Vietnamese Coffee Workshop by Rose Kitchen in Ha Noi

Vietnamese coffee is more than a strong cup with condensed milk. At this small-group workshop in Hanoi, you’ll hear how local coffee culture developed, compare pure and blended beans, and make signature drinks yourself. It’s a practical way to understand the coffee menu you’ll see around town.

I like two things in particular: the mix of coffee-making and cultural stories, and the chance to work with traditional brewing methods rather than only watch someone else prepare a drink. The garden setting also offers a quieter change of pace from Hanoi’s busy streets.

One thing to plan for: Su Quán Roastery is tucked into an alley, and cars may not reach the door. The organizers provide directions, but leave time to find the entrance and check your package carefully, since it determines how many coffee styles you make.

At a glance

• Make two, three, or four signature styles: Choose a package based on how many coffees you want to prepare.
• Learn what’s behind the cup: The session covers Vietnamese coffee culture, bean types, and the stories attached to local favorites.
• Try hands-on brewing: You’ll use traditional brewing methods and the equipment is provided.
• Expect an intimate class: Groups are limited to 2 to 10 participants.
• Allow 1.5 to 2 hours: Classes start every hour from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
• Find the roastery in an alley: The address is 75/173 Hoàng Hoa Thám Street, in Ba Đình District.

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A coffee class, not just a tasting

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The workshop takes place at Su Quán Roastery, where the focus is both on making coffee and understanding why Vietnamese coffee tastes and looks the way it does. The session is led in English by a local instructor, described as a coffee artisan or culture storyteller. Instructors have included Mark, Kim, Collins, Max, Alex, and Piey, though you shouldn’t count on a particular person teaching your class.

That personal guidance matters if you’re new to phin brewing or unfamiliar with Vietnamese coffee names. Instructors explain the steps as you go, and the format is intended to be interactive, not a long lecture. The tone is relaxed, so you don’t need to arrive with coffee expertise or steady barista hands.

The class is also more than a sequence of recipes. You’ll hear about the country’s coffee culture and how history shaped it. One example is the origin story of egg coffee, a Hanoi specialty that turns coffee into something closer to a dessert. These details help make sense of the variety you’ll encounter in cafés after class.

Finding Su Quán Roastery in Hoàng Hoa Thám

The meeting point is 75/173 Hoàng Hoa Thám Street, Ngọc Hồ, Ba Đình. The roastery is reached through a local alley, so don’t assume a taxi can drop you directly at the entrance. Cars may stop on the outer road, and from there you may need to follow the directions sent by the organizer.

Give yourself a little extra time, especially if you’re visiting Hanoi for the first time or relying on a map pin. The venue sends directions by chat, and staff may be able to help if you get turned around. If you arrive at the wrong spot, contact the organizer rather than wandering deeper into the lanes and hoping the address sorts itself out.

The setting is described as a peaceful garden space with cultural character. That gives the class a welcome pause from Hanoi’s traffic and street noise, though the exact feel of the space may depend on the weather and how busy the session is. Air-conditioning is included, and the small group size helps keep the class personal.

The opening: tea, coffee history, and bean types

On arrival, you’re offered a complimentary herbal tea made from the roastery’s signature recipe. Welcome fruit and snacks are listed as inclusions, though the exact refreshments may vary. Treat the tea as a gentle start, not the main event: the real focus is the coffee and the stories behind it.

The instructor introduces Vietnam’s coffee culture and explains the difference between pure and blended beans. That distinction is useful beyond the class. Coffee descriptions can be hard to judge when you’re new to a place, but learning what the terms mean gives you a better basis for choosing a cup in a café or buying beans later.

The history portion is kept connected to what you’ll taste and make. You may hear how coffee customs changed over time and why particular drinks became local favorites. The class doesn’t set out to be a full history course, but it gives you context that a quick café stop usually can’t.

Brewing by hand with a phin

The workshop includes hands-on brewing with traditional equipment, including the Vietnamese phin, or with modern methods. The equipment and materials are provided, so there’s no need to bring anything beyond your curiosity and, ideally, room for coffee.

A phin is a small metal filter that sits over a cup. Using one gives you a feel for the patient, slower side of Vietnamese coffee preparation, which contrasts with the fast pace of Hanoi outside. You’ll follow the instructor’s steps and make the coffee yourself, rather than only watching a demonstration.

The package determines how many signature styles you prepare: two, three, or four. The activity is also described as covering six types overall, but that does not mean every package includes all six. Check the exact package details before booking if a particular drink matters to you. The class is guided, so it may not suit someone who wants to experiment entirely on their own; one participant wished for more independent practice.

Egg, coconut, salt, and other local favorites

The sample menu includes egg coffee, coconut coffee, salt coffee, Vietnamese iced milk coffee, and bạc xỉu, a light, sweet milk coffee. A vegan egg coffee option is available. These recipes show how varied Vietnamese coffee can be, from rich and creamy to chilled and sweet.

Egg coffee is a good choice if you want to understand a Hanoi specialty and learn how its unusual topping is prepared. Coconut coffee offers a different flavor and texture, while salt coffee gives you a savory counterpoint to the sweetness. Vietnamese iced milk coffee is the familiar classic, and bạc xỉu is a gentler option if you prefer more milk and less coffee intensity.

The drinks you make depend on your selected package and the class format. Don’t expect to prepare every item on the sample menu in a single session. Some classes have also included cocktail-style drinks, but the listed sample menu is the best guide to the core options, not a guarantee that every class will serve every variation.

A practical note for anyone sensitive to caffeine: even a short workshop can involve several tastings. You can tell your instructor if you’re not keen on coffee or want to pace yourself. The relaxed format and attentive teaching style make it easier to take part without feeling pushed to drink every cup.

A small group, with room for questions

Classes are limited to 2 to 10 people. That size makes it easier to see the brewing steps and ask questions than in a large demonstration. It also means you’ll share the work area and instructor’s attention with the rest of the group, rather than having a private class.

The instructors named for previous sessions include Mark, Kim, Collins, Max, Alex, and Piey. Their teaching styles vary, but the aim is consistent: explain the process clearly, keep it lively, and make the class accessible to beginners. The experience is conducted in English, which is useful for international visitors, though the pace and phrasing may take extra concentration if English isn’t your first language.

This format works well for solo participants, couples, and small groups. It’s also a thoughtful activity for people who want a shared experience that isn’t another walking tour. Families should note the age policy: children aged 0 to 10 are listed as free, while those aged 10 and older pay the adult rate. Since age 10 appears in both descriptions, confirm the policy for a 10-year-old before booking.

What the price covers, and how to choose a package

The package options are listed from US$14.29 for two signature styles, US$15.75 for three, and US$17.15 for four. The experience is also advertised from US$15.75, so the displayed starting price can depend on the package or booking conditions. Check the total shown for your date before paying.

For a few dollars more, the four-style option gives you the widest taste of the workshop’s coffee menu. If you want the cultural explanation and a couple of hands-on drinks, two styles may be enough. Three is a sensible middle ground if you’re curious but don’t want a long caffeine session.

The price includes admission, an English-speaking guide, refreshments, snacks, equipment, and materials. Private transportation, tips, and personal expenses are not included. There’s no listed requirement to buy coffee or equipment, so you can enjoy the class without treating it as a sales stop.

The value lies in the combination of instruction, tasting, and local context, not simply in the number of cups. If you plan to drink Vietnamese coffee throughout your stay, taking the class early can help you recognize styles and order with more confidence. If you’re already a coffee specialist, the cultural stories and recipes may be more useful than the basic brewing lesson.

Timing and small details worth knowing

The workshop runs daily, Monday through Sunday, from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with a new class starting every hour. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours. Reservations should be made at least one hour ahead, and the last admission is at 6:00 PM.

Bring your mobile voucher for entry. The voucher is valid only on the date and time specified, if a time is listed. Changes are allowed until 24 hours before the activity starts, with exceptions for certain booking types. Cancellations made at least 24 hours before the activity date qualify for a full refund, based on local destination time.

A 30 percent surcharge applies on certain 2026 public holidays: New Year’s Day, Lunar New Year from February 17 to 20, Hung Kings’ Commemoration Day on April 26, with April 27 as a substitute if applicable, April 30 and May 1, and National Day on September 2. Pets are not permitted, and anyone who appears intoxicated may be refused service without a refund.

Who will get the most from this workshop?

I’d put this near the start of a Hanoi stay if you want a useful introduction to local coffee. You’ll learn how several well-known drinks are made, and the stories can make later café visits more interesting. It’s a good fit for curious beginners, coffee fans who enjoy learning by doing, and couples or small groups looking for a low-key cultural activity.

It may be less appealing if you want a completely self-directed session, prefer not to drink caffeine, or are mainly looking for a scenic café stop. This is a class, so expect explanation and guided preparation, not just a quiet table and a cup. The alley location also rewards a little planning.

Should you book it?

Book the workshop if you want to connect Hanoi’s coffee rituals with the drinks themselves. The combination of local stories, bean comparison, and hands-on phin brewing gives you more than a tasting, while the small group and modest price make it an easy activity to fit into a city visit.

Choose your package according to how many coffees you want to make, and don’t assume the class covers all six styles. Arrive with time to find the alley, and consider booking an early session if you want the coffee context before spending the rest of your trip sampling cafés.

FAQ

Where is the Vietnamese Coffee Workshop?

It meets at Su Quán Roastery, 75/173 Hoàng Hoa Thám Street, Ngọc Hồ, Ba Đình, Hanoi. The roastery is in a local alley, and cars may only reach the outer road.

How long does the workshop last?

Allow about 1.5 to 2 hours.

What time do classes run?

Classes run every day from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with a new class starting every hour. Last admission is at 6:00 PM.

How many coffee styles can I make?

Packages are available for two, three, or four signature styles. The number you make depends on the package you book.

Which drinks are included on the sample menu?

The sample menu lists egg coffee, coconut coffee, salt coffee, Vietnamese iced milk coffee, and bạc xỉu. A vegan option is available for egg coffee.

Is the class suitable for beginners?

Yes. The workshop is guided in English, and the instructor explains the coffee-making steps. No prior coffee-making experience is specified as a requirement.

How many people are in a class?

The group size is listed as 2 to 10 participants.

What is included in the price?

Admission, an English-speaking guide or culture storyteller, refreshments, snacks, welcome herbal tea, brewing equipment, and materials are included. Private transportation, tips, and personal expenses are not.

Do I need to reserve in advance?

A reservation should be made at least one hour in advance. Classes start hourly during the stated opening hours.

Can I cancel or change my booking?

A full refund is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity date, using local destination time. Changes are allowed until 24 hours before the activity starts, though some booking types are excluded.