Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get our top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
Header image courtesy of Frank Mckenna (via Unsplash)
One of the most unique features of Vietnam is its home-grown coffee. Vietnamese coffee is a worldwide favourite and remains high in demand by tourists and locals alike. As the world’s second-largest explorer of java, Vietnam treats caffeine enthusiasts to hot cuppas, special to the industry.
In bustling Hồ Chí Minh City, nearly every street corner houses authentic Vietnamese coffee shops. So what exactly is Vietnamese coffee? A cup is typically made with locally-grown, dark-roasted beans, brewed with a French-style drip filter, followed by condensed milk to top (a substitute to Western methods). Pop by some of these local suppliers to get your Vietnamese coffee fix on a trip to Hồ Chí Minh City.
As Hồ Chí Minh City’s first speciality coffee roaster, The Workshop does its coffee a bit different from your typical brew. Sample different styles of coffee here, from Wave and V60 to classic espressos. Although the coffee stop serves international flavours, its locally-sourced beans are ideal for a Vietnamese brew. Interiors are chic and modern, boasting high ceilings, polished floors, and repurposed timber throughout. Scan the menu for more insight on different tasting notes, geography, and date stamps on each batch of beans.
The Workshop, 27 Ngô Đức Kế, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh City, Vietnam | (+84) 28 3824 6801
With two outposts in District 1, and one in District 3, L’Usine has been serving the Vietnamese coffee scene since 2010. Visitors can get the best of everything it offers, from the café to the boutique and the gallery. The flagship café is perched near the Caravelle and Continental hotels, where many hidden boutiques began. People stop by for takeaways, or they stay the day to utilise the working space or simply catch up with old friends over a hot cuppa. Plus, the interiors are absolutely exquisite.
L’Usine, locations across Hồ Chí Minh City | (+84) 34 2800 222
Famed for its big analogue clock, with the hashtag #somewhereinsaigon, The Loft Saigon is nestled in an old colonial building off Lý Tự Trọng and Đồng Khởi street. The rustic space is minimalistic and elegant, paying tribute to loft-inspired designs. There are actually two locations, about a block apart from each other. Both withhold a laid back ambience. Grab a coffee at this little hidden gem for a taste of authentic Vietnam.
The Loft Saigon, locations across Hồ Chí Minh City | (+84) 90 1840 901
M2C stands for modern meets culture, and the decor reflects just that. A simple and contemporary café in Ho Chi Minh, M2C focuses on pursuing the better things in life—amidst the social and business chaos which surrounds us in everyday life. Retreat from the fast-paced outdoors at this café, which is secluded away in a cosy alley in the city. Coffee is at the core of Saigonese culture, so visitors come and go to pick up their wake-me-up brew any time of the day.
M2C, locations across Hồ Chí Minh City | (+84) 08 393 028 86
Tucked away on a little lane near the Fine Arts Museum, Chất Coffee Roasters & Bistro serves up a delicious brew in a rustic environment. Recognised for its impressive roasting machine and equipment, the coffee shop features wood and steel interiors. Visit when the live band performances are on for an entertaining caffeine experience.
Chat Coffee Roasters & Bistro, 55/1 Lê Thị Hồng Gấm, Phường Nguyễn Thái Bình, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh City, Vietnam | (+84) 28 6685 3391
A popular spot amongst expats and local entrepreneurs, i.d Café is a cosy, two-floor space located in District 1. There’s a nostalgic feeling here, courtesy to the 1970s-style armchairs, vinyl records, and old-school typewriters and antiques placed around the shop. Baristas are friendly and serve a variety of Vietnamese and European fusion dishes and beverages to try out. It’s also only a five-minute walk away from Bến Thành Market, perfect for post-shopping relaxation.
i.d Café, 34D Thủ Khoa Huân, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh City, Vietnam | (+84) 28 3822 2901
Taking you back to the 1980s with its old-school theme, Cong Caphe features dim lighting, mellow music, and rustic décor. The chain coffee shop holds outposts across Vietnam, with several spots in Hồ Chí Minh City. Deemed as one of the best local cafés in the region, the venue is best known for its signature iced coconut coffee—quench your thirst with this refreshing beverage on your next visit.
Cong Caphe, locations across Hồ Chí Minh City | (+84) 91 1811 166
Led by Vietnam’s first and only barista champion Tr’ân Hân and AeroPress champion Le Dan Nha Thi, Bosgaurus Coffee is decked in all-white for a laboratory-like setting. The popular space is frequented by locals and expats, reigning in coffee lovers from across the globe.
Bosgaurus Coffee, 92 Nguyễn Hữu Cảnh, Villa 1D5, Saigon Pearl, Bình Thạnh, Hồ Chí Minh City, Vietnam | (+84) 90 1426 877
Faye Bradley is a freelance writer based in Hong Kong, covering topics in travel, wellness, F&B, and the arts. As the editor and business development executive for Cha Siu Papers Times and Compare Retreats, Faye has experience in writing predominantly about luxury travel and well-being. With a keen eye for finding hidden gems, exploring new destinations, and tasting best-of-the-best cuisines, she continues to pursue her love for writing about travel and visiting remote lands. You can find her by the pool with a good book and a mojito in hand.
Top