Hoi An: Vietnamese Coffee Making Workshop at Local Roastery

Vietnamese coffee is not just strong coffee poured over ice. In this small workshop at Trí Long Coffee, you learn how four local favorites are made, then sit down with two drinks you prepared yourself. The lesson covers roasting, beans, brewing, and the stories behind egg, coconut, salt, and phin coffee.

I like the choice of drinks, especially since you can pick two styles rather than follow a fixed recipe. I also like the practical format: the ingredients and tools are set out, the barista shows each step, and the recipes are simple enough to repeat at home. The main thing to keep in mind is that this takes place inside a working coffee shop and retail space, so the room can feel busy and the hands-on portion may feel a little quick at popular times.

Key points

• Make two drinks yourself: Choose two from phin, egg, coconut, and salt coffee.
• Learn the story behind the cup: The opening lesson covers Vietnamese coffee culture, roasting, beans, and brewing.
• Small-group feel: Some sessions have been private or nearly private, making it easy to ask questions.
• Useful take-home skills: The recipes use ordinary ingredients and do not require complicated equipment.
• A central Hoi An meeting point: Find Trí Long Coffee at 88 Phan Châu Trinh Street, with the guide in a red hat outside.
• Good value at $16: You receive instruction, ingredients, tools, and two coffees you make yourself.

What the Hoi An coffee workshop is really like

This is a hands-on introduction to one of Vietnam’s most enjoyable daily rituals. You are not simply served a cup and given a short talk. You choose your drinks, measure and mix ingredients, follow the brewing steps, and taste the results while the process is still fresh in your mind.

The class is held at Trí Long Coffee, a local roastery and coffee shop in central Hoi An. The setting is comfortable, with music playing and space to sit with your finished drinks. Since it is also a shop, you may see normal café activity around the class. That gives the experience a working, local feel, but it also means you should not expect a silent cooking school or a polished studio built only for classes.

The rating is 4.8 from 174 bookings, and the strongest pattern is clear: people praise the friendly instructors, easy steps, tasty coffee, and short but useful background lesson. Guides named in past sessions include Tee, Thi, Houng, and other baristas. English is the working language.

Arriving at Trí Long Coffee on Phan Châu Trinh Street

The meeting point is 88 Phan Châu Trinh Street, in central Hoi An. You meet the guide outside the shop, looking for a red hat. Arrive about five minutes early, since the workshop is timed and the opening introduction begins soon after the scheduled start.

You do not get hotel pickup, so plan your own way there. The location is in the city center and is intended to be easy to find, but follow the provider’s directions carefully if you use a Grab car or taxi. One useful tip from past bookings is to follow the recommended instructions when entering the address into a ride app.

Wear comfortable shoes. You will not need special coffee gear, but a camera, water, sunscreen, and a hat are sensible items if you are walking around Hoi An before or after the class. Smoking is not allowed during the activity.

Five minutes of welcome and ten minutes of coffee culture

The first five minutes are for introductions and a quick outline of the class. Then comes a roughly ten-minute talk about how coffee is grown, roasted, and brewed in Vietnam.

This opening matters because the four drinks are not random café inventions. The phin is tied to the slow, concentrated style of Vietnamese coffee. Egg coffee uses a creamy egg mixture. Coconut coffee adds a cold, sweet, refreshing element, while salt coffee brings a savory edge that softens the bitterness.

The instructor also explains different roast styles and the journey from bean to cup. You may see or hear about how coffee is processed and roasted before it becomes the dark, powerful drink commonly associated with Vietnam. The lesson is short enough to hold your attention, yet useful enough to make the practical work more meaningful.

Past sessions have included explanations about Vietnamese coffee beans and tea grown in Vietnam, along with demonstrations of the roasting process. If you have questions, this is a good time to ask them, since the group is often small.

Choosing two drinks from four very different styles

After the introduction, you select two coffees to make. This choice is the key decision of the class, so consider what you want to learn rather than choosing only the drink you already know.

Phin coffee is the natural pick if you want to understand the classic Vietnamese brewing method. The metal phin filter sits over the cup, and the coffee passes through slowly. It is a simple method, but the pace and measurements affect the final strength.

Egg coffee is the more unusual option. The coffee is paired with a sweet, creamy egg mixture, giving you a dessert-like drink with a strong coffee base. It is one of the best choices if you want to make something that feels distinct from an ordinary latte.

Coconut coffee is cold, sweet, and refreshing. Several people have particularly enjoyed this one, and it is a smart choice in Hoi An’s warm weather. It also gives you a different lesson in texture and balance from the hot or more intense phin style.

Salt coffee may sound odd until you taste it. The salt adds contrast and can make the coffee taste rounder and less harsh. Choose it if you want a recipe that is memorable and easy to recreate for friends at home.

You can make two of the same style or select two different drinks, depending on the session and your preference. If you are with a partner or family group, compare your choices. Some pairs have selected different drinks so they could sample all four between them.

The 25 to 30 minute hands-on lesson

The practical portion lasts about 25 to 30 minutes. The instructor lays out the ingredients and equipment, then takes you through each drink one step at a time. You do the work rather than watching a long demonstration from the side.

That beginner-friendly approach is one of the best features here. You do not need prior barista experience, and the process does not depend on complicated machines. The ingredients can be found in many places, which gives the class value beyond the hour you spend in Hoi An.

For phin coffee, you learn how to use the small metal filter and control the brewing process. For egg, coconut, and salt coffee, the focus shifts to mixing, texture, flavor balance, and presentation. The instructor stays nearby to correct a step or answer questions.

The teaching style seems to vary slightly by guide, but the most praised instructors are warm, clear, and happy to explain things. Thi has been singled out for clear English and friendly instruction, while Tee and Houng have also led enjoyable sessions. The class is designed to be relaxed, not technical.

One practical point: the activity may feel closer to 60 minutes in a smooth session, but some bookings have lasted around 75 to 90 minutes. The published schedule allows 60 to 75 minutes, and the final timing depends on the pace of the group and how much time you spend with questions and photos. One person found the class a little rushed because another group was waiting and the shop was busy. If you want a slower lesson, choose a quieter time and avoid planning a tight appointment immediately afterward.

Sitting down with your own egg, coconut, salt, or phin coffee

Once both drinks are ready, you sit in the café and drink what you made. This final 10 to 15 minutes is important. You can compare the two styles, take photos, ask follow-up questions, and decide which recipe you would order again.

The coffee itself is not an afterthought. The point is to taste how the brewing method and added ingredients change the drink. Coconut coffee tends to be the refreshing favorite, while egg coffee offers the biggest change in texture. Salt coffee is the choice for a more unusual flavor, and phin coffee gives you the clearest connection to everyday Vietnamese coffee culture.

Some sessions have included a printed recipe sheet and a completion certificate. These are useful extras, especially if you plan to make the drinks again. They are not listed as guaranteed inclusions for every booking, so treat them as possible additions rather than the main reason to reserve.

The room has music and a relaxed café setting, though it is not always private. If you want the quietest possible sit-down tasting, ask about a less busy time when you arrive or choose an off-peak session.

What $16 gets you

At $16 per person, this is good value for a one-hour activity in central Hoi An. The price includes an English-speaking barista, all the coffee-making tools and ingredients, the practical instruction, and two cups of coffee that you prepare yourself.

Compare that with simply buying two coffees. Here, you also get a short lesson in Vietnamese coffee culture and a skill you can carry home. The value is strongest if you enjoy food activities, want a break from sightseeing, or are curious about how local café drinks are made.

It is less useful if you only want a quick tasting. You will spend time listening, measuring, mixing, and waiting for the drinks. That is the point of the activity, but it may not suit someone who wants a fast stop between other plans.

There is no hotel transport, food, or extra drink included. You pay separately if you want to shop for beans or order anything beyond the two drinks you make. The open approach to bean shopping is a plus: one past session included no hard push to buy products.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend the workshop to coffee fans, curious first-time visitors to Vietnam, couples, families, and anyone who likes a short practical activity. Kids can take part with adult help, and a family group has made coconut and salt coffee together without needing previous experience.

It also works well for people who do not normally attend cooking classes. The recipes are manageable, the session is short, and the barista provides clear instructions. You do not need to know the difference between a light and dark roast before arriving.

The activity is especially useful for you if you want to recreate the drinks at home. The ingredients are not exotic, and the equipment is simple. The printed recipes offered in some sessions make that even easier.

I would think twice if you dislike sweet drinks or have no interest in coffee. Egg and coconut coffee can lean dessert-like, and the class centers entirely on coffee culture. You should also allow some flexibility in your schedule because the class can run longer than the advertised one-hour minimum.

How to choose the right two coffees

If this is your first Vietnamese coffee experience, choose phin and one specialty drink. Phin plus egg gives you a classic brewing lesson and the most distinctive sweet coffee.

Choose coconut and salt if you want to compare two unusual, highly flavored drinks. This pairing is also good for warm weather, since coconut coffee is served as a refreshing style and salt coffee gives you a sharp contrast.

Choose egg and coconut if you prefer creamy, sweet drinks. Choose phin and salt if you want the strongest contrast between traditional brewing and a modern café variation.

If you are traveling with someone else, split the options. Two people can make four different drinks between them, then taste a little of each. That is a better way to cover the menu than having both people choose the same pair.

Practical booking advice for Hoi An

The workshop offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time, and you can reserve now while paying later. That is helpful if your Hoi An plans depend on weather, transport, or changing day trips.

Check the available start times before booking. The duration is listed as one hour, but allow up to 75 minutes and possibly a little more if the group moves slowly or questions run long. Do not schedule this immediately before a train, airport transfer, or fixed dinner reservation.

Arrive five minutes early and look for the red-hatted guide outside Trí Long Coffee. If you cannot find the shop or guide, contact the activity provider through your booking. English is provided for the tour.

Should you book this coffee class?

Book it if you want more than a café drink. For $16, you get two coffees, a useful introduction to Vietnamese coffee, personal instruction, and recipes that you can make without special equipment. The friendly guides and small-group format make it easy to ask questions, and the choice of four drinks keeps the class personal.

Skip it if your schedule is packed or you prefer a quiet, private tasting. The shop can be busy, and a few sessions may feel rushed. For most people, though, this is an easy, affordable way to spend an hour in Hoi An and understand why Vietnamese coffee is such a big part of daily life.

FAQ

Where does the Vietnamese coffee workshop take place?

The activity takes place at Trí Long Coffee, 88 Phan Châu Trinh Street, Hoi An, in the city center.

How do I find the guide?

Look for the guide standing outside the coffee shop wearing a red hat. Arrive five minutes early, and contact the activity provider through your booking if you have trouble finding the meeting point.

Which coffees can I make?

You can choose two drinks from four options: phin coffee, egg coffee, coconut coffee, and salt coffee.

Do I need previous coffee-making experience?

No. The workshop is suitable for beginners, and the barista explains each step while you make the drinks.

What is included in the $16 price?

The price includes an English-speaking instructor, the workshop, all necessary tools and ingredients, and two coffees that you make yourself.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available, subject to the booking terms.