Walk down any street in Vietnam and you’ll still hear the gentle tink of a spoon against glass, the aroma of bold Phin Coffee drifting through humid air, and people talking—about life, love, or tomorrow's weather. The phin filter, humble in design yet rich in meaning, is not just a brewing tool. It’s a vessel of memory, a marker of change, and a quiet revolution of Vietnamese Coffee.
In this second part of our series on the History of Phin Coffee, we trace its journey from post-war resilience to the polished world of modern specialty coffee.
Phin Coffee in Vietnamese Memory: The 70s–90s
After the Vietnam War, life was tough. The country was rebuilding from the ground up. Yet even in times of scarcity, coffee remained—thanks to the phin.
During the late 1970s to early 1990s, the phin became a quiet companion to daily life. It was found everywhere: on sidewalks, in alleyways, at homes, in state-run cafés. Brewing coffee with a phin didn’t require much—just coarse Vietnamese Coffee Beans, boiling water, and time.
Glass Tumblers, Tiny Stools, Bold Cups of Vietnamese Coffee on Street Corners
Picture this: a low plastic stool on a pavement, a short glass tumbler with thick dark liquid settling beneath a phin, and beside it, a tall glass of iced tea—free, of course. This was the Vietnamese Coffee culture in its purest form.
The coffee was strong and unapologetically bitter, often pre-roasted with butter or rice wine to deepen its flavor. It was brewed slowly, savored even slower, and came with the soft chatter of passersby and distant motorbikes. No espresso machines, no latte art—just life, as it was.
For many Vietnamese growing up during this era, the phin holds deeply nostalgic value. It’s a symbol of resilience, simplicity, and small joys during a time of great change.
The Shift: Privatization and the Rise of Local Brands
From State-Owned to Entrepreneurial
In the late 1980s, Vietnam began Đổi Mới—a sweeping set of economic reforms that opened the country to private enterprise. This policy change was a turning point, not only for the economy but for coffee.
Previously, coffee farming and trade were largely state-controlled. After Đổi Mới, private farmers, traders, and entrepreneurs entered the scene. The Central Highlands, especially regions like Buôn Ma Thuột and Lâm Đồng, experienced a coffee boom. Robusta beans became Vietnam’s agricultural powerhouse, turning the country into the world’s second-largest coffee producer by the early 2000s.
At the same time, local coffee brands began to emerge. Some focused on volume and affordability, others on building identity and trust. For better or worse, coffee was no longer just a street ritual—it was now a competitive industry.
This shift changed how coffee was brewed, consumed, and sold.
With economic growth came changes in how Vietnamese people consumed coffee. Cafés evolved—some kept their plastic stools, others upgraded to glass walls and air conditioning. But the phin remained a constant, adapting quietly to the shifting landscape.
Local brands began packaging Vietnamese Coffee Beans with branded phin filters. Some introduced flavored blends; others experimented with roasting levels. What was once brewed on street corners now started appearing in gift boxes and export shelves.
Vietnamese people were no longer just drinking Phin Coffee—they were building businesses, telling stories, and redefining what Vietnamese Coffee could be.
Phin in the 21st Century: From Street Brew to Curated Craft
Today, the phin is in the midst of a renaissance. It’s no longer just a tool for daily caffeine—it’s a cultural artifact being rediscovered by a new generation of Vietnamese who are proud of their roots and passionate about reimagining them.
Specialty Cafés, Brew Workshops, Reimagined Phin Designs
Across cities like Hanoi, Đà Nẵng, and Saigon, specialty cafés are embracing the phin in new and creative ways. Baristas are measuring brew ratios, using single-origin beans, and carefully controlling temperature and grind size—treating the phin with the same precision usually reserved for pour-over or espresso.
The phin is being redesigned too. Sleek, stainless steel models with modern branding are replacing the clunky aluminum ones. Some come in matte black, others in brushed gold. Brewing has become an art form, not just a habit.
Coffee workshops now teach young people how to brew phin properly—from water temperature to bloom time to cup tasting. It’s not about nostalgia; it’s about craft.
Bridging Tradition and Modernity
At the heart of it all, the phin remains uniquely Vietnamese. Even as the world around it changes—urbanization, global trends, digital lifestyles—it continues to offer something rare: slowness in a fast world.
Young Vietnamese are reclaiming the phin not only as a method but as a message—a way to reconnect with cultural identity, family memory, and national pride. In a world chasing speed, Phin Coffee whispers something softer: patience, presence, and personality.
Phin Coffee Today: Living Heritage in Every Cup
The phin filter isn’t just surviving—it’s thriving. It has moved beyond Vietnam’s borders, making appearances in coffee shops in Melbourne, Tokyo, New York, and Paris. But no matter where it goes, it carries with it the soul of Vietnam.
At Phin Coffee, we believe the phin is more than a brewing tool. It’s a story, a memory, and a way of being. Whether you’re enjoying a quiet morning or sharing a conversation with someone special, the phin invites you to slow down, stay grounded, and savor the moment.
So here’s to the next generation of phin lovers—may you honor the past and brew boldly into the future.
Read Further
Want to know how it all began? → How Phin Coffee Became a Vietnamese Icon
Explore our curated Vietnamese Coffee Beans and contemporary phin kits, crafted for those who value both heritage and innovation—available now at www.phincoffee.com.au