Vietnamese coffee: leave time for a little pause

A café stop can be a useful pause between visits. It gives your day a little space without needing another attraction or reservation. This is an introduction to a few menu terms rather than a review of individual cafés.

Give the phin a moment

The tourism authority describes the phin as a small metal drip filter. If your order arrives with one above the cup, allow the coffee to finish dripping before you mix it. The pace of the preparation is part of the pause; leave yourself time before the next appointment.

Recognise a few names

Cà phê sữa đá is iced coffee with condensed milk. Cà phê trứng is egg coffee, while cà phê muối uses salted cream. The tourism authority links the latter style with Hue. Menus and recipes vary, so ask about the ingredients and serving style when choosing your drink.

Make the stop fit your day

Choose somewhere along the walk or local journey you already intend to make. Check the menu and current price before ordering. A shaded seat or quieter room may suit you better than travelling across a city for a photograph.

Our Hanoi, Hue, and Ho Chi Minh City outlines can help you place the pause between the other parts of your day. The photograph above was taken in Da Nang; it illustrates a café moment rather than a reviewed venue.