Vietnamese Coffee: The Taste of Humanity

(NLDO) - Ho Chi Minh City - from the big street corners to the small alleys, every morning is filled with the fragrant smell of filter coffee. That smell, rich from Robusta beans from the Central Highlands, seems to wake up the whole street.

I have lived in Ho Chi Minh City for nearly thirty years, familiar with the image of sitting every morning sipping a cup of black coffee, reading the newspaper, telling stories of life. Vietnamese coffee, to me, is not just a drink, it is also a memory, a culture of early mornings on the sidewalk, where people exchange smiles and greetings.

Late last year, I opened a small coffee cart, specializing in vegan coffee with nut milk instead of condensed milk. I want everyone to enjoy Vietnamese coffee, including vegetarians and those who abstain from dairy.

At first, the customers were sparse, sometimes only selling a dozen cups a day. But then, on fasting days, people came in droves, praising the delicious coffee, with the aroma of roasted beans, mixed with smooth nut milk. One regular customer said: "The coffee you make tastes like the one I drank when I was young, but more unique, lighter!". It warms my heart...

Vietnamese coffee is like that, both familiar and innovative. From the small drip coffee at the roadside cafe to creative carts like mine, coffee has always been a thread that connects people together. I remember the time I saw a group of young people sitting and taking pictures of the coffee I made and posting them online, I thought: "Wow, Vietnamese coffee is really 'high-end' now!" It's not just a cup of water, but a story about farmers meticulously picking each coffee bean, about mornings filled with laughter.

I am proud that Vietnamese Robusta is now famous all over the world , from Buon Ma Thuot to luxury shops abroad. My vegan coffee, though small, is my way of contributing to preserving the soul of Vietnamese coffee, a strong rustic soul, both traditional and paving the way for the future.

I hope that one day, every cup of Vietnamese coffee will tell that story, so that whoever drinks it will love this land even more.

(Entry to the contest "Impressions of Vietnamese coffee and tea" under the program "Honoring Vietnamese coffee and tea" for the 3rd time, 2025 organized by Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper).

Rules of the contest "Impressions of Vietnamese coffee and tea". Graphics: CHI PHAN

Source: https://nld.com.vn/ca-phe-viet-huong-vi-cua-tinh-nguoi-196250415215119247.htm