Hoi An: Vietnamese Coffee Making Course

REVIEW · HOI AN ANCIENT TOWN TOURS

Hoi An: Vietnamese Coffee Making Course

★ 4.9 · 25 reviews 1h 30m From $22 Operated by Hoi An Scooter Adventures · Bookable on GetYourGuide
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Vietnamese coffee has a few surprises. I really liked the hands-on setup, plus learning the Phin filter method that makes the brew taste bold and focused. The one thing to consider is that you are choosing among the specialty drinks, so if you want all four styles, this class may not cover everything in one go.

This runs in downtown Hoi An, and you meet at Tri Long coffee where your English-speaking instructor starts you off with roasted coffee basics before you start making your own cup. The class is 90 minutes, and you can pick how many sessions you want to do, which is great if you have a tight schedule or if you only care about one specific drink like egg coffee.

Key things you will do in this Hoi An coffee making course

Hoi An: Vietnamese Coffee Making Course - Key things you will do in this Hoi An coffee making course

  • Practice coffee-making with a Phin filter, the slow-drip tool behind much of Vietnam’s favorite black coffee style
  • Learn how roast levels change flavor, from what happens to the beans to how that lands in your cup
  • Make one specialty coffee from egg coffee, coconut coffee, or salt coffee based on your choice
  • Taste what professional roasting does, so you understand why some cups taste smoother or more intense
  • Leave with recipes you can use later, so you can recreate what you liked back home

First stop: Tri Long coffee in downtown Hoi An

Hoi An: Vietnamese Coffee Making Course - First stop: Tri Long coffee in downtown Hoi An
I like classes that start right where the real thing happens, and this one does. You meet at Tri Long coffee in Hoi An city, and the instructor greets you there and gets you moving quickly. That matters because Vietnamese coffee preparation is not just theory, you actually need time to do it, taste it, and adjust as you go.

The class is 90 minutes, so it has enough time for a real workflow, not a rushed demonstration. You also get an English-speaking instructor, which is a big deal if you are trying to understand the “why” behind Vietnamese coffee styles, not just copy the steps.

Practical note: hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. In Hoi An, that usually means you will want to plan your own short ride or walk to the meeting point.

Roasted coffee basics, where flavor starts

Hoi An: Vietnamese Coffee Making Course - Roasted coffee basics, where flavor starts
The class begins with a roasted coffee demo. This is not a generic history lesson. You learn how coffee beans go from raw to aromatic roasted beans, and how different roast levels affect taste in your final cup.

I enjoy this part because it gives you a simple mental model for what you are drinking later. You start noticing that sweetness, bitterness, body, and aroma are not random. They shift with roasting, and Vietnam’s coffee culture leans into that.

You also get to experience the distinctive flavor of professionally roasted beans, which is one of the best “value moments” in a coffee class. Even if you are not a hardcore coffee person, the difference between decent and well-roasted coffee is obvious when you taste it side by side.

The Phin filter class, slow drip coffee you can taste

Hoi An: Vietnamese Coffee Making Course - The Phin filter class, slow drip coffee you can taste
Next comes the Vietnamese Phin filter coffee making portion. This is the signature method behind a lot of Vietnam’s bold, robust cups. The big idea is time. Coffee drips slowly through the filter, and that pace helps create a concentrated brew.

What I like about doing it in a class is that you understand the rhythm. You watch the brew form, you learn how the filter process works, and you can connect what you see to what you taste. The instructor explains the balance between bitterness and sweetness that makes this style so popular.

If you are coming from drip coffee at home, the Phin method feels different right away. The taste often lands more intense, and it can feel heavier in the mouth. After you make it once yourself, you will stop thinking of Vietnamese coffee as just strong. You start thinking of it as a technique.

Egg coffee, coconut coffee, or salt coffee, your choice matters

This is where the class becomes personal. You can choose the type of coffee you want to make, including egg coffee, Vietnamese Phin filter coffee, coconut coffee, or salt coffee. The specialty choice is a huge part of why this experience works well for couples and solo travelers alike.

Here is what each option means for your taste buds, in plain terms:

More of Hoi An, still worth your time

Egg coffee

Egg coffee is known for its creamy texture and rich flavor. You watch as it gets mixed using coffee plus egg yolks and condensed milk, creating a smooth, satisfying drink that feels more like a dessert coffee than a plain black cup. If you like sweet, creamy drinks, this one is usually the quickest path to wow.

Coconut coffee

Coconut coffee adds tropical aroma and a nutty sweetness. You learn how to infuse coconut flavor into coffee so the drink tastes like it belongs on a warm afternoon. This is a great pick if you want something fragrant rather than purely bitter or purely creamy.

Salt coffee

Salt coffee is the surprise option, and it makes sense when you understand the goal. A pinch of salt can enhance coffee’s natural flavors while reducing bitterness. The effect is a more balanced cup that does not feel so harsh. If you usually avoid very bitter coffee, this might be the easiest way to enjoy Vietnamese-style strength.

One practical consideration: you choose which specialty you will make. If you are the kind of person who wants to taste everything, you might want to schedule multiple sessions on different days, or you might choose the single style you care about most.

How the class actually feels, hands-on and not just watching

Hoi An: Vietnamese Coffee Making Course - How the class actually feels, hands-on and not just watching
I do not love “sit and watch” classes, and this one is set up differently. You learn, but you also get to make your own cup. You get ingredients and tools, plus water, and you leave with something you created, not just a sample cup handed to you.

That hands-on time is why this works well for beginners. You do not need to know coffee vocabulary. You just follow the steps, taste as you go, and pick up the logic from the instructor.

A couple of details that made the experience feel practical: people found the explanations clear, the pace gave enough time to prepare and enjoy the coffee, and the class format was friendly enough for solo travelers. I also like that recipes are provided at the end, so you can repeat what you learned instead of forgetting it the next morning.

Choosing 2, 3, or 4 sessions, smart pacing for real life

The class lets you select different sessions, so you are not stuck with a one-size-fits-all menu. You may see options to fully experience different flavors and roasting techniques by choosing 2, 3, or 4 sessions. The core parts include the roasted coffee demonstration and the Phin filter style, then you choose a specialty coffee like egg, coconut, or salt.

This matters because of how people travel. If you only have one afternoon in Hoi An, you can tailor the course to what you want most. If you like experimenting, you can book more sessions and get a broader taste of the menu.

Just know the tradeoff: the more sessions you pick, the more you will be doing inside the 90 minutes. It is still manageable, but it is more active.

Price and value: about $22 for a 90 minute, hands-on coffee lesson

Hoi An: Vietnamese Coffee Making Course - Price and value: about $22 for a 90 minute, hands-on coffee lesson
At around $22 per person for a 90 minute class, this sits in the reasonable category for Vietnam. What makes it feel fair is not the cost alone, it is the mix of roasting education, Phin filter technique, and actually making a specialty drink.

You get several elements included:

  • your own cup of coffee you make
  • the coffee-making course
  • water
  • an English-speaking instructor
  • ingredients and tools

When you see all of that together, the class is not just entertainment. It is a skill-building experience plus tasting. If you enjoy food and drink activities that teach you something you can use again, this price is easier to justify.

Also, people mentioned the chance to buy beans. That is not listed as an included item, but if that option is available during your class, it can add value because you can take home coffee that matches what you learned.

Who this is best for (and who should consider alternatives)

This course is a great fit if you:

  • want a hands-on activity in Hoi An that is not another walking tour
  • like coffee flavors and want the technique behind Vietnamese styles
  • are traveling solo and want a small, friendly setting
  • want simple recipes to recreate at home

It might not be the perfect fit if you:

  • want to taste every single specialty coffee in one go, because you choose what you make
  • hate anything sweet-creamy (egg coffee and coconut coffee often lean that way)
  • are looking for a long, multi-hour workshop with advanced equipment and deeper brewing science (this is 90 minutes, so it stays practical)

Small group energy and English instruction

Hoi An: Vietnamese Coffee Making Course - Small group energy and English instruction
Private group options are available, which I think is smart if you want a quieter pace or you are traveling with friends who share the same coffee preferences. Even when you are not in a private group, the format is set up for interaction. You get an English-speaking instructor, which helps you follow each step without guessing.

In a coffee class, that language support matters. Small adjustments in how you prepare or pour can change taste, and understanding what the instructor is aiming for helps you get better results.

Timing and meeting plan, so you do not feel rushed

Because hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, the easiest approach is to plan to arrive a few minutes early. Meet at Tri Long coffee in Hoi An city, then expect the instructor to take it from there.

Ninety minutes is long enough for real practice, but it is still a compact block. If you are pairing this with other Hoi An activities, try to schedule it when you are not already mentally sprinting from one place to another.

Should you book this Hoi An Vietnamese coffee making course?

Yes, if you want a practical, flavor-focused experience that teaches real technique. This class is worth it because you learn the roast basics, you make coffee with the Phin filter method, and you choose a specialty drink like egg coffee, coconut coffee, or salt coffee. That combination is rare at this time length.

Book it if you care about value in the form of usable skills. The recipe handouts and the fact that you take part in preparation rather than just watching make it more than a quick activity.

Skip it only if your heart is set on tasting every specialty coffee in one session, or if you do not want to spend your time doing rather than sampling. In that case, you might prefer a broader tasting approach, where you do not have to choose ahead.

If you love coffee, this is one of the better ways to spend 90 minutes in Hoi An. You will leave with a cup you made, plus a clearer idea of why Vietnamese coffee tastes the way it does.

FAQ

How long is the Hoi An Vietnamese Coffee Making Course?

The course lasts 90 minutes.

Where do I meet for the class?

You meet at Tri Long coffee in Hoi An city.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What coffee types can I choose to make?

You can choose the type of coffee you want to make, such as egg coffee, Vietnamese Phin filter coffee, coconut coffee, or salt coffee.

Do I need to speak Vietnamese?

No. The instructor is English-speaking.

What is included in the price?

Included are the coffee making course, ingredients and tools, water, and a cup of coffee made by yourself.

Is there a Phin filter involved?

Yes. The class includes Vietnamese Phin filter coffee making.

Can I do multiple sessions to experience more than one coffee style?

Yes. You can choose different sessions, with options mentioned to experience 2, 3, or 4 sessions.

Is there an option for a private group?

Yes, private group options are available.

What are the cancellation and payment options?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. There is also a reserve now and pay later option.