Vietnamese drinks are less talked about when it comes to Vietnamese cuisine. Sure, noodle soups and banh mi are exquisite but not many visitors think about what they are going to drink between meals while in Vietnam, and that’s a mistake because Vietnam is actually home to a lot of amazing and creative drinks. Some would even say drinking sessions are as important as eating, whether it's a morning coffee, a quick afternoon tea break or a late night gathering of friends over a round of beer, it’s safe to say Vietnamese people love their drinks. Being in a tropical climate, most of these drinks are served over ice, even beer, which can shock a lot of foreigners (we don’t care, they are so refreshing, especially accompanied by a plate of grilled dried squid). In this article, let’s find out the top 7 must try drinks in Vietnam, from iced coffee to more acquired tastes like rice wine, that are guaranteed to quench your thirst and leave you satisfied! 

Coffee

Vietnamese people drink coffee at any moment of the day, even at night, and you can find coffee at any corner in the streets, from fancy coffee shops to little to-go coffee stands. Even though coffee is introduced to Vietnam by the French, Vietnamese coffee has its own uniqueness and has become a must try drink in Vietnam alongside pho and banh mi. 

Vietnamese coffee is typically made using Robusta coffee beans, which are known for their strong, bitter flavor and higher caffeine content, and sweetened condensed milk for a creamy and rich touch neutralizing the coffee. There are a lot of different coffee drinks: egg coffee, salt coffee, ca phe sua da (sweetened iced coffee), coconut coffee, etc. Whatever you’re having, it’s a delightful and unique experience. For Vietnamese people, coffee is not just a drink, it's a lifestyle.

Smoothies

Smoothies are super popular and can be found anywhere in Vietnam, and there’s a wide range too, from mango, banana, strawberries to rarer, more exotic ones like dragon fruit, avocado, papaya, soursop, durian, etc. anything can be found. These smoothies are usually mixed with yogurt or condensed milk for a creamy texture and added sweetness. Smoothies are an affordable and refreshing drink, perfect on a hot summer day or as an afternoon snack. The diversity and its benefits make this drink a favorite among Vietnamese people, especially health-conscious people, and definitely a must try Vietnamese drink when you have the chance to visit the country. 

Sugarcane Juice

Vietnamese sugarcane juice, known as "nước mía", is a popular and refreshing Vietnamese drink, especially during hot and humid weather. You can find sugarcane juice stalls almost anywhere on the streets of Vietnam. You’ll see the vendors put sugarcane stalks cut in manageable lengths into a special juicer built just for sugarcanes. While the classic version is the pure, unadulterated juice, there are also other variations of the drinks, where other ingredients are included, like coconut or a bit of kumquat for a citrus touch. This drink is so accessible and super cheap, costing from just 10.000 VND ($0.41) and usually sold in disposable plastic cups or plastic bags, which make this drink worth trying even more!

Nuoc Dua - Fresh Coconut

Nuoc dua, or fresh coconut water, is a refreshing and popular drink in Vietnam, as well as in many other tropical regions around the world. Nước dừa is typically served fresh, directly from the coconut. A small hole is made in the top of the coconut, and a straw is inserted to allow you to drink the coconut water straight from the source. Coconut water has a naturally sweet and slightly nutty flavor. The taste may vary depending on the coconut's age and variety, but it's generally a pleasant and refreshing drink. Coconut water is not only delicious but also nutritious, making it a great choice for staying hydrated and enjoying a taste of the tropics. In Vietnam, you can find coconut water sold by street vendors, served chilled for a refreshing experience, especially on a hot day.

Iced Green Tea - Tra Da

Tra da has been a common and popular Vietnamese drink since the latter half of the 20th century in Vietnam. You can pretty much find them anywhere, they are even more popular than coffee and sugarcane juice stands combined for they’re so cheap, from 3.000 VND a cup. Vietnamese tra da is not the typical sweetened iced tea you think of, it’s diluted fresh green tea, so it’s still a little bit bitter, served with ice in a glass cup. Drinking tra da has become a tradition in Vietnam, you can find people of all ages in little tra da shops, at any moment of the day. In the morning, older people enjoy their nice cup of tra da while reading a piece of newspaper after going for a morning walk. In the afternoon, you see students go for a tra da and cool down after school. Later in the evening, friends gather around in one of these shops while having a cigarette or Vietnamese tobacco (thuoc lao), which is also served in these shops. You can even find this drink in any restaurant, it’s the cheapest choice and goes well with anything. As you can see, “đi trà đá” (which literally translates to going for a tra da) has become a culture and won’t go out of style anytime soon. 

Nhan Tran

This is a delicious herbal tea made from nhan tran leaves, a must try Vietnamese drink and also commonly found in tra da shops. The drink is fragrant and has a lingering sweetness from “cam thao'' or Chinese liquorice. Although nhan tran is the perfect caffeine-free alternative to tra da, it is recommended to drink this in moderation because the liquorice can cause inner heat. However, nhan tran is still adored by Vietnamese people and similar to tra da, it can be found anywhere and in most restaurants. 

Rice Wine

Korea has Soju, Japan has Sake, well, Vietnam also has something to bring to the table: Ruou Nep. Vietnamese rice wine is made by fermenting rice and has a higher alcohol content (>20%, maybe even 35% ABV) compared to Soju (12-20 %) or Sake (18-20 %). It's a Vietnamese drink commonly served during special occasions and family gatherings in Vietnam, including Lunar New Year (Tet) and weddings. Sticky rice wine is deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture and traditions, and making it is often a family affair, with recipes and techniques passed down through generations. It's a unique and flavorful alcoholic beverage that is cherished for its distinctive taste and cultural significance.

Above are just some of the most popular beverages in Vietnam. We left out a lot of stuff, including Chè, which is a whole other category because they’re neither a drink nor a food, but rather a tasty dessert soup. Anyway, it can’t hurt to try these drinks, they cost so little and are the perfect midday pick-me-up, not to mention they are extremely tasty. If you’re traveling to Vietnam, you can even check out some of these articles, which might be useful:

=> Top 10 Best Tropical Fruits In Vietnam