basalt Crosses Three Regions,” the event was more than a metaphor—it was a tangible expression of unity across Vietnam’s north, central, and south, converging through the shared language of coffee.

The festival brought together a wide array of participants from all corners of the coffee world: farmers, roasters, extraction specialists, scientific researchers, and representatives of local and international institutions, along with a passionate audience of coffee lovers from across Vietnam and beyond.

This year’s edition distinguished itself through an immersive lineup of activities that blended technical mastery with cultural expression. Among them were professional cupping sessions to identify top-quality beans; live demonstrations of roasting and brewing techniques grounded in scientific precision; group competitions between barista teams; open forums for dialogue and exchange between local and international experts; and a musical evening inspired by the spirit of Vietnam’s Central Highlands.

More than forty coffee samples were presented throughout the festival, each having undergone rigorous quality assessment by seasoned sensory experts, affirming Gia Lai’s fast-rising status as a hub for high-grade Robusta aligned with specialty standards.

Nguyen Thi Nga, Deputy Director of the Nam Yang Agricultural Service Cooperative in Dak Doa district, remarked:

“Our participation aims to offer pure, high-quality coffee to visitors. This event is not merely promotional—it’s a platform for connection and storytelling, where we can share the journey of Gia Lai coffee with guests from across Vietnam and the world. Through it, we aspire to elevate our coffee to the ranks of the specialty category.”

Nguyen Truong Minh, a resident of Chu Prong district, shared his enthusiasm:

“I was truly impressed by the diversity of flavor profiles among Gia Lai’s coffees. Each variety carries a distinct character, shaped by its roasting and brewing techniques. It was a delightful and inspiring experience.”

From further afield, Swedish visitor Jo-Linn Ryner commented:

“I’m glad to be here. I previously worked on a coffee farm in Gia Lai and saw firsthand how the bean’s journey—from soil to cup—is filled with care and craftsmanship. The people here pour their hearts into what they create, and it shows in the quality of their coffee.”

At the close of the festival, the organizing committee announced the results of the Barista Teamwork Competition:

• First Prize: Little Snakes Team

• Second Prize: Sofar Team

• Third Prize: UR Team

The festival also honored two standout coffee samples:

• A natural-processed sample from Bien Ho Farm

• A honey-processed sample from Tamba Farm

Nguyen Thi Thanh Tam, Director of the organizing company and head of the festival’s organizing committee, explained that the event is grounded in the philosophy of “From Farm to Cup.” She added:

“We hope this event helps strengthen the connection between farmers, roasters, and scientific institutions, and showcases the role of young people who have returned to their hometowns to grow clean coffee using modern science and technology, promoting their products through digital trade.”

She emphasized:

“Young people are the cornerstone of the future. They bring with them innovative thinking that fuses traditional agriculture with modern marketing tools—enabling the coffee bean to reach new heights of value.”

Meanwhile, Nguyen Van Hoa, head of the quality assessment lab in Vietnam under the international Coffee Quality Institute, stated:

“We evaluated more than forty samples from Gia Lai producers, and the best among them will be nominated for the upcoming specialty coffee competition. These entries represent a clear shift toward specialization and excellence.”

He noted that this year’s festival marked a significant evolution compared to its inaugural edition in 2023, in terms of activity variety, breadth of participation, and the depth of its message.

There is no doubt that Gia Lai Coffee Festival 2025 has cemented the province’s position as one of the world’s foremost producers of high-quality Robusta. It successfully bridged the full chain of coffee—from the farm to the lab, and from the palate to the market.

Amid the richness of flavors and the depth of dialogue, a new vision of Vietnam’s coffee future emerged—a vision defined by quality, integration, innovation, and identity.