Vietnamese coffee is famous for its rich, bold flavors and intense caffeine kick, often surprising first-time visitors. Many tourists describe their first sip as an unforgettable experience, with its strength catching them off guard.
British traveler Ben Maguire visited Ho Chi Minh City in February and was amazed by the powerful taste of Vietnamese coffee. He humorously remarked that after drinking it, he had enough energy to “power a small city.”
Maguire had heard about Vietnamese coffee’s intensity but wanted to experience it firsthand. On his first day, he ordered an iced black coffee, expecting a strong but manageable flavor. However, his reaction quickly went viral on social media, drawing nearly 400,000 views and 15,000 interactions.
In his post, he described the experience with humor:
- The first sip was rich and flavorful.
- The second sip felt like a jolt of energy.
- By the third sip, he joked that he was ready to launch a business, run for office, and learn Vietnamese in ten minutes.
Many visitors shared similar experiences, laughing at their initial shock when trying Vietnamese coffee.
A Drink That Packs a Punch
Some tourists even compared the strength of Vietnamese coffee to a powerful energy boost.
- French traveler Ingrid Baghag described it as “stronger than expected.”
- Dickie Suzuki from Hong Kong found two cups of iced milk coffee so intense that he had to return to his hotel, spending hours trying to shake off the caffeine rush.
- David Poppinga, an American visitor, recalled how drinking two cups of egg coffee in Hanoi left him feeling alert for an entire day.
Even experienced coffee drinkers find Vietnamese coffee surprisingly robust. Maguire admitted, “This is not your average cup of coffee—it’s rich, intense, and a wake-up call for first-timers.”
He also appreciated the phin brewing method, which he described as a slow, almost meditative process rather than a simple way to make coffee. During his week-long stay, he explored different varieties, including egg coffee, salt coffee, and iced milk coffee.
Sitting on small street-side stools, sipping coffee while watching the vibrant city life, Maguire felt that the atmosphere made the experience even more special.
A Lasting Impression on Visitors
Many travelers develop a deep appreciation for Vietnamese coffee after their trip. Hilary Hilton, an American tourist, admitted she missed the taste of iced milk coffee, joking that it was “not for the faint-hearted.”
Recently, Vietnamese coffee has gained global recognition, with several traditional varieties ranking among the world’s best coffees. Its unique preparation and rich flavors continue to impress coffee lovers worldwide.
What Makes Vietnamese Coffee So Unique?
According to Cuong Pham, a café owner in Hanoi, the secret behind Vietnamese coffee’s strength lies in its use of robusta beans, which contain nearly double the caffeine of arabica beans.
He explained that coffee plants naturally produce caffeine to protect themselves from pests. Since robusta is grown in low-altitude regions where pests are more common, it has a higher caffeine content for defense. In contrast, arabica, cultivated at higher elevations, contains less caffeine.
Because many foreign visitors are accustomed to milder arabica coffee from places like Ethiopia or Colombia, the bitterness and intensity of robusta-based Vietnamese coffee can come as a surprise.
To create a balanced flavor, many coffee shops mix robusta and arabica beans, adjusting the strength based on customer preferences. Robusta’s bold bitterness pairs well with condensed milk and whipped egg, whereas arabica’s acidity doesn’t complement these flavors as well.
A Must-Try Coffee Culture
For those looking to experience coffee in a new and exciting way, Vietnam offers a rich and unique coffee culture. Whether it’s the traditional phin-brewed coffee, the creamy egg coffee, or the refreshing iced milk coffee, the country’s coffee scene continues to captivate visitors from around the world.