1. Beyond the clichés

When people think of Vietnamese coffee, they often picture instant blends or low-grade Robusta. After spending the summer of 2025 in Buon Ma Thuot, I realized how outdated that perception is. For two months, I worked with Helena Coffee, a local exporter deeply involved in quality control and farmer support. That experience reshaped the way I see Vietnam’s place in the specialty world.

2. Living in Buon Ma Thuot, the land of Robusta

Buon Ma Thuot is authentic and quieter than Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, yet coffee is everywhere. The Coffee Museum stands as a symbol of the region’s identity. At Helena Coffee’s quality lab, I joined daily cuppings with Mike, one of the most passionate professionals I’ve met. We cupped washed, honey, and natural lots, discussing how careful fermentation and drying elevate Robusta far beyond its old reputation.

3. Meeting the people behind the beans

Visiting Helena’s Robusta farms with Mike and Suyong was a highlight. Walking through the farms with them, I could see how much preparation goes into harvest. Even before the first cherries ripen, everything is planned to ensure quality and consistency. In the warehouses, we discussed how the team separates fine and commercial grades once the season starts, all with one goal: producing cleaner, sweeter, and traceable Vietnamese coffee.

4. Tasting Vietnam’s new wave

The Honey Robusta impressed me the most — sweet, round, notes of cane sugar and chocolate, with a remarkably clean finish. It’s the kind of cup that changes minds. Then came a surprise: a Typica Arabica from Lam Dong, delicate and floral, cupped side by side with Robusta. Together, they showed Vietnam’s dual identity — the world’s largest producer reinventing itself through quality and diversity.

5. From farm to export: growing potential

My trip ended in Lam Dong, where we visited Arabica farms and loaded a shipment for Europe. Seeing the full chain — from trees to port — made one thing clear: Vietnam is not standing still. With exporters like Helena Coffee and importers like SONECA working together, the country’s future in fine coffee looks very promising.

6. A new chapter begins

Vietnam is no longer just the land of bulk Robusta. It’s a place where innovation, transparency, and craftsmanship are taking root — one lot at a time. For roasters, this is an opportunity to rediscover an origin that combines consistency, sweetness, and traceability.