Vietnamese coffee can seem simple, until you see the system up close. This Ho Chi Minh City workshop teaches you three different brews, using the phin and a very practical, step-by-step setup. I especially like that you are not just watching, you are making the drinks you’ll later sip.

Two highlights for me: you get to try both classic-style coffee drinks plus one playful modern experiment, and the class includes coffee, tea, and snacks so you are not hunting for food afterward. One thing to plan for: it is not recommended for vegan travelers and it also is not a fit for people with lactose intolerance.

Key takeaways before you go

• Upstairs in District 1 at Lacàph Coffee Experiences Space, near public transportation, with a modern workshop vibe.
• 90 minutes, small group (max 18), with guided instruction where you do the brewing steps.
• Three drinks: Bạc Xỉu, Cà Phê Muối, and Phin Con Panna (yogurt plus Lacàph Raw Coffee Blossom Honey).
• Included refreshments: coffee, tea, and snacks throughout the experience.
• You can take the recipes home, and some people even buy a phin so they can repeat the brews later.

Getting to Lacàph Coffee Experiences Space and What to Expect on Arrival

Meet at Lacàph Coffee Experiences SpaceUpstairs, 220 Nguyễn Công Trứ, Phường Nguyễn Thái Bình, Quận 1. The “upstairs” detail matters. One review noted the location can be easy to miss, so take a minute to confirm you’re in the right building and then look for the workshop area above.

This is in central Saigon, so you can usually get there without a complex plan. The tour notes it is near public transportation, which is a big win if you are bouncing around District 1 anyway.

You’ll also want to know the class is set for small groups, with a maximum of 18 people. In real terms, that usually means more time with the instructor and fewer long waits while you figure out what goes next. The workshop runs about 1 hour 30 minutes, and it uses a mobile ticket, so you do not need to print anything.

How the 90 Minutes Works: You Brew, You Taste, You Learn

The format is simple: you arrive, you get taught the method, you brew, and you taste what you made. That “do it yourself” approach shows up again and again in the feedback, with multiple people saying they got to do everything hands-on, not just pour once for the photo and then sit back.

You’ll also get more than recipes. The workshop frames each coffee as a Vietnam story, including the bean origins and the quality side of the equation. Several classes are led by instructors with different styles, but the common thread is clear instruction and a laid-back atmosphere where you can ask questions while you work.

A useful detail: you have a choice of morning or afternoon tours. That helps if you want to match your energy level. If you like afternoons that are a bit calmer, this can also work well on a rainy day, since you are indoors and focused.

The Three Vietnamese Coffees You’ll Make (and Why Each One Is Worth Your Time)

This is the core value of the workshop. You make three drinks, and each one teaches a different angle of Vietnamese coffee.

Bạc Xỉu, the Classic White Coffee Style

You’ll start with the classic Bạc Xỉu, the white-coffee style listed in the workshop description. Think of this as the gateway brew in the class. It’s the one that helps you understand how the Vietnamese coffee experience is built, then it becomes the baseline you can compare against the later drinks.

What you’ll appreciate here is the technique. Even if you already love Vietnamese coffee, you can still learn how to control the process instead of relying on guesswork.

Cà Phê Muối, Salt Coffee That Makes You Rethink Sweet and Savory

Next is Cà Phê Muối, the salt coffee. This is the “wait, really?” drink for many first-timers. The class treats it as a real, intentional recipe, not a gimmick.

If you are curious about Vietnamese flavors beyond the standard café sữa routine, salt coffee is one of the most fun things you can try. It also helps you pay attention to balance, because small adjustments in brewing and ingredients are what make the flavor land.

Phin Con Panna, a Modern Twist with Yogurt and Coffee Blossom Honey

Then comes the experimental one: Phin Con Panna. This is described as a fusion of yogurt and Lacàph Raw Coffee Blossom Honey, served in the spirit of where Vietnamese coffee is going next.

If you like trying the newest version of something you already know, you’ll likely enjoy this part the most. The point is not just to taste something new. It’s to see how Vietnamese coffee methods can work with modern flavor ideas.

The Brewing Skills You Can Actually Reuse at Home

The workshop isn’t only about drinking three cups. It’s about learning the mechanics of Vietnamese brewing, especially with the phin. Multiple people said they bought the coffee and the phin afterward, and that tells you the class is set up for repeatable results, not just a one-off tasting.

Here’s what I think you should look for while you learn:

• Watch for the instructor’s step order, because Vietnamese brewing is very process-driven.
• Pay attention to how they explain ingredient additions and timing, since that affects taste more than you might expect.
• Take notes on what feels easy versus confusing for you. That becomes your cheat sheet when you try again later.

You’ll also get your own recipes at the end, and one review specifically mentioned a completion certificate. That matters because it turns the experience into something you can recreate, not just a memory.

Price and Value: What $23.35 Buys in Saigon

At $23.35 per person for about 1 hour 30 minutes, this workshop can be a strong value if you compare it to paying for multiple coffees and a private food-and-drink activity. You’re not just ordering drinks. You are getting instruction, tasting, snacks, and recipes.

Two things make the price feel fair:

• Everything is included (coffee, tea, and snacks), so you avoid the “cheap class, expensive add-ons” trap.
• The group size is capped at 18, and the format is hands-on, which tends to justify a workshop price better than a passive demo.

The feedback score also supports the value angle: a 5-star average across 293 reviews, with 100% recommending it. That’s not a guarantee you’ll love it, but it does suggest the experience hits its target for coffee lovers.

Who This Workshop Suits Best (and Who Should Skip It)

This is a great fit if you:

• Love Vietnamese coffee and want to learn why it tastes the way it does.
• Enjoy hands-on classes where you control the outcome.
• Want a rainy-day option in District 1 that’s not just another indoor museum stop.

It is also especially handy for solo travelers. Several reviews singled out the class as a good solo activity, and the small group format supports that. You’ll still meet people, and you will always have something to do at your table.

However, skip it or choose carefully if:

• You are vegan, since it is explicitly not recommended for vegan travelers.
• You have lactose intolerance, since it is also explicitly not recommended for that.

What to Know Before You Book (Small Planning Tips That Help)

A few practical details can save you stress:

• Confirm you can get to Quận 1 without a long detour. The meeting point is specific, and one comment noted it can be easy to miss if you are not paying attention.
• Bring a curious mindset. This class is partly technical, and instructors in the reviews ranged from making coffee instruction feel clear to making it feel fun and playful.
• Expect to taste what you make. The workshop is designed so the drinks are part of the experience, not an afterthought.

Should You Book This Vietnamese Coffee Workshop in Ho Chi Minh City?

Yes, if Vietnamese coffee is on your “must do” list and you want more than ordering a drink. The combination of three brews, hands-on brewing with the phin, and included coffee, tea, and snacks makes this a strong use of a day in Saigon.

Book it especially if you like learning process. If you only want a quick coffee tasting and you are not interested in how the drinks are built, you might find it a bit more involved than necessary. But if you want a practical souvenir in the form of recipes, technique, and repeatable brewing, this workshop is a solid choice.

FAQ

How much does the Vietnamese coffee workshop cost?

The price is $23.35 per person.

How long is the workshop?

It runs about 1 hour 30 minutes.

Where is the meeting point in Ho Chi Minh City?

You meet at Lacàph Coffee Experiences SpaceUpstairs, 220 Nguyễn Công Trứ, Phường Nguyễn Thái Bình, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam.

What drinks will I make during the class?

You will learn to make three Vietnamese coffee drinks: Bạc Xỉu, Cà Phê Muối, and Phin Con Panna.

Are coffee, tea, and snacks included?

Yes. All coffee, tea, and snacks are included with the tour.

Is the workshop limited to small groups?

Yes. The workshop/activity has a maximum of 18 travelers.

Is it suitable for vegan travelers or people with lactose intolerance?

No. It is not recommended for vegan travelers, and it is also not recommended for travelers with lactose intolerance.