How to Brew Authentic Vietnamese Coffee

April 13, 2026

How to Brew Authentic Vietnamese Phin Coffee (Beginners Guide)

Your step‑by‑step phin brewing tutorial from Viet‑Coffee

Vietnamese phin coffee is one of the simplest yet richest
ways to brew coffee.
No machines, no pressure, no noise.
Just a small metal filter, hot water, and a few minutes of slow, aromatic drip.

If you’ve ever wondered how to brew Vietnamese phin coffee at home, this beginner‑friendly guide walks you through every step. Whether you love bold Robusta, smooth Arabica, or a Saigon‑style condensed milk coffee, this method delivers the unmistakable flavour of Vietnam in every cup.

🌱 What You Need

A Vietnamese phin filter (small, medium, or large)

Vietnamese coffee grounds
(Robusta or a Robusta–Arabica blend)

Hot water (around 92–96°C)

A glass or cup

Optional: condensed milk, sugar, or ice

🔥 Step 1 — Preheat Your Phin

Rinse the phin with hot water.

This warms the metal and helps the coffee extract evenly — a small detail that makes a big difference.

☕ Step 2 — Add the Coffee

For a standard 120 ml phin:

Add 2 tablespoons (18–20 g) of Vietnamese coffee

Shake gently to level the grounds

Vietnamese coffee is traditionally medium‑coarse,
slightly finer than French press but coarser than espresso.

🧱 Step 3 — Place the Gravity Press

Set the phin’s internal press on top of the coffee.

Don’t tamp — just let it sit naturally.

This keeps the extraction slow and balanced.

💧 Step 4 — Bloom the Coffee

Pour 15–20 ml of hot water over the grounds.

Wait 20–30 seconds.

This “bloom” releases CO₂ and unlocks the deep chocolatey
aroma Vietnamese coffee is famous for.

🌧 Step 5 — Fill the Phin and Let It Drip

Fill the phin with hot water near to the top.
The correct balance of coffee to water is 1/2 fill the phin with coffee
'Bloom" with 15 to 20 Ml then fill leaving a bit of space at top of Phin

Place the lid on and let it drip slowly.

A perfect phin drip should take 4–5 minutes.

If it drips too fast, your grind is too coarse.

If it barely drips, it’s too fine.
Try rubbing the flat side of a teaspoon on the bottom of the phin if its barely dripping