Sip Like a Local: Top Vietnamese Drinks You Can’t Miss
Street food is a must when visiting Vietnam, but don’t overlook its amazing local drinks! From strong iced coffee in the South to herbal teas in the North, each region offers unique flavors rooted in culture and tradition.
In this guide, My Vietnam Tours will help you pick and order Vietnamese drinks like a pro local. So you can sip your way through Vietnam like you truly belong!
Vietnamese Coffee: Indispensable Cultural Features
Thanks to its favorable tropical climate and fertile soil, Vietnam has become the world’s second-largest coffee producer and exporter. As visitors walk through the bustling streets of any Vietnamese city, it doesn’t take long to notice how deeply coffee is woven into the daily life of the locals.
In Vietnam, coffee is more than just a drink, it’s a lifestyle. What sets Vietnamese coffee apart is its bold flavor, traditional brewing method using a metal drip filter (phin), and unique ingredients such as sweetened condensed milk or whipped egg yolk. The result is a strong, aromatic beverage that captures the essence of Vietnam in every sip.
Filter coffee with rich flavor and authentic Vietnamese cultural identity Photo by: forevervacation
Vietnamese Iced Black Coffee
Iced Black Coffee (Cà Phê Đen Đá or Đen Đá) is a powerful symbol of Vietnamese coffee culture, especially popular in the northern and central regions of the country. This bold beverage is made by slowly dripping hot water through a metal filter (phin) filled with coarse-ground coffee. The result is an intensely aromatic brew with a rich, robust flavor and a slightly bitter finish.
Vietnamese iced coffee ranked second in the list of the world’s 10 best coffees voted by the international cuisine magazine TasteAtlas Photo by: longchau
This drink is usually consumed unsweetened or with just a little sugar added. Iced black coffee is perfect for those who appreciate the pure, unaltered strength of coffee. For many Vietnamese, a glass of cà phê đen đá in the early morning is the ultimate energy boost to kick-start the day.
Vietnamese Milk Coffee
It is impossible not to mention iced milk coffee (aka “Cà phê sữa đá”) – the “national” drink associated with the image of bustling Saigon. By simply mixing “Đen Đá” with sweetened condensed milk, this drink strikes a beautiful balance between bitter and sweet, bold and refreshing.
It’s the perfect choice for anyone who wants to enjoy the depth of Vietnamese coffee with a smoother, more accessible taste. Whether in the morning or during a hot afternoon, a glass of cà phê sữa đá is sure to refresh and recharge.
Vietnamese condensed milk coffee Photo by: sapovn
Bac Xiu
Bac xiu (short for “bac tay xiu phe”) is a drink originating from the Chinese community in old Saigon, now becoming a familiar dish in modern coffee shops. Bac xiu uses more milk than coffee, there is even a version that uses hot milk mixed with a little coffee to create color and aroma. Its creamy, sweet, and gentle flavor makes it an ideal drink for those who prefer a lighter coffee experience. Today, bạc xỉu is especially popular among young people and a regular on the menu of many take-away coffee chains throughout Vietnam.
Bac xiu is among lesser-known Vietnamese drinks that deserve more attention Photo by: unitedvision
Egg Coffee – Among The Iconic Vietnamese Drinks
Egg coffee (Cà phê trứng) is a true point of pride for the people of Hanoi and one of the most iconic coffee creations in Vietnam. This unique drink has even earned a spot on Buzzfeed’s list of the “17 types of coffee you must try around the world”.
What makes egg coffee so memorable is the innovative combination of strong Vietnamese black coffee and a silky, rich layer of whipped egg yolk and sweetened condensed milk. The creamy foam on top creates a dessert-like experience, while the bold coffee underneath grounds it with depth and intensity. More than just a drink, egg coffee reflects the craftsmanship and creativity of Hanoian culture.
Giang cafe is where you can try the best egg coffee Photo by: organiccoffee
Visitors can enjoy the most authentic cup of egg coffee, head to time-honored cafés like Giảng Café, Đinh Café, or other hidden gems in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, where this tradition was born.
Vietnamese Coconut Coffee – A Modern Favorite With Tropical Charm
Vietnamese coconut coffee (Cà phê cốt dừa) has quickly become a favorite among international travelers visiting Vietnam. Unlike conventional iced coffee, this drink is made by blending coconut milk, condensed milk, and ice into a smooth, slushy mixture, which is then poured over a shot of strong black coffee.
Vietnamese Coconut Coffee Photo by: congcafe
The balance of bitterness and sweetness in this drink brings a lingering taste of both coconut and coffee, taking you on a sensory journey. Cong Cafe is one of the famous coffee chains in Vietnam. So if visitors like to drink coffee but also like sweets, this is a great choice.
Fresh Fruit Drinks – Refreshing Summer Days
Thanks to its tropical climate, Vietnam is blessed with an abundance of fresh fruits – making it a paradise for naturally sweet, cooling beverages. From classic coconut water to unique local herbal juices, here are some of the most refreshing fruit-based drinks you must try when visiting Vietnam.
Nước Dừa – Fresh Coconut
It is impossible not to mention fresh Ben Tre coconut water, one of the famous specialties throughout the country. Coconut water is extracted from young green coconuts grown in the tropical climate of Vietnam, bringing a unique and authentic flavor of this land. This drink contains natural electrolytes to help you stay hydrated and full of energy. After drinking all the water, people can eat the coconut meat inside.
If visitors are looking for a familiar refreshing drink to quench their thirst, Vietnamese coconut water is a great choice. Usually, the local Vietnamese also like to mix it with calamandarin for a bit of sour taste.
Fresh Coconut in Viet Nam Photo by: vov
Sugarcane Juice Water – Nước Mía
Sugarcane juice is one of the most popular and easily found street drinks in Vietnam, especially on hot days. Squeezed directly from fresh sugarcane stalks, sugarcane juice has a sweet, cool taste and contains many natural minerals. Vietnamese people often drink sugarcane juice with ice and add a little kumquat to increase the aroma and balance the sweetness, creating a fresh, pleasant combination. From the sidewalks of Hanoi to the small alleys of Saigon, you can see the familiar image of the sugarcane press everywhere. It is an indispensable part of the culinary memories of many generations of Vietnamese people.
Sugarcane juice water – summer thirst quencher Photo by: droh
Pennywort Juice – Nước ép rau má
Besides being used in cooking, pennywort (rau má) is a popular ingredient in healthy beverages across Vietnam. Pennywort juice is slightly sweet, slightly bitter, and best served cold with ice.
Its original, earthy flavor can be a bit strong for some, but local vendors have created more palatable versions by blending it with mung bean paste to enhance the taste. It’s a favorite among health-conscious locals and a great option if you’re curious about Vietnam’s herbal drink culture.
Pennywort Juice in Viet Nam Photo by: congnghenhat
Tamarind Iced Drink – Đá Me
Another popular drink in Vietnam every summer is iced tamarind juice. It is hard to find in high-end restaurants or cafes, but you can enjoy this drink at some street vendors or local markets. This drink is made from real sweet tamarind, which gives it a burst of sweet and sour flavors in every sip. In addition, this Vietnamese drink also has crunchy peanuts, which give it an interesting texture. This unique drink is a must-try for tourists when visiting Vietnam in the summer.
Smoothies and Juices
Vietnam is known as a fruit paradise due to its tropical climate. So there is no reason to visit Vietnam without trying a cool glass of juice or smoothie. This drink is made from fresh local fruit blended with crushed ice, condensed milk or sugar. This delicious and nutritious drink is so popular in Vietnam that visitors can find juice stands on every street and alley or anywhere near schools, markets and public parks.
Types of smoothies that are good for your skin and good for your health that tourists cannot miss Photo by: baothanhnien
Vietnamese Tea: The Art of Sophisticated Enjoyment
Vietnamese Iced Tea – Trà Đá
If there is one drink that best reflects the daily life of Vietnamese people, it is iced tea. Simply diluted green tea or dry tea, cooled and added with ice, iced tea is everywhere. Drinking iced tea is also a wordless “social ritual”: inviting each other to have a glass of iced tea is a friendly, intimate gesture. Although it is so cheap that it is almost free, iced tea contains a unique, rustic, simple, and intimate cultural feature in Vietnamese life.
Sidewalk iced tea – a peaceful corner of Hanoi. Photo by: cốmminhan
Vietnamese Herbal Tea – Nước Sâm
Herbal tea is one of the traditional drinks associated with the frugal lifestyle and health-preserving spirit of Vietnamese people. It is made from leaves, roots, flowers and seeds of natural origin such as guava leaves, stevia, chrysanthemum, artichoke, ginger or lemongrass. Nowadays, tourists can easily drink herbal tea served in cafes, spas, vegetarian restaurants, becoming a green living trend.
Vietnamese herbal tea Photo by: nhathuoclongchau
Nước Mát – Mekong Delta classic drinks
With the Mekong Delta’s year-round hot and humid climate, locals have developed a strong preference for cooling herbal drinks, such as pennywort juice, seaweed tea, or infusions from grass roots and plantain. These refreshing beverages are not only hydrating but are also believed to have health benefits cleansing the body and aiding digestion.
Vietnamese Wine – A Must-try Traditional Vietnamese Drink
Rice Wine – Rượu Gạo
Pure rice wine is one of the most popular alcoholic beverages in Vietnam, with two main types: sticky rice wine and regular rice wine. Distilled from fermented rice, pure rice wine has a distinctive warm flavor and is usually not aged for a long time like other wines or spirits. This traditional wine is present in most holidays, New Year, death anniversaries and parties in rural Vietnam.
Herbal wine in VietNam Photo by: dacsanbinhdinh
Tube Wine – Rượu Cần
An indispensable part of community festivals of the ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands, Ruou Can is not only a drink but also a spiritual and cultural symbol. Brewed from sticky rice, yeast leaves and herbs, Ruou Can has a mild, strong flavor and is drunk through bamboo tubes in a cozy atmosphere. Therefore, trying Ruou Can is a must for any tourist who wants to explore the rich traditions and customs of Vietnam.
Tube wine – Central Highlands specialty Photo by: thebazan
Herbal Wine – Rượu Thảo Mộc
Herbal wine (also known as medicinal wine) is a unique variation of rice wine, a blend of white wine and precious medicinal herbs such as ginseng, ginseng, lingzhi mushroom, morinda officinalis, banana seeds, or traditional Vietnamese herbs.
Not only is it drunk for enjoyment, herbal wine is also considered a health-enhancing medicine, especially favored by middle-aged men.
Reishi mushroom wine is one of the famous medicinal wines in Vietnam. Photo by: nhathuoclongchau
Vietnamese Beer
Beer culture in Vietnam is deeply ingrained in the local lifestyle, where people often gather to enjoy a cold beer with friends and family. There are many options for beer brands in Vietnam such as Saigon Beer, or Hanoi Beer, with its crisp and clean taste, is a staple in many bars and restaurants across the country.
Famous beers in vietnam. Photo by: aaronmai
If you want to immerse yourself in the bustling, intimate atmosphere of Vietnamese street food, try Bia Hoi. This is a fresh beer brewed during the day and sold directly, known for its low alcohol content, easy to drink and affordable price.
When coming to Vietnam, don’t forget to enjoy Bia Hơi with popular street food. This is also one of the ways to relax and experience the unique flavors of Vietnamese culture.
Westerners enjoy draught beer culture in Hanoi Photo by: vnexpress
From sweet sugarcane juice to refreshing herbal coolers and bold rice wine, Vietnam’s traditional drinks offer more than just flavor. They tell stories of culture, region, and everyday life.
To truly experience Vietnam like a local, don’t just eat. Drink with the locals and let My Vietnam Tours be your guide to the most authentic and unforgettable sips on your journey.
Start planning today — and taste Vietnam, one drink at a time! Connect with us now!
