Top 10 Leading Coffee Chain Brands in Vietnam

For young people who love hanging out at coffee shops and chatting with friends, Cộng Coffee is a familiar spot. Established in 2007, it started as a small café on Triệu Việt Vương Street in Hanoi, known for its sidewalk "cà phê cóc" (street coffee) reminiscent of the post-war era. Inspired by this unique history, Cộng Coffee embraced the spirit of the '70s, using vintage décor and a nostalgic atmosphere reflective of Vietnam's past. The name "Cộng" evokes memories of the socialist era, creating a deep connection with the country's history.

The distinctive, nostalgic ambiance of Cộng Coffee has proven irresistible to young people. Customers come not just for coffee but also to immerse themselves in the vintage decor—featuring items like military blankets, old-fashioned thermos flasks, wooden cabinets, and retro TVs—symbols of a time long past. Cộng Coffee now boasts over 14 locations in Hanoi and several franchise branches across the country, always bustling with young visitors eager to experience a touch of nostalgia.

• 94 Đ. Láng, Thịnh Quang, Đống Đa, Hanoi
• Store Locations

Starbucks is an essential name in the top 10 coffee chain brands in Vietnam, as it represents the leading global coffee chain. Founded in 1971 in Seattle, USA, Starbucks embodies the "American coffee style" and now operates over 17,800 stores across 49 countries.

Starbucks entered the Vietnamese market in 2013, after successfully establishing itself in Hong Kong and Macao. According to Patricia Marques, CEO of Starbucks Vietnam, the Vietnamese market presents huge potential. The local coffee culture, influenced by French and American colonial history, has long made coffee drinking a social tradition. As the second-largest coffee exporter in the world, Vietnam's deep coffee roots made it an ideal market for Starbucks. However, Starbucks faced tough competition from domestic brands, especially Highlands Coffee. Despite this, Starbucks has remained a strong player, slowly gaining trust among Vietnamese consumers, especially young people, high-income families, and foreign tourists in major cities.

• New World Saigon Hotel, 76 Đ. Nguyễn Thị Nghĩa, Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
• Store Locator

Phone: 028 3823 7952
Email: [email protected]
Website: starbucks.vn
Facebook: Starbucks Vietnam Facebook

As Vietnam's leading coffee retail brand, Trung Nguyên made its mark with successful franchising before launching its own coffee chain, Trung Nguyên Legend. Founded by Đặng Lê Nguyên Vũ, Trung Nguyên's flagship chain brings the company into the highly competitive coffee shop market, filling a gap that was previously overlooked.

Known for its trusted coffee quality and reputation, Trung Nguyên Legend quickly gained popularity, blending Vietnamese coffee culture with the ideals of success, happiness, and mindfulness. This unique brand vision has earned it a loyal following, making it one of the top coffee chains in Vietnam. Trung Nguyên Legend's legacy, combined with its strong financial backing, made it a dominant player in the coffee industry.

While Cộng Coffee is a leading coffee chain in Hanoi, Phúc Long Coffee and Tea

Famous not only for its variety of teas, Phúc Long is also well-known for its aromatic and robust coffee. Coffee lovers appreciate the rich flavor and unique aroma of Phúc Long’s brews, with a perfectly balanced consistency. Over the years, the brand has expanded significantly, opening stores in many large shopping malls across Vietnam to solidify its growing presence.

• Room 702, 7th Floor, Central Plaza Building, 17 Lê Duẩn, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
• Store Locator

Phone: 1900 234 518
Email:

• [email protected]
• [email protected]

Gemini Coffee is a renowned coffee chain famous for its "green and clean" philosophy. Founded in 2008, it quickly became a pioneer in the youth-oriented coffee chain scene, leading the startup trend in the coffee industry.

Unlike larger chains such as Highlands or The Coffee House, Gemini Coffee focuses on a younger demographic with middle-income, offering drinks that are "delicious, healthy, and affordable." This approach was a key factor in its survival during the coffee chain crisis of 2013. Along with traditional beverages like tea and coffee, Gemini's commitment to being "Green and Clean" has made it a memorable brand. Its core philosophy of adaptability and steady growth continues to support Gemini's success to this day.

• 168 Trung Kính, Cầu Giấy, Hanoi
• Store Locator

Phone: 0936 878 886
Email: [email protected]
Website: geminicoffee.vn
Facebook: Gemini Coffee Facebook

Milano Coffee is currently one of the largest coffee chains in Vietnam, with nearly 1,400 outlets. This rapid growth has been fueled by a franchise model with low investment costs and simple startup requirements. Milano Coffee has built a reputation for offering affordable, traditional street-style coffee, similar to the ‘cóc’ coffee culture, but with an emphasis on quality and consistency. Milano’s simplicity and affordability, with prices ranging from 15,000 to 25,000 VND per cup, have made it a popular choice for many, leading to rapid expansion and solid sales.

Today, Milano Coffee operates with three flexible franchise models, tailored to various business environments and diverse customer tastes across Vietnam. This adaptability has enabled the brand to strengthen its position in the franchise market, with a growing number of stores spreading across the country. If you’re looking for a place with good coffee that doesn’t require an upscale environment, Milano is the perfect choice for you.

• 590/2 Phan Văn Trị, Ward 7, Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City
• Store Locator

Phone: 1900 636 873

Email: [email protected]
Website: milanocoffee.com.vn
Facebook: Milano Coffee Vietnam

Viva Star Coffee is a relatively new player in the coffee shop scene, but it has quickly become a well-recognized name. Thanks to a smart market positioning strategy, Viva Star places itself between cheap roadside coffee stands and high-end, luxury cafes. The brand was born with the ambition and belief that it will become a globally recognized leader in the coffee industry, known as THE BEST.

When you visit Viva Star Coffee, you’re not just experiencing a modern space but also engaging in a shared coffee culture that promotes connection and a fresh approach to coffee. Viva Star is known for its diverse range of beverages, including freshly ground coffee brewed with professional equipment to ensure the highest quality and flavor. Additionally, they offer frappuccinos, Italian-style sodas, milk teas, and more, all served directly to your table for the utmost convenience and customer satisfaction.

• 53 Thành Thái, Ward 14, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City

Phone: 0966 077 088

Email: [email protected]
Website: vivastarcoffee.com
Facebook: Vivastar Coffee

Leading the top 10 list of the best coffee chains in Vietnam is Highlands Coffee. Considered the most successful coffee chain in the country, Highlands Coffee even poses a challenge to Starbucks, the world's number one coffee chain. Initially, it began by selling packaged coffee and was founded by David Thái, a Vietnamese-American, under Viet Thai International Company in 2002. Since then, Highlands Coffee has expanded its chain of stores to prime locations in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Most of their stores are strategically located at the base of buildings, near shopping malls, or at busy intersections.

The clientele of Highlands Coffee is diverse, including office workers, business professionals, and families with a higher income. Following its domestic success, international conglomerate Jollibee acquired Highlands Coffee and is continuing to expand it across Southeast Asia, introducing it to their restaurant chains in the Philippines and Indonesia. This move has solidified Highlands Coffee as not just a local success but a significant player in the region.

• 125 Nguyễn Cơ Thạch, An Lợi Đông, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City
• Store Locations: View Locations

Phone: 1900 1755
Email: [email protected]
Website: highlandscoffee.com.vn
Facebook: Highlands Coffee Vietnam

Although it was established long after Highlands Coffee, The Coffee House has made a significant impact in the market with its unique business philosophy and culture. Founded by Nguyễn Hải Ninh, a young entrepreneur who previously owned another successful coffee chain, Urban Station, The Coffee House has gained rapid success. Ninh was also named in Forbes' 30 under 30 list as one of Vietnam's most influential young individuals. Since its inception in 2014, The Coffee House has expanded to over 100 locations nationwide.

In contrast to the ambiance and culture of Highlands, The Coffee House offers a modern, sophisticated space, often with a spacious design and scenic views, aimed at attracting young people and creative professionals. It has become a popular destination for those looking to work or study in a café environment, as well as for groups of friends seeking a place to socialize. With a youthful entrepreneurial spirit, The Coffee House effectively employs logistics management and marketing tools to further its brand. Recently, it launched a viral campaign titled "From Farm to Cup" that has been highly praised by industry experts for its quality.

• 3rd-4th Floor, Hub Building, 195/10E Điện Biên Phủ, P.15, Bình Thạnh District, Ho Chi Minh City
• Store Locations: View Locations

Though it emerged well after many of the larger coffee chains, Lofita has quickly become a success story due to its distinct vision and unique product offerings. Founded by Đặng Thị Trà Giang, the CEO and founder of Namas Barista Training Academy, Lofita has been a springboard for countless coffee shops nationwide.

Since its official launch in September 2018, Lofita Tea & Coffee has already attracted over 500,000 customers and become one of the go-to spots for the youth in Hanoi. What sets Lofita apart is its distinct, custom-designed spaces that reflect the atmosphere and target audience of each location. Lofita carefully selects prime locations with spacious designs that balance indoor and outdoor areas, offering beautiful views that appeal to a wide range of customers. Lofita Tea & Coffee is supported by TuArt Group, the leading agency in Vietnam for lighting and decor, ensuring that every store features stylish, Instagram-worthy corners that attract the younger crowd while strengthening the Lofita brand. Currently, Lofita Tea & Coffee is expanding its franchise model across the country, attracting significant interest from investors nationwide.

• 225 P. Trần Quốc Hoàn, Dịch Vọng Hậu, Cầu Giấy, Hanoi
• Locations: View Locations

Phone: 1800 6503
Email: [email protected]
Website: lofita.vn
Facebook: Lofita Tea & Coffee