How to make Vietnamese coffee
A complete guide to making Vietnamese coffee at home, including the ingredients, equipment, where to buy them, their price, and a step-by-step video tutorial.
Published at
5 Aug 2026
Introduction
Vietnamese coffee is one of the things I always recommend to friends who visit Vietnam. Its strong, rich, and incredibly simple to make once you have the right ingredients. Unlike espresso machines or complicated brewing methods, all you need is a small metal coffee filter called a phin, some ground coffee, and a little patience while it slowly drips into your cup.
In this guide, Ill show you exactly how I make Vietnamese coffee at home, including the coffee blend I use, the equipment youll need, where you can buy everything, and a step-by-step video that walks you through the entire process.
What Youll Need
Before we start brewing, youll need a few simple ingredients and tools. Most of them can be found at a Vietnamese grocery store, an Asian supermarket, or online if you dont have one nearby. These are the exact items I use to make Vietnamese coffee at home.
Coffee
I use a blend of two different Mộc Phát coffees:
- Mộc Phát Chồn Sáng Tạo
- Mộc Phát Chồn Đặc Biệt
Before blending them together, I gently roast each coffee for a short time to bring out a richer aroma. This is my personal preference, and its the combination Ive found tastes best. You can certainly use just one of them, but I recommend trying the blend if you can find both.
Vietnamese Coffee Phin
A Vietnamese coffee phin is a small metal filter that slowly brews coffee by letting hot water drip through the grounds. Mine is just a regular phin with no specific size. I simply fill it to about two-fifths with coffee, which works well for a single cup.
Sweetened Condensed Milk
Sweetened condensed milk (optinal and any kind will work) is what gives Vietnamese coffee its signature creamy sweetness. Add as much or as little as you like depending on your taste. I usually start with a couple of spoonfuls and adjust from there.
Where to Buy
If youre visiting Vietnam, the easiest place to buy everything is a local market (chợ). Youll usually find better prices there than at supermarkets. Supermarkets are still a great option if you prefer the convenience, but expect to pay a little more for the same products.
| Item | Where to Buy | Estimated Price |
|---|---|---|
| Mộc Phát Coffee (500 g) | Local market (chợ), supermarket | 45,000–75,000 VND per bag |
| Vietnamese Coffee Phin | Local market (chợ), supermarket | 10,000–30,000 VND |
| Sweetened Condensed Milk (1.284 kg) | Local market (chợ), supermarket | 75,000–100,000 VND |
If youre making Vietnamese coffee for the first time, I recommend buying a smaller can of condensed milk instead of the large 1.284 kg box shown in this guide. Its much cheaper and will still last you quite a while unless you drink Vietnamese coffee every day.
One last tip: if someone tries to sell you a regular coffee phin for much more than 30,000 VND, youre probably overpaying. A standard aluminum or stainless steel phin is inexpensive and works perfectly—you dont need an expensive one to make great Vietnamese coffee.
My Coffee Blend
One thing that makes my Vietnamese coffee a little different is that I dont use a single coffee. Instead, I blend two different Mộc Phát coffees together after giving each of them a gentle roast to bring out more aroma.
The ratio I use is:
- 30% Mộc Phát Chồn Sáng Tạo
- 70% Mộc Phát Chồn Đặc Biệt
I like this combination because it produces a stronger cup with a fuller body and a long-lasting aftertaste. It works especially well if you enjoy drinking Vietnamese coffee black or simply prefer a bolder flavor.
That said, this is only my personal recipe. Coffee is a matter of personal taste, and there isn't a single "correct" blend. Feel free to experiment with different ratios or even use just one of the two coffees until you find the flavor you enjoy the most.