Coconut Coffee in Vietnam: Ordering and Taste
A cold, sweet coffee slush for people who say they do not like coffee.
Coconut coffee is a cold, blended drink of coconut milk or cream, ice and a shot of Vietnamese coffee. The coconut leads and the coffee stays in the background, so it is a good first coffee for anyone who says they do not like coffee.
What is in the glass?
Think of a coconut slush with coffee swirled through it.
- Coconut: milk or cream, blended until thick.
- Ice: crushed, so the drink pours like a smoothie.
- Coffee: a shot of strong Vietnamese coffee, mixed in or poured over.
- Sweetness: sugar or condensed milk, depending on the cafe.
It arrives cold and thick. Sip first, spoon the last part.
Who is it for?
It suits anyone who finds black coffee too bitter, and anyone who wants a cold treat on a hot afternoon. If you read our guide to egg coffee in Hanoi, you will see the same logic: sweet, creamy and gentle. Coconut coffee has no egg, so it is easy to share around the table.
It still contains coffee. Choose a small cup for the evening, and for children, ask for the coffee-free coconut version.
How do you order it?
Ask for ca phe cot dua, which names the drink. If you want to adjust it:
- Less sugar: say it ngot.
- No coffee: ask whether they can make the coconut drink without the coffee shot.
- Smaller size: point at the smaller cup on the menu.
For the wider vocabulary of Vietnamese coffee, read how to order Vietnamese coffee.
Where can you find it?
You will find coconut coffee at cafes and drink stands across the main cities. It is a good pick for a break between sights, because it cools you down.
If you travel in the Mekong Delta, Ben Tre is known for coconut country, so coconut drinks are easy to find there. In the highlands, Da Lat cafe culture is worth a look for viewpoint cafes and morning markets.
What should you check?
Look for a clean counter and fresh ice. Our street food hygiene guide lists what to check at a stall. Drinks with ice are a common worry for travellers, so choose a busy place and a sealed straw if you are cautious.
Browse more drinks and dishes under food and daily travel, and message us if you want help planning cafe stops around your route.
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Common questions
What is coconut coffee?
It is a blended cold drink made from coconut milk or cream, ice and a shot of Vietnamese coffee, served in a glass like a slush or smoothie. Sweet condensed milk may go in too. The coconut flavour leads, and the coffee stays in the background.
Is it for people who do not like coffee?
It can be. The coconut and sweetness soften the bitterness, so people who dislike black coffee may enjoy it. It is still coffee and carries caffeine, so choose a small cup for evening or for children, or ask for a coffee-free coconut version.
How do I reduce the sugar?
Say it ngot, which means less sweet, when you order. You can also ask for a smaller size, or split one between two people. The drink is sweet by default, so one cup is plenty for a hot afternoon.
Where can I find it?
You will find it at cafes and drink stands in Hanoi, Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An and Saigon. Ben Tre is known for its coconuts, so it is a good place to try coconut drinks if you travel in the Mekong Delta.
Keep planning
Tell us your cafe habits and who is travelling, and we can help you plan drink stops that fit the heat and the day.