Vietnamese coffee is much more than just coffee grown in Vietnam. It is a coffee culture in its own right, combining rich coffee, a slow brewing method, and the traditional metal phin filter.
But why does Vietnamese coffee taste different from the filter coffee familiar to Finns? Why is robusta used so much in Vietnam? And how is the famous Vietnamese iced coffee, or Cà Phê Sữa Đá, prepared?
In this guide, we walk you through the basics of Vietnamese coffee and direct you to Phinland's precise preparation and recipe instructions.
What is Vietnamese coffee?
Vietnam is one of the world's significant coffee-producing countries, and robusta, in particular, plays an important role in the country's coffee production.
Vietnamese coffee is often known for its strong and rich flavor. The coffee is often roasty, nutty, and cocoa-like, and it can also have earthy undertones.
One of the most important differences from the familiar Finnish filter coffee is the preparation method.
In Vietnam, coffee is traditionally prepared using a phin filter. It is a small metal filter through which hot water slowly drips through the coffee into a cup.
So, preparing coffee is not just a way to get caffeine quickly. Brewing with a phin is a peaceful ritual where the coffee is left to drip at its own pace.
Read also: Vietnamese coffee – a guide to taste and preparation →
Why is robusta used in Vietnam?
Coffee beans are generally divided into two well-known species: arabica and robusta.
Arabica is often known for its nuanced and more acidic flavor profiles. Robusta, on the other hand, is typically stronger, richer, and higher in caffeine.
The strong taste of robusta is perfectly suited to Vietnamese coffee culture. Especially when the coffee is combined with condensed milk and ice, the coffee needs enough strength so that its taste does not get lost under the other ingredients.
That is why Vietnamese coffee does not necessarily taste the same as the light arabica roast that many Finnish coffee drinkers are accustomed to.
And that is exactly its charm.
Vietnamese coffee does not try to be like Finnish filter coffee.
See also: Robusta or arabica? Differences in Vietnamese coffee →
What does Vietnamese coffee taste like?
Of course, there is no single taste for Vietnamese coffee. The flavor depends on factors such as the beans, roast level, grind size, and preparation method.
However, typical descriptions include:
- rich
- strong
- roasty
- nutty
- cocoa-like
- slightly earthy
If you are accustomed to light and mild-roast coffee, your first cup of Vietnamese coffee may seem surprisingly strong.
If, on the other hand, you like darker and richer coffees, Vietnamese coffee can be a very natural acquaintance.
What is a phin filter?
A phin is a small metal coffee filter used traditionally for Vietnamese coffee preparation.
It is a simple but ingenious tool. A separate coffee machine is not needed; the phin is placed directly on top of the cup.
The coffee drips through the phin slowly, usually one drop at a time.
This makes preparation a different experience than using a regular filter coffee machine.
With a phin, you don't need to brew coffee in a hurry.
Let the water do its work.
Explore the Phin guide → or see our phin filters →
Cà Phê Sữa Đá – the Vietnamese iced coffee classic
If Vietnamese coffee is not yet familiar to you, you have likely come across the name Cà Phê Sữa Đá.
It is a classic Vietnamese iced coffee that combines:
strong coffee + condensed milk + ice.
Hot coffee brewed with a phin is dripped over condensed milk. When the coffee is ready, it is stirred and served with ice.
The result is simultaneously strong, sweet, rich, and refreshing.
If you want to make the drink yourself, use Phinland's precise recipe on their dedicated recipe page. This ensures that the blog does not provide quantities or preparation instructions that deviate from the recipe.
See the exact Cà Phê Sữa Đá recipe →
Which Vietnamese coffee should you start with?
If Vietnamese coffee is a new acquaintance for you, you shouldn't make choosing the first coffee too difficult.
A good starting point is a rich coffee suitable for the Vietnamese preparation method.
Saigon Blend is designed specifically for this experience. It offers a rich and strong base for both black coffee made with a phin and sweet Cà Phê Sữa Đá.
If, on the other hand, you want to explore the stronger side of robusta, Robusta Premium offers its own option for that.
If you want to compare different beans, the Vietnam Tasting Box is a natural way to explore several options.
If you want a softer and more aromatic option, Arabica fits well. For those looking for a stronger and more intense taste, Culi offers another alternative.
Do you need a phin?
If you truly want to experience Vietnamese coffee culture, it is worth getting a phin.
You can certainly brew coffee with a regular filter machine, but the phin changes the entire preparation experience.
It is small, affordable, and easy to use. And most importantly: with it, you get close to the way Vietnamese coffee is traditionally prepared.
The easiest way to start
You don't need complicated coffee equipment to try Vietnamese coffee.
In practice, you only need:
coffee + phin + hot water.
If you want to try both Vietnamese coffee and the traditional preparation method for the first time, a starter kit is an easy way to begin.
In Phinland Coffee's starter kits, the coffee and phin filter come as a ready-made set, so you don't have to guess what is needed for the first brew.
Vietnamese coffee should be experienced slowly
Perhaps the best way to understand Vietnamese coffee is simple:
Don't rush.
Place the phin on the cup. Add the coffee. Pour the water. Watch as the first drops fall into the cup.
You can drink the coffee black, combine it with condensed milk, or make it into Vietnamese iced coffee.
Vietnamese coffee is not just about what is in the cup.
It is also about how you prepare it.
Try Vietnamese coffee at home
If you want to get to know Vietnamese coffee for the first time, start with the coffee and a phin.