Walk into a café in Ho Chi Minh City on a warm afternoon and you’ll likely see tall glasses filled with pale, milky coffee and ice. It looks gentle, almost dessert-like, very different from the dark, intense brews Vietnam is known for. That drink is Bac Xiu coffee Vietnam.
At places like Tonkin Coffee, this creamy favorite is crafted with care, balancing bold Vietnamese beans with smooth milk for a refined yet comforting experience. Bac Xiu is not just coffee. It’s a softer expression of Vietnamese taste: sweet, creamy, and easy to love from the very first sip.
What is Bac Xiu and why is it so popular?
Bac Xiu is a milk-dominant Vietnamese coffee made with condensed milk, fresh milk, and a small amount of strong brewed coffee. It is smoother and sweeter than traditional Vietnamese coffee, making it especially popular among younger drinkers and those who prefer lighter flavors.
What does “Bac Xiu” mean?
The name comes from Southern Chinese-Vietnamese dialect:
- “Bac” means “a lot” (milk)
- “Xiu” means “a little” (coffee)
So the drink literally means “a lot of milk, a little coffee.” The ratio defines its identity.
How is it different from traditional Vietnamese coffee?
Vietnamese coffee is typically brewed using Robusta beans, known for their bold flavor and high caffeine content. Many visitors are surprised at how intense it tastes, sometimes even describing Vietnamese coffee so strong that it feels almost overwhelming.
Bac Xiu was created as a softer alternative. Instead of focusing on bitterness and strength, it highlights:
- Creamy texture
- Sweet, comforting flavor
- Gentle coffee aroma
- Lower caffeine intensity
In many cafés today, Bac Xiu is also presented under the name Vietnamese white coffee to help international guests understand the milk-forward style more easily.
Why do people love Bac Xiu?
Because it feels approachable.
If traditional black coffee feels too bold, Bac Xiu offers balance. It keeps the aroma and character of Vietnamese beans but wraps them in smooth milk and sweetness. It’s perfect for slow mornings, casual conversations, or relaxed afternoons.
How is Bac Xiu made?
Bac Xiu is made by combining condensed milk, fresh milk, and a small portion of strong brewed coffee over ice. The secret lies in maintaining harmony, the coffee should enhance the milk, not dominate it.
Step-by-step traditional preparation
- Brew strong coffee using a Vietnamese phin filter.
- Add condensed milk into a tall glass.
- Pour a small amount of freshly brewed coffee over the milk.
- Add fresh milk to create a creamy body.
- Fill with ice and stir well.
The final color should be light brown, almost caramel-like.
What makes a good Bac Xiu?
A well-made Bac Xiu should have:
- Smooth milk texture
- Natural sweetness (not overly sugary)
- Clear coffee aroma
- Clean, pleasant aftertaste
Too much coffee makes it bitter. Too much condensed milk makes it heavy. The balance is everything.
Can you make Bac Xiu at home?
Yes. You only need:
- 20–30 ml strong coffee
- 40–60 ml condensed milk
- 100–120 ml fresh milk
- Ice
Adjust sweetness depending on your preference. If you enjoy slightly more depth, increase the coffee slightly — but remember, Bac Xiu is meant to stay gentle.
For many people exploring Vietnamese coffee for the first time, Bac Xiu becomes the starting point before moving on to stronger brews.
Where to enjoy Bac Xiu at its best? Discover Tonkin Coffee
To truly enjoy Bac Xiu, the quality of the coffee base matters just as much as the milk. Fresh beans, careful brewing, and balanced sweetness can transform a simple drink into something memorable.
In the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, Tonkin Coffee offers a thoughtfully crafted version of Bac Xiu that highlights both tradition and refinement.
What makes Bac Xiu at Tonkin Coffee special?
At Tonkin Coffee, the drink is prepared with attention to detail:
- Freshly brewed Vietnamese beans
- Balanced condensed milk ratio
- Smooth, creamy texture
- Clean, aromatic finish
The goal is not just sweetness, but harmony. You can still taste the character of the beans beneath the milk.
Why choose Tonkin Coffee?
Vietnam has many cafés, from street vendors to modern chains. Some have even grown into a famous coffee brand in Vietnam, shaping trends across the country. Yet smaller specialty cafés often focus more deeply on craft and quality.
Tonkin Coffee stands out because:
- It emphasizes bean quality
- Drinks are made fresh to order
- The atmosphere feels calm and welcoming
- The menu respects traditional flavors
If you are searching for the best Vietnamese coffee experience that balances authenticity with comfort, enjoying Bac Xiu here offers a gentle and satisfying introduction.
What does it feel like to drink Bac Xiu at Tonkin?
Imagine sitting in a quiet corner, a glass of creamy coffee in hand. The first sip is sweet and cool. Then comes a soft wave of roasted aroma. It’s not loud or overpowering. It’s smooth, comforting, and easy to enjoy.
That’s the charm of Bac Xiu and when prepared carefully, it becomes more than just a drink. It becomes a moment.
Visit Tonkin Coffee Today!
Tonkin Specialty Coffee
- Add: 91 Ly Tu Trong St, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
- Hotline: 086 799 0125
Tonkin Garden Cafe
- Add: 135/50 Tran Hung Dao St, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
- Hotline: 087 992 4691
Tonkin Egg Coffee
- Add: 1 Le Thi Rieng, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
- Hotline: 0815 841 909
Nestled in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, Tonkin Specialty Coffee is one of the best coffee shops to experience authentic Vietnamese flavors. From the iconic egg coffee and refreshing coconut coffee to bold Vietnamese coffee and the unique salt coffee, every sip is a journey into tradition. For non-coffee lovers, our Vietnamese matcha offers a gentle alternative. Pair your drink with a freshly baked banh mi or a buttery croissant, and savor the true taste of Vietnam in a setting inspired by folk culture and Indochine charm.