What to Drink in Vietnam: A Guide to Refreshing Vietnamese Beverages

Vietnam has an exciting variety of drinks that reflect the country's tropical climate, diverse ingredients, and unique culture. From bold coffee to sweet dessert beverages, here’s a guide to some of the most popular drinks you must try in Vietnam. See our best choices below for What to drink in Vietnam!

Coffee

• Cà phê Sữa Đá: A famous Vietnamese iced coffee made with strong drip coffee and sweetened condensed milk. It’s rich, bold, and refreshing.
• Cà phê Đen Đá: Black iced coffee, often very strong and served over ice.
• Cà phê Trứng: Egg coffee is a creamy, sweet concoction made with egg yolk, sugar, condensed milk, and robusta coffee. Popular in Hanoi.

You should drink local coffee are iced coffee with condensed milk, iced black coffee and egg coffee.

Iced Tea

Commonly served at restaurants and street stalls, this unsweetened iced tea made from green or jasmine tea leaves is light, refreshing, and free in many places!

Tea is sold commonly in ‘quan coc’ in front the gate of bus terminals, train stations, schools, offices, etc.

Sugar Cane Juice

Freshly pressed sugarcane juice, often mixed with a bit of citrus for a tangy twist. It’s a sweet and cooling drink, especially popular in the summer.

A 50-cent cup of sugarcane juice can cure thirsty and temporary hunger.

Beer

Beer (Bia hơi) is a popular local draft beer, typically enjoyed in small roadside stalls or local beer joints. It’s light, refreshing, and inexpensive.

A visit to Vietnam is not complete without a pilgrimage to try ‘bia hoi’ (fresh beer).

 Coconut Water

 Fresh coconut water is a popular thirst quencher sold by street vendors. You can drink it straight from the coconut with a straw, offering a hydrating, natural refreshment.

Here, it's drunk straight out of the coconut - and this coconut water is grassier, sweeter, and more full-flavored than anything you'll find in a package - trying it is like drinking raw milk for the first time.

 Fruit Smoothies

Vietnamese smoothies, or sinh tố, are made with fresh tropical fruits such as mango, avocado, dragon fruit, and coconut, blended with ice and sometimes a bit of condensed milk. They’re refreshing, nutritious, and available in endless varieties.

Healthy smoothies can be easily found at any coffee shop or even on the streets.

You can have a seat, chat with friends or just relax after a long trip around the city or can take one cup away with you.

Herbal and artichoke tea

Trà atiso, or artichoke tea, is a specialty from Da Lat made from the stems, leaves, or flowers of artichokes. It has a slightly earthy flavor and is known for its health benefits, such as aiding digestion.

Tourists can find some street stalls, and it costs less than 25 cents for these tasty medicinal juice despite a fairly cheap price.

Sticky rice wine

Sticky rice wine (ruou nep cam) is smoother and sweeter than the regular rice wine, which can be quite fiery.

Iced Tamarind drink

Iced tamarind drink is perfect for you to cool down and quench your thirst.

Vietnam’s range of drinks highlights local ingredients and flavors, offering a taste of the country's culture and natural bounty. Whether you’re enjoying a strong Vietnamese coffee, a cooling sugarcane juice, or a dessert-like chè, each drink promises a unique experience.