At the Café
Cafes are social hubs in Saigon. Ordering confidently in Vietnamese will earn you smiles and sometimes free upgrades to your drink.
Cultural Context:
Vietnamese coffee culture is sacred. Taking time to sit and sip is expected—rushing is seen as odd. Sidewalk cafes with tiny plastic stools are often better than fancy ones.
Một cà phê sữa đá
Mote cah-feh soo-a da
Literal: "One coffee milk ice"
"One iced milk coffee"
When to use:
Your essential coffee order—this is the default
Cultural Tip:
This is Southern Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk. It's sweet, strong, and addictive.
Cà phê đen
Cah-feh den
Literal: "Coffee black"
"Black coffee"
When to use:
If you want coffee without milk
Cultural Tip:
Add 'đá' (da) for iced, 'nóng' (nong) for hot
Cho tôi thêm đá
Cho toy tem da
Literal: "Give me more ice"
"More ice please"
When to use:
When your drink needs more ice in the heat
Cultural Tip:
Ice is free and plentiful—asking for more is normal
Ngon quá!
Ngon kwa!
Literal: "Delicious very!"
"So delicious!"
When to use:
Complimenting the coffee—vendors love this
Cultural Tip:
This phrase makes people smile instantly
Cà phê trứng
Cah-feh chung
Literal: "Coffee egg"
"Egg coffee"
When to use:
Ordering the famous Hanoi-style egg coffee (also popular in Saigon)
Cultural Tip:
Creamy, sweet, and rich—like a coffee dessert
Cà phê dừa
Cah-feh yuh-a
Literal: "Coffee coconut"
"Coconut coffee"
When to use:
A Southern specialty—coffee with coconut milk
Cultural Tip:
Refreshing and tropical, perfect for hot days
Có wifi không?
Go wifi khom?
Literal: "Have wifi not?"
"Do you have wifi?"
When to use:
Asking about wifi at cafes
Cultural Tip:
Most cafes have wifi—password is often on the wall or menu
Mật khẩu wifi là gì?
Mat cow wifi la zee?
Literal: "Password wifi is what?"
"What's the wifi password?"
When to use:
After confirming they have wifi
Cultural Tip:
Sometimes it's just the phone number of the cafe
Cho tôi ngồi đây được không?
Cho toy ngoy day doo-oc khom?
Literal: "Give me sit here can or not?"
"Can I sit here?"
When to use:
Asking if a table/seat is available
Cultural Tip:
Cafes can get crowded—asking shows politeness
Practice Tips
Start Simple
Master 2-3 phrases before moving on. Use them in real situations. Confidence comes from repetition, not memorization.
Embrace Mistakes
Vietnamese people are incredibly patient and supportive. Your accent will be off—that's okay. Effort matters more than perfection.
Use It Daily
Order coffee in Vietnamese every morning. Say thank you in Vietnamese every time. Language lives in practice, not textbooks.
Ask for Help
"How do you say...?" is a powerful phrase. Locals love teaching their language and will become your best teachers over coffee.