Vietnam is currently the second largest coffee exporter in the world, after Brazil. Thanks to the tropical monsoon climate, fertile red basalt soil and ideal altitude, our country has nurtured many diverse coffee varieties, each with its own distinct flavor. So, how many types of Vietnamese coffee are there? Where are they grown most? Let's find out in this article!

Types of Coffee in Vietnam Today
Vietnam has many types of coffee, among which the most popular are:

Arabica Coffee
Arabica Coffee, also known as “Café Chè” in Vietnam, is considered a “treasure” in the coffee world thanks to its delicate flavor and premium quality. This coffee variety always holds a special place in the hearts of coffee lovers due to its distinctive taste and superior quality.

Regarded as the most economically valuable type of coffee, Arabica accounts for up to 61% of global coffee production. It thrives at altitudes of 1,000 – 1,600 meters above sea level, in areas with mild climates, frequent mist, and significant temperature differences between day and night. These natural conditions allow Arabica to grow slowly, accumulating refined flavors in every coffee bean.

Arabica has a mild acidity and a lower caffeine content than Robusta, but it offers a pleasant experience without causing overstimulation. Due to its distinctive flavor and meticulous cultivation process, Arabica coffee is often priced higher than other varieties. It is also the most popular type of coffee in many Western countries, where espresso culture and specialty coffee are highly prevalent.

Robusta Coffee
Robusta Coffee, commonly known simply as Robusta, is the most popular type closely tied to Vietnam’s coffee culture. Thanks to the tropical climate and the unique soil conditions of the Central Highlands, Robusta has flourished, accounting for 90–95% of the country’s annual coffee production.

Unlike Arabica, Robusta beans are smaller in size and are typically dried directly instead of being fermented. This results in a bold bitterness, strong aroma, and high caffeine content — making it perfectly suited to the rich and robust coffee preference of the Vietnamese people.

This type of coffee is typically grown at altitudes below 600 meters, in hot and humid climates, and is found in many countries around the world.
In Vietnam alone, Robusta not only plays a key role in exports but also accounts for one-third of global coffee consumption, affirming its crucial position on the international coffee map.

Culi Coffee
Among Vietnamese coffee varieties, Culi is a rare and unique type. Unlike regular coffee beans that usually contain two flat seeds, Culi beans consist of only one seed. As a result, Culi beans are larger, rounder, and possess a distinctive flavor.

Culi coffee is renowned for its bold bitterness, lingering aftertaste, shiny jet-black color, and much higher caffeine content compared to other coffee types. These characteristics have made Culi a favorite choice among true coffee connoisseurs who appreciate a strong, full-bodied flavor.

Due to its unique bean structure, Culi is often carefully selected and roasted following a special process to preserve its distinctive flavor. Thanks to this, coffee drinkers can easily sense its uniqueness and personality, something that is hard to find in any other type of coffee.

Cherry Coffee
Cherry Coffee, often called “Cà phê mít” by Vietnamese people, is scientifically known as Coffea Liberica or Coffea Excelsa. This coffee variety belongs to the Rubiaceae family – the third branch after Robusta and Arabica. It is nicknamed “Cà phê mít” (Jackfruit Coffee) because the tree’s shape and leaves resemble those of the familiar jackfruit tree.

The main advantage of this coffee variety lies in its strong adaptability to different climates and better resistance to pests compared to other types. However, Cherry coffee has a rather sour taste, making it less popular for mass production, accounting for only about 1% of global coffee consumption.
Nevertheless, with its shiny beans, distinctive flavor, and long-lasting tree vitality, Cherry coffee still holds a unique position on Vietnam’s coffee map.

See more: Journey From Seed To Delicious Cup Of Coffee

Moka Coffee
Among the coffee varieties cultivated in Vietnam, Moka is considered one of the rarest and most difficult to grow. Belonging to the Arabica group, this plant requires harsh natural conditions and is highly susceptible to pests, leading to low yields and very limited availability in the market.

Moka coffee stands out with its refined flavor: a mild bitterness combined with a slight acidity and a creamy sensation on the tongue, delivering a distinctive tasting experience compared to regular coffee. This uniqueness has made Moka a favorite choice among coffee connoisseurs.

Where Are Vietnam’s Coffee Varieties Grown the Most?
Each region is associated with its own signature coffee varieties. The most prominent is Buôn Ma Thuột (Đắk Lắk) – renowned as the “capital of Robusta coffee,” producing beans with bold bitterness, high caffeine content, and a rich, amber-brown brew.

In addition, Gia Lai and Kon Tum are also ideal regions for Robusta, producing coffee with a strong flavor and lingering aftertaste, perfectly suited to the traditional Vietnamese phin-brewed coffee style.
While the Central Highlands is renowned for Robusta, Lâm Đồng — especially Đà Lạt — has been blessed by nature to cultivate Arabica. Arabica coffee here is known for its captivating aroma, mild acidity with a hint of sweetness, and is highly favored in many international markets.

Not limited to the Central Highlands, the northern mountainous region such as Sơn La also has unique Arabica plantations. Though the beans are smaller, they offer a delicate and refined taste.
In addition, provinces like Quảng Trị and Đồng Nai also have significant coffee-growing areas, though they cannot yet compare with the key regions mentioned above.

It is precisely this diversity in soil and climate that has painted a rich picture of Vietnamese coffee, delivering flavors ranging from bold and robust to subtle and elegant, further solidifying Vietnam’s position on the world coffee map.

Today, Vietnam boasts a wide variety of coffee, each with its own unique style and flavor, enriching the coffee culture of the Vietnamese people. The above article on Goce Coffee has provided the answer to the question: How many types of coffee are there in Vietnam? If you have any other questions, feel free to leave them below and we will be happy to answer.