Vietnamese instant coffee is not as well-known or talked about as its filter-coffee counterpart, but it is still very popular.
Locally, instant coffee is found in most offices and households around the country.
Furthermore, as one of the world’s biggest coffee producers and exporters, Vietnam is also known for its coffee processing industry which churns out thousands of tons of instant coffee each year.
This is big business with millions of dollars worth of instant coffee products exported from Vietnam each year.
In this light, this quick guide provides an overview of Vietnam’s instant coffee products, key brands, and the production of instant coffee in Vietnam.
Types of Vietnamese instant coffee
Vietnamese instant coffee has evolved from basic sachets into a diverse range of products catering to both traditional tastes and modern convenience.
From bold robusta blends and creamy 3-in-1 mixes to specialty instant drip bags and sugar-free options, the market now reflects the country’s rich coffee culture in compact, export-ready form.
Black coffee
Most big coffee brands offer an instant black coffee product in Vietnam. Known locally as Cafe Den these products typically come in single-use sachets; however, jars typical of Western markets are also often available at bigger supermarkets.
2-in-1 coffee
Aside from plain black coffee, there are an assortment of instant coffee blends in Vietnam.
Not particularly common, but still worth a mention, are sachets of 2-in-1. These contain coffee and sugar to which consumers simply add hot water.
3-in-1 coffee
A step up from 2-in-1 instant coffee are 3-in-1 instant coffee sachets.
These are probably the most popular forms of instant coffee in Vietnam.
These can be found on street corners and in offices throughout the country and are basically the same as 2-in-1; however, they also contain powdered milk.
5-in-1 coffee
Whereas 3-in-1 is pretty straightforward, the additional two ingredients in 5-in-1 sachets often vary.
These can be fruits like coconut (coconut coffee is a Vietnamese specialty) or artificial flavourings or nutritional supplements, for example, ginseng or collagen.
🫘 Inside Vietnam’s coffee industry
Vietnam is the world’s largest producer of robusta coffee and a key player in the global supply chain.
From highland plantations to instant coffee factories and international exports, the industry supports millions of livelihoods and continues to modernise.
This guide explores Vietnam’s coffee economy, key growing regions, processing methods, and market trends shaping its future.
Coffee pods
Coffee pods in Vietnam are not common, but are available.
Most of the big international brands have distributors in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
There are also a handful of capsule coffee machine retailers in both of these cities as well.
That said, as with most things in Vietnam, both can easily be purchased online.
Premade iced coffee
Iced coffee in a can is also popular in Vietnam. The most common is iced Vietnamese coffee or robusta coffee with condensed milk.
These are available in vending machines, from local convenience stores, and supermarkets.
🔍 Looking to source coffee from Vietnam?
As the world’s second-largest coffee exporter, Vietnam offers a dynamic and scalable supply chain for robusta and arabica beans.
Whether you’re an independent roaster, distributor, or sourcing agent, understanding Vietnam’s export procedures, quality standards, and logistics is essential.
Our in-depth guide covers everything from sourcing and licensing to shipping and payment terms.
Popular brands of Vietnamese instant coffee
Vietnam is home to a growing number of instant coffee brands that combine local flavours with convenience.
Many of these brands now offer variations such as sugar-free, specialty drip sachets, and milk coffee mixes designed for both domestic and export consumers.
G7
G7 instant coffee was first introduced to Vietnamese consumers in 2003.
A member of the Trung Nguyen coffee brand family, G7 has grown to become one of the more recognisable Vietnamese instant coffee brands.
G7 offers instant back coffee, espresso, and 2-in-1 and 3-in1 sachets.
Nescafe
Nestle’s Nescafé instant coffee products are also popular in Vietnam.
The company retails 3-in-1 coffee sachets, pods for home espresso machines, plain black coffee, and canned pre-made iced coffee.
Of note, Nestlé has been processing coffee and producing instant coffee both for local consumption and for export in Vietnam since 1998.
It’s also one of the biggest buyers of Vietnamese raw coffee and exporters of Vietnamese coffee.
Vinacafe Bien Hoa
Homegrown and one of Vietnam’s biggest coffee producers for domestic consumption, Vinacafe claims roots dating back to 1968.
Founded by a Frenchman and then handed over to the state after the Vietnam War in 1975, the factory started churning out instant coffee under the Vinacafe name in 1977.
For almost two decades, it was run as a state-owned enterprise, but in 2004 it was privatised.
The company currently offers plain black coffee, 2-in-1, and 3-in-1. Its products are sometimes sold under the brand name ‘Wake Up’.
Highlands
Highlands is both an instant coffee brand and a chain of coffee shops.
It is currently majority owned by the Jollibee fast-food chain from the Philippines, but this doesn’t seem to have damaged its popularity among Vietnamese consumers.
Its core instant coffee products consist of 3-in-1 and canned instant milk coffee.
🔍 Planning to open a cafe in Vietnam?
Vietnam’s fast-growing coffee culture, young population, and booming tourism industry make it an attractive market for aspiring cafe owners.
But navigating local regulations, rental contracts, staffing, and supplier networks can be challenging without the right guidance.
This comprehensive guide walks you through the key steps to launching a successful cafe in Vietnam—from business setup and licensing to design, marketing, and day-to-day operations.
Producing instant coffee in Vietnam
Most of Vietnam’s coffee is grown south of Danang but north of Ho Chi Minh City.
It makes sense then that this area is responsible for the bulk of Vietnam’s coffee processing facilities.
These facilities produce a broad range of instant coffee products for a number of big-name coffee brands that are exported all over the world.
☕ SNAPSHOT: French, Poles build freeze-dried instant coffee plant in Vietnam
In September 2024, France’s Louis Dreyfus Company and Poland’s Instanta Sp. z o.o. inaugurated a freeze-dried instant coffee production facility in Vietnam’s Binh Duong province.
The project has cost US$84.2 million to put together and has a capacity of 5,600 tonnes.
FAQ: Instant coffee in Vietnam
These are some of the most common questions about instant coffee in Vietnam.
Is instant coffee popular in Vietnam?
Yes. Instant coffee is widely consumed across Vietnam, especially 3-in-1 sachets that combine coffee, sugar, and creamer. It’s popular for its affordability, convenience, and strong flavour.
What types of instant coffee are available in Vietnam?
You’ll find traditional 2-in-1 and 3-in-1 sachets, black instant coffee, sugar-free options, and drip-style single-serve filters that mimic brewed coffee. Many brands also offer iced coffee variants.
Which Vietnamese brands are best known for instant coffee?
Trung Nguyen’s G7, Vinacafe, King Coffee, and Nescafé Vietnam are among the most popular. These are sold locally and exported worldwide.
Is Vietnamese instant coffee made from robusta or arabica?
Most instant coffee in Vietnam is made from robusta beans, which are more widely grown in the country and known for their bold, bitter flavour and high caffeine content.
Can I export Vietnamese instant coffee?
Yes. Many brands offer export-ready packaging and meet international food safety standards. Vietnam is one of the world’s top instant coffee exporters.
What’s next?
Vietnamese instant coffee is popular both inside and outside of Vietnam.
From 2-1 instant coffee sachets to plain black coffee, there are a myriad of products available for Vietnamese consumers and foreign buyers looking to expand their instant coffee range.
The industry, however, is dynamic, and the environment can change quickly.
With this in mind, individuals who wish to keep abreast of developments in Vietnam’s coffee industry should also subscribe to the-shiv.
First published January 29, 2024. Last updated July 23, 2025.