There is a perhaps surprising amount of French influence in the country of Vietnam(interesting facts), most of which are after effects of the French invasion and colonization that occurred in the late 1800’s. French influence can be found in the architecture, the food, the language, and, most importantly, the coffee.

Vietnamese has a huge coffee culture; on the whole, the country is the second-largest producer of coffee in the world. The sheer number of coffee shops and stalls found in each and every city in Vietnam is definite evidence of this. As most coffee lovers know, the social aspect of coffee is one of the most important; you will often see large groups of Vietnamese family and friends sitting on plastic stools enjoying coffee at any time of the day. Coffee shops vary in size and décor; some are actual storefronts, while others are ‘mom and pop’ shops in the garage of a house. A typical Vietnamese coffee costs about $1 (sometimes less, sometimes more).

Most Vietnamese coffee is made through a small metal drip filter, which produces one cup of coffee in about five to ten minutes. There are various styles and add-ins that are special to Vietnam, so, be sure when visiting to try a cup (or ten).

Some of the most popular Vietnamese styles of coffee include:

Ca phe Da

This is just a plain Vietnamese iced coffee; most of the coffee in Vietnam is a dark roast, and it is most often served over ice.

Ca phe Den

This is how to order coffee if you want it served without milk (black coffee). Often, the Vietnamese will still add sugar to black coffee; if you want no sugar, be sure to say ‘khong duong.’

Ca phe Sua Da

One of Vietnam’s most popular specialties, ca phe sua da is iced coffee served with sweet and creamy condensed milk. Though this may sound odd to anyone who hasn’t tried it, condensed milk adds an amazing flavor, sweetness, and texture to coffee. Most often the condensed milk is in the bottom of the glass and the coffee brews on top; therefore, give it a good stir before enjoying.

Ca phe Trung

Another specialty in the Vietnamese coffee culture, ca phe trung is a must-try. Trung is the Vietnamese word for ‘egg,’ and this type of coffee is typically made with an egg yolk that is whipped with condensed milk…it sounds crazy, but it seriously tastes like dessert!