There was a time when the day began with the relentless hum of office life. Meetings, deadlines, and the constant chase of tasks filled the hours. But amidst the routines, one constant provided comfort: coffee. A simple cup of coffee was the anchor that grounded each morning, offering a brief moment of solace before diving into the day.
For years, the office world was the landscape of life—until the craving for something more became undeniable. The decision to leave it all behind wasn’t just about work. It was about finding something deeper, something meaningful. And in that search, a profound connection with coffee and the folk culture of Vietnam was discovered.
The best cafes in Ho Chi Minh city, that’s what I left to make
Tonkin Specialty Coffee
91 Ly Tu Trong, Ben Thanh ward, District 1, HCMC, Vietnam
Tonkin Specialty Coffee offers an immersive journey into Vietnam’s rich coffee heritage. Located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, it presents an inviting blend of tradition and modernity. Visitors are treated to high-quality Fine Robusta, sourced directly from Dak Nong, with each cup crafted to perfection. The warm, cultural ambiance provides a cozy escape for both coffee enthusiasts and travelers alike.
Tonkin Garden coffee & croissant
135/50 Tran Hung Dao, Cau Ong Lanh ward, District 1, HCMC, Vietnam
Tonkin Garden Coffee & Croissant provides a serene retreat from the bustling city. Nestled in a lush garden setting, it’s an ideal spot for those seeking tranquility while enjoying freshly baked croissants alongside expertly brewed Vietnamese coffee. The peaceful surroundings make it perfect for relaxing with a book or catching up with friends over a delicious drink.
Tonkin Egg Coffee & Vietnamese delights
160/14 Cong Quynh, Pham Ngu Lao ward, District 1, HCMC, Vietnam
Tonkin Egg Coffee and Vietnamese Delights specializes in Vietnam’s iconic egg coffee, a silky blend of coffee and egg yolk that’s both rich and velvety. The café also serves unique Vietnamese treats, like matcha and croissants, offering a full range of traditional and contemporary delights. In the evening, you can savor Vietnamese wine, making it a delightful spot for both daytime indulgence and nighttime relaxation.
Discovering the Depth of Coffee
Coffee in Vietnam is no longer just a daily ritual; it has transformed into an art, a subject of deep appreciation. The highlands of Dak Nong, with their fertile soil and ideal climate, nurture some of the finest Fine Robusta beans. While Robusta is often overshadowed by Arabica on the global stage, these beans hold a distinct richness that reflects the boldness of Vietnam itself. Each bean tells a story of heritage, resilience, and care, embodying a legacy that stretches back through the country’s long history of coffee cultivation.
Best for Vietnamese coffee – Fine Robusta
Fine Robusta represents a hidden gem in the coffee world, offering bold flavors that awaken the senses. Its journey begins in the hands of farmers, where generations of experience shape the cultivation process, creating beans with a depth and complexity rarely matched. Vietnam’s coffee culture embraces this robust variety, blending tradition with modern brewing techniques, ensuring that every cup tells the story of the land it comes from. To experience Fine Robusta is to savor a piece of Vietnam’s soul.
In the pursuit of understanding coffee, the discovery of Fine Robusta redefines the narrative surrounding coffee beans. This variety, often left in the shadow of the more globally recognized Arabica, offers an unparalleled richness—bold, deep, and uniquely Vietnamese. Each cup crafted from these beans is a testament to Vietnam’s role in the coffee world. It’s more than a drink; it’s a symbol of a heritage passed down through generations, connecting past and present with every robust sip.
Tonkin Coffee: A Marriage of Passion and Culture
This newfound passion gave birth to Tonkin Coffee, a place where culture and craft blend seamlessly. Tonkin isn’t just a business; it’s the culmination of years of exploration, the fusion of a love for coffee and the cultural soul of Vietnam. Every cup at Tonkin tells a story—of the land it came from, the people who cultivated it, and the vision behind it. The cafés are not just spaces to sip coffee; they are designed as cultural experiences, inspired by the folk traditions that echo through Vietnam’s history.
Must try their egg coffee. They suggested to try it cold, it was sweet and creamy. Had a chance to try their robusta on espresso, the taste is strong, after taste slightly nutty and smooth.
– M. Asshad Saaban
You can’t missed this place out if you are a fan of strong robusta coffee !!! The egg coffee is a must try (has sugar in it ) the people there were friendly and attentive and knowledgeable !!! Highly recommended !
– Shin Chen
Best coffee i’ve ever had in my life. You’d expect a robusta blend to be too harsh and strong but these guys nailed it. Amazing.
– Rivir Candelario
The Essence of Fine Robusta Coffee
At the heart of Tonkin Coffee lies the unyielding boldness of Fine Robusta, a bean celebrated for its rich intensity. Unlike the smoother Arabica, Fine Robusta carries a pronounced depth, with a gentle bitterness that reveals layers of flavor with every sip. This coffee isn’t merely a beverage—it’s an experience rooted in Vietnam’s lush coffee culture.
Sourced from Dak Nong, a region blessed with mineral-rich soil and a favorable climate, these beans are nurtured from farm to cup. The soil’s unique composition gives the beans a distinctive character, imbuing them with earthy undertones and a richness that can only be described as quintessentially Vietnamese. At Tonkin Coffee, the process of harvesting, drying, and roasting is a meticulous art. It begins with hand-picking the finest cherries, followed by sun-drying to lock in the flavor, and careful roasting that enhances their natural aroma and taste.
Egg coffee: 5 facts & best hidden gems in HCMC
The Fascinating Origin Story of Egg Coffee Vietnamese egg coffee was born out of necessity and creative ingenuity during a challenging period in Vietnam’s history. In 1946, during the French War (also known as the First Indochina War), milk was extremely scarce in Hanoi. Nguyen Van Giang, a talented bartender working at the prestigious Sofitel…
Budget Solo Travel Guide to Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City is a vibrant adventure for solo travelers on a budget, filled with rich culture and hidden gems that promise an unforgettable experience. This guide navigates everything from packing essentials to must-try street food, ensuring you make the most of your journey in this mesmerizing city.
Tonkin Garden Egg Coffee & Eatery: A Hidden Gem in Saigon
Experience authentic Vietnamese egg coffee at Tonkin Garden Café in Ho Chi Minh City. Indulge in this creamy, rich drink while enjoying a peaceful oasis in the bustling city.
Each cup brewed at Tonkin Coffee is a celebration of Vietnam’s coffee heritage, infused with history and tradition. Whether it’s a simple black brew or a decadent egg coffee, salt coffee, vegan coffee, the flavor profile of Fine Robusta offers a balance between boldness and nuance, capturing the very essence of Vietnamese coffee culture. From bean to brew, the journey reflects Tonkin Coffee’s unwavering commitment to excellence, ensuring that every sip tells the story of the land, the people, and the passion that fuels the craft.
The Cultural Ambiance of Tonkin Cafés
Stepping into a Tonkin café is like entering a realm where the essence of Vietnam comes alive in every corner. Each café exudes a deep connection to the country’s heritage, offering more than just a place to drink coffee—it’s a cultural retreat. The design, while modern and sleek, integrates elements of tradition. From the carefully chosen furniture to the subtle, nostalgic decor, the space speaks of Vietnam’s rich history.
Beyond cafe, a story of culture
Handcrafted wooden tables evoke the warmth and authenticity of the countryside, while bamboo accents and traditional Vietnamese hats, known as “nón quai thao,” hang on the walls as reminders of rural life. The wall art reflects not only modern interpretations of Vietnam’s artistic traditions but also stories of its past, with images and textures that blend old-world charm with contemporary sensibility. Delicate folk masks and ceramics dot the shelves, creating a dynamic interplay between art and coffee..
The atmosphere itself is a study in contrast, where muted warm lighting plays off rustic tones, inviting visitors to pause and savor the moment. It’s a space that seems to transcend time—where modernity and history coexist effortlessly, making every sip of coffee feel like a communion with the past. The ambiance encourages relaxation, reflection, and a quiet sense of belonging. Whether sitting with a book or conversing with friends, the café provides a calm oasis amidst the fast-paced rhythms of urban life.
The past & present coffee menu
The menu, too, reflects this harmony between past and present, with offerings that celebrate both the robust flavors of traditional Vietnamese coffee and more contemporary creations. Each cup serves as a reminder of the rich heritage and the meticulous care that goes into the production of every bean, embodying the stories of farmers, landscapes, and traditions passed down through generations. A visit to Tonkin is not just a coffee experience; it is a sensory journey into the heart of Vietnam.
Sustainability at the Heart of Tonkin Coffee
Tonkin’s mission extends far beyond serving excellent coffee. It is deeply rooted in a commitment to the farming communities that supply their beans, particularly in Dak Nong. The relationship with these farmers isn’t just about sourcing top-tier coffee; it’s about fostering long-term partnerships built on fairness and sustainability. Ten farming households directly benefit from this collaboration, receiving not only fair compensation but also ongoing support that helps improve their quality of life. This initiative isn’t transactional but transformative, creating opportunities for a more secure and prosperous future..
At the heart of this endeavor is the principle of reciprocity. By ensuring that farmers are paid fairly and provided with resources to improve their farming practices, Tonkin is actively working to strengthen these rural communities. This approach recognizes that the success of the café is inseparably tied to the well-being of those who cultivate the land. The rich, fertile soil of Dak Nong, combined with the knowledge passed down through generations of coffee farming families, creates a product that is both unique and culturally significant.
Beyond financial support, Tonkin fosters a sense of shared responsibility and pride. By highlighting the importance of these small farming households, Tonkin connects its customers with the deeper story behind every cup of coffee they serve. This transparency fosters an appreciation for the work and dedication of those who make each coffee experience possible, elevating the cup from a simple beverage to a symbol of community and cultural preservation.
The café’s commitment to sustainability is an integral part of this partnership. Tonkin works closely with farmers to ensure that eco-friendly practices are implemented, from soil conservation to waste reduction. This creates a positive cycle where both the environment and the communities involved thrive. It’s a holistic approach to business that places people, planet, and product on equal footing, ensuring that every aspect of the coffee-making process is treated with care and respect.
The café’s commitment
The café’s commitment to sustainability is an integral part of this partnership. Tonkin works closely with farmers to ensure that eco-friendly practices are implemented, from soil conservation to waste reduction. This creates a positive cycle where both the environment and the communities involved thrive. It’s a holistic approach to business that places people, planet, and product on equal footing, ensuring that every aspect of the coffee-making process is treated with care and respect.
Through this model, Tonkin is setting a powerful example of how businesses can uplift the communities that support them. It’s not just about making coffee; it’s about creating lasting change, one farming household at a time. Every cup served at Tonkin represents a connection to this broader mission—a mission grounded in fairness, sustainability, and a deep respect for the people and land that make Vietnam’s coffee heritage so special.
A Vision for the Future
Tonkin Coffee is more than a business—it’s a movement to preserve and promote the legacy of Vietnamese coffee. The goal is not just to serve great coffee but to ensure that the heritage of coffee farming in Dak Nong thrives for generations to come. By supporting sustainable farming practices, Tonkin is helping to protect Vietnam’s coffee industry while providing a platform for cultural expression. As the business grows, so too does its commitment to the communities and traditions that inspired it. The future is bright, grounded in a deep respect for the past, and guided by a vision of a sustainable, culturally rich coffee experience for all.
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.