Vietnamese coffee is a signature aspect in any Vietnam travel thanks to its signature flavor profile. Thus, how to make Vietnamese coffee is one of the most frequently asked questions from tourists to Vietnam. In this guide, you can immerse yourself into Vietnamese culture and learn how to make Vietnamese coffee at home.

1. How to make Vietnamese coffee with a phin filter?

To learn how to make Vietnamese coffee the right way, it is important to know what sets it apart from other coffees. The difference is undoubtedly the phin filter, which has etched its name into Vietnamese coffee culture as an indispensable item in a Vietnamese coffee recipe.

1.1. Preparation

First and foremost, you will need to prepare Vietnamese coffee beans or ground coffee. There are plenty of stores and markets to find these products, so be sure to weigh your options.

Other items required to make Vietnam drip coffee are:

Phin filter: You can use either a ceramic, aluminum, stainless steel, or plastic filter for your coffee. Aluminum tends to be the go-to choice for most traditional cafes in Vietnam.
Coffee cup: It is highly recommended that you use a glass cup.
Boiled water

Some tips on how to make Vietnamese drip coffee are:

Blanch the utensils with boiled water and pat dry before using.
Make sure that the phin filter is of the best quality (without rust or defects).
The water should be around 95 - 100°C.
Use ground coffee with just the right texture, not too rough nor too fine.

1.2. Brewing

Here are the specific steps for you to learn how to make Vietnamese filter coffee:

Add 25 grams of ground coffee into the filter and lightly shake to even it out. Insert the press with just enough pressure to let the water in moderately to soak the coffee.
Pour 20 milliliters of hot water into the filter and let it sit for 2 minutes. This is optional but you can also place the filter on its cap and add a little water to warm up the coffee from all sides.
After 2 minutes, add 60 - 80 milliliters of hot water back into the filter, put the lid on, and place the filter on top of your coffee cup. Wait as the coffee drips into the cup and you will get yourself a delicious cup of homemade Vietnamese coffee.

>>> Check out other Vietnamese drinks and how to make them at home!

2. FAQs on making traditional Vietnamese coffee with a phin filter

Learning how to make Vietnamese coffee is pretty straightforward but it requires some experience to produce the best possible drink. Here are some common questions about how is Vietnamese coffee made:

2.1. What is the coffee-to-water ratio for Vietnamese coffee?

The coffee-to-water ratio is of the utmost importance when learning how to make Vietnamese coffee. Usually, it is roughly 1:4. For example, you will need 80 - 100 milliliters of water for 25 grams of coffee. In other words, for 3 teaspoons of ground coffee, you must add water until it nearly fills the filter. Additionally, for Vietnamese ground coffee, especially Tay Nguyen coffee, you should use filtered water to ensure the best result.

2.2. How much condensed milk is used for Vietnamese coffee?

Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk has a significantly richer flavor profile compared to solely black coffee. There is no particular rule for how much condensed milk to add. In fact, it is entirely up to personal preferences. Many people prefer using milk to diversify the taste and make the coffee easier to drink. In this case, only 1 - 2 teaspoons should be enough. On the other hand, loads of people love “bac xiu,” which has more milk than coffee for the richness. Additionally, you can substitute condensed milk with fresh milk or sugar.

2.3. Is it advisable to drink hot or iced Vietnamese coffee?

Much like condensed milk, this is a matter of personal preference. Both regular and Vietnamese iced coffee have distinctive flavor notes. Hot coffee generally is stronger and may have some acidic flavors. Conversely, iced coffee is easier to drink but less rich. It is also easy to learn how to make Vietnamese iced coffee. The progress is pretty much the same except the last step. All you need to do is add some ice cubes or shaved ice into the finished coffee.

>>> Try the best Vietnamese coffee at the popular coffee shops in Vietnam!

3. Guide to making other variations of Vietnamese coffee

Learning how to make Vietnamese coffee will open up a ton of options for your coffee game. Vietnam has various variations of the iconic drink, and the following are the 4 most notable ones.

3.1. How to make Vietnamese egg coffee?

Loads of coffee aficionados love to learn how to make Vietnamese egg coffee to replicate the richness and boldness of egg coffee in Vietnam. These steps will show you how to make Vietnamese coffee with a twist:

Make the coffee as usual with the phin filter.
Separate the white and yolk of an egg. Place the yolk in a bowl and add 3 teaspoons of honey and 2 teaspoons of granulated sugar. Using a whisk, whip the mixture until it turns thick and golden.
Prepare a cup with condensed milk. Add the coffee to make another layer and pour the egg cream on top. You can also add cinnamon or cocoa powder for more flavors.
To drink egg coffee the right way, use a spoon and stir gently. Avoid mixing the layers together immediately because that will cool the coffee down and make the egg cream smell bad.

If you want to taste what this variation is all about, egg coffee in Hanoi is the cream of the crop.

3.2. How to make Vietnamese coconut coffee?

Coconut coffee is a variation for people with a sweet tooth, combining coconut milk and condensed milk to double the richness. To make coconut coffee, there are a few more things to prepare. In terms of ingredients, coconut milk and dried coconut are must-have items. For utensils, you will need to prepare a blender and shaker.

Make the coffee with a phin filter.
Add coconut milk and condensed milk with some ice into the blender and blend until smooth.
Add the coffee into a shaker or bottle. Shake until it foams then pour it back into another cup.
Pour the milk mixture in slowly to maintain the foam of the coffee and keep the stiff peak of the milk.
Sprinkle some dried coconut or other toppings based on your preference.
Add ice and enjoy. However, do not add too much to avoid the melted ice diluting the drink.

3.3. How to make Vietnamese salt coffee?

Salt coffee is a unique variation of coffee in Hue that has started a trend in Vietnamese coffee culture. Here is how to make good Vietnamese coffee with salt:

Make the coffee with your phin filter. Only for this version, add a small pinch of salt alongside the coffee powder.
While waiting for the drip coffee, add cream, milk, and a bit of salt into a bowl and whisk until smooth and thick.
Add condensed milk and ice into the coffee then pour the salted cream on top. You can also sprinkle some cocoa powder for garnish.

3.4. How to make Vietnamese coffee with yogurt?

Coffee may not be the best choice for your skin if it is your daily drink of choice. Yogurt, however, is tremendous for skin health thanks to its vitamins and other nutrients. Combining the two will give you a delicious drink that blends the bold flavor of coffee and the richness of yogurt. There are three ways to make this drink, and they all require you to make the coffee with your phin filter first.

Add yogurt, lime juice, and condensed milk into a glass with shaved ice. Pour the coffee on top and mix well.
If you have a blender, blend the yogurt, lime juice, and condensed milk into a smooth mixture. Add some ice and pour the coffee in last.
The recipe is the same if you use a shaker. Make the yogurt mixture with lime juice and condensed milk then give it a shake. Lastly, add the coffee.

>>> Find out how to drink Vietnamese coffee the right way!

Learning how to make Vietnamese coffee will let you enjoy this incredible beverage anywhere. Vietnamese coffee is easy to make with the right ingredients and tools, so don’t hesitate to roll up your sleeves and start brewing. Also, the drink is highly customizable, with many popular variations that will take your coffee game to the next level.

If you are looking to learn how to make Vietnamese coffee, a trip to the country will surely help. Take a vacation to Tay Nguyen, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, Hoi An, Ha Long, etc. to sample the best coffee that Vietnam has to offer.

To accompany you on your coffee exploration journey, Vinpearl’s hotels and resorts offer excellent hospitality experiences with ocean-view rooms, spas, golf courses, fine dining, etc. Additionally, you can spend some time at the entertainment complexes of VinWonders to enjoy a colorful cultural experience with multiple games and shows.