Hoi An: Vietnamese Coffee Making Workshop at Local Roastery

Vietnamese coffee is not just strong coffee poured over ice. In this small Hoi An workshop, you learn why the phin filter matters, then turn that base into egg, coconut, or salt coffee under a local barista’s guidance. I like the choice of two drinks and the fact that the ingredients and methods are simple enough to repeat at home. I also like the relaxed finish, when you sit with your own coffees instead of rushing straight out.

The main thing to keep in mind is the timing. The class is advertised as one hour, but the full session can run 60 to 75 minutes, and one participant found the pace a little brisk when other groups were waiting. It takes place inside a working coffee shop, not a private cooking studio, so expect a friendly, practical setting rather than a polished show kitchen.

Key points at a glance

• Choose two local coffee styles: Make any two of phin, egg, coconut, or salt coffee.
• Learn from the bean upward: The introduction covers Vietnamese coffee growing, roasting methods, and brewing.
• Beginner-friendly instruction: The barista explains each step and supplies all tools and ingredients.
• Central Hoi An location: Meet at Trí Long Coffee, 88 Phan Châu Trinh Street.
• A useful take-home skill: The recipes use ingredients and equipment that are easy to source, and some sessions have included recipe sheets and certificates.
• Good value at $16: You get instruction plus two coffees you make yourself, with no hotel transfer needed.

Why this Hoi An coffee class is worth your morning

For $16 per person, this is a modestly priced activity that gives you more than a drink stop. You get a short lesson, practical instruction, two coffees, and time to enjoy what you made. That matters in Hoi An, where it is easy to spend the same amount on a couple of café drinks without learning much about them.

I especially like the choice between familiar and unusual styles. The phin coffee is the place to start if you want the classic Vietnamese experience: slow brewed, dark, and usually paired with sweetened condensed milk. Egg coffee is softer and dessert-like. Coconut coffee is cool and refreshing, while salt coffee adds a sweet-salty creaminess that may be new to you.

The class is also useful for people who do not think of themselves as coffee experts. You do not need previous experience. The tools, ingredients, and work area are prepared for you, and the barista walks you through the process instead of leaving you to guess.

The setting has a social side, but it is not described as a large group event. Several sessions have been small enough for easy questions, and one booking had only two people. Group size can vary, so I would not count on a private lesson, but the format appears best suited to a small group where you can see the demonstration and ask about the recipes.

Arriving at Trí Long Coffee on Phan Châu Trinh Street

The meeting point is Trí Long Coffee at 88 Phan Châu Trinh Street in central Hoi An. You do not need hotel pickup, and transport is not included, so plan to reach the café on your own.

Arrive five minutes early. Look for the guide outside wearing a red hat. That detail is helpful because the activity takes place at a functioning coffee shop, where it may not be immediately obvious who is leading the class. If you have trouble finding the spot, contact the provider through your booking.

Comfortable shoes are sensible, along with water, sunscreen, and a hat if you are walking there in Hoi An’s heat. Bring a camera if you want pictures of the preparation, but smoking is not allowed during the activity.

The opening coffee lesson takes about 15 minutes

The first few minutes are used for a welcome and a quick explanation of how the workshop works. You then hear about Vietnam’s coffee culture, from the way beans are grown and roasted to the methods used to turn them into drinks.

This is not a long lecture, which is a good fit for a one-hour class. The history gives the drinks some context without taking over the practical part. You learn why the phin filter is such an important part of the local coffee ritual and how roasting affects the final cup.

The introduction also covers different types of beans, roasting approaches, and brewing techniques. The exact level of detail may depend on the guide and the size of the group, but the purpose is clear: you should understand what you are making before you start mixing ingredients.

Guides named in past sessions include Tee, Thi, and Houng, and the English-language instruction has been praised for being clear and friendly. Guide assignments can change, so book this for the activity itself rather than for a particular person.

Picking two drinks from four very different styles

After the introduction, you select two drinks. This is the decision that shapes the rest of the class.

Phin coffee is the most traditional choice. The small metal filter sits over the cup while the coffee slowly drips through. It is a good pick if you want to understand the base used in many Vietnamese coffee drinks.

Egg coffee is the most distinctive option for many first-time visitors. The coffee is paired with a creamy egg mixture, giving it a sweet, rich texture. If you prefer dessert-style drinks, this is likely to be one of your best choices.

Coconut coffee is a strong choice for a hot day in Hoi An. The coconut element makes it cool and refreshing, and it has been a favorite in several sessions. It is also a useful choice if you want a less familiar drink that still feels approachable.

Salt coffee sounds strange until you try it. The salt is used to balance the drink rather than make it taste salty. It gives the coffee a memorable sweet-and-salty character.

If you are booking with a partner, you can each choose different drinks and compare them afterward. That does not give each person hands-on practice with all four, but it lets two people sample a wider range. If you are booking as a family, the choices also make it easy for each person to pick a style that suits them.

Making the coffees is the heart of the experience

The hands-on section takes about 25 to 30 minutes. The barista supplies the equipment and ingredients, then explains the process step by step. You do the actual preparation rather than simply watching a demonstration.

That distinction is important. You learn how the ingredients are combined, how the coffee is brewed, and how the final texture is created. The instructions are designed for beginners, and the recipes do not require complicated equipment. You should be able to recreate the drinks at home with ordinary kitchen items and a few easily sourced ingredients.

The class is not a professional barista course. You will not leave with advanced espresso skills or a formal coffee qualification. What you do get is a clear introduction to four Vietnamese styles and enough practical detail to try them again.

Some sessions have included a printed recipe sheet, and some people have also received a certificate at the end. Those are nice additions, especially if you want a reminder of the measurements and method, but they should be treated as possible extras rather than guaranteed inclusions.

The pace deserves a small warning. The class usually fits into the advertised hour, but the full experience can last up to 75 minutes. One participant felt the preparation was a little rushed because other groups were waiting and the café also serves regular customers. If you want a long, slow lesson with extensive experimentation, this may feel compact. If you want an efficient introduction during a busy Hoi An itinerary, the pace is more likely to suit you.

Sitting down with two coffees you made yourself

Once the drinks are finished, you sit in the coffee shop and enjoy both creations. The room is described as comfortable and music-filled, which gives the final part a relaxed feel after the practical work.

This is one of the better features of the format. You are not simply handed a cup and told what it is. You have watched the process, handled the ingredients, and can judge the result for yourself. You can take photos, compare the two styles, and ask questions while the details are still fresh.

The coffee tasting also helps you understand the differences between the recipes. A phin coffee lets you focus on the brew. Egg coffee is about texture. Coconut coffee is lighter and refreshing, while salt coffee is all about balance. Making two styles side by side gives you a more useful introduction than ordering one drink at a regular café.

There is no food included, and extra drinks are not part of the price. If you need a full snack or breakfast, plan to eat separately. For most people, the two included coffees are enough for the activity, especially if you are sensitive to caffeine.

What the $16 price really covers

At $16 per person, the cost is reasonable for a one-hour cultural activity in central Hoi An. You are paying for a live English-speaking guide, all ingredients and equipment, hands-on practice, and two finished drinks. There is no added transport cost because you make your own way to the café.

The value is strongest if you are curious about Vietnamese coffee and want a skill you can use after your trip. It is less compelling if you only want a quick drink, since Hoi An has plenty of cafés where you can order one without taking a class.

The class also avoids a common problem with shopping-focused activities. The coffee shop sells beans, but the experience is not built around pressuring you to buy something. You can ask about beans, roasts, and brewing, then decide for yourself if you want to purchase anything.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available start times when booking, since the duration is listed as one hour even though some sessions last closer to 75 minutes.

Who will enjoy this class most

I would recommend this workshop to:

• First-time visitors who want a friendly introduction to Vietnamese coffee
• Coffee drinkers who enjoy learning how local drinks are made
• Couples who want to choose different recipes and compare cups
• Families with older children who can follow simple preparation steps
• Anyone looking for a short indoor activity during a hot or rainy part of the day
• Home cooks who want recipes that do not require specialist equipment

It is also a good fit if you have only a short time in Hoi An. The central location and compact schedule make it easy to fit around sightseeing.

I would be more cautious if you dislike sweet drinks, since egg, coconut, and salt coffee are all built around distinctive flavor combinations. You can choose phin coffee, but the class still focuses on local preparation rather than plain black coffee alone.

This is not the right choice if you want a broad tour of coffee farms or a long technical session on roasting. You learn about roasting and coffee production, but the main event is preparing two finished drinks in a city café.

Practical tips for choosing your drinks

If you have never tried Vietnamese coffee, choose phin and one of the specialty drinks. That combination gives you the traditional base and a more unusual recipe.

For a sweet, creamy pair, choose egg and coconut. For the most distinctive tasting session, choose egg and salt. For a refreshing option in warm weather, coconut is the easy choice.

If you are traveling with someone else, consider choosing four different drinks between you. Each person still makes two, but you can share small tastes afterward and get a better sense of the menu.

Arrive ready to participate. Wear comfortable shoes, keep your camera nearby, and avoid scheduling something immediately afterward. The official duration is one hour, but allowing 75 minutes gives you breathing room.

Should you book the Hoi An coffee workshop?

Book it if you want more than a café stop. The strongest parts are the hands-on method, the choice of two drinks, the clear beginner-level guidance, and the chance to sit with coffee you prepared yourself. At $16, it offers solid value for a short cultural activity.

Skip it if your priority is a long roasting demonstration, a coffee farm visit, or a quiet private lesson. The workshop takes place in a working shop, and the pace can feel brisk when several groups are moving through.

For most visitors, this is an easy addition to a Hoi An day. Choose one traditional style and one specialty drink, arrive five minutes early, and treat the class as a practical introduction to a part of Vietnamese daily life that you can take home in your own kitchen.

FAQ

Where does the coffee workshop take place?

It takes place at Trí Long Coffee, 88 Phan Châu Trinh Street in central Hoi An.

How long does the activity last?

The workshop is listed as one hour, but the full session can last 60 to 75 minutes.

How much does the workshop cost?

The price is $16 per person.

Which coffees can I make?

You can choose two of four styles: phin filter coffee, egg coffee, coconut coffee, or salt coffee.

Are the tools and ingredients included?

Yes. The workshop includes all necessary coffee-making tools and ingredients.

Do I make the coffees myself?

Yes. The activity is hands-on, and the barista guides you through each drink step by step.

Is the workshop suitable for beginners?

Yes. No previous coffee-making experience is required.

What language is the workshop conducted in?

The live tour guide language is English.

Is transportation from my hotel included?

No. Hotel pickup and transportation are not included, so you need to reach Trí Long Coffee yourself.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive five minutes before the scheduled start. Look for the guide outside wearing a red hat.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Can I reserve without paying immediately?

Yes. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you book without paying on the day of reservation.