Best espresso in Ho Chi Minh City
The best espresso in Ho Chi Minh City comes from bars that recalibrate every morning and can tell you exactly what is in the hopper. This guide covers how to recognise a serious espresso program and what to order to test it. Ho Chi Minh City is one of 144 cities with an “Espresso” guide on Roasters.
What separates the best espresso bars in Ho Chi Minh City from the rest is the daily ritual: fresh-grind retention checked, dose weighed to the tenth of a gram, water temperature stable. The signature kit you'll see on the bar is usually a La Marzocco Linea PB or GS3, a Slayer, or a Synesso, paired with a Mahlkönig Mythos or EK43 grinder.
How this guide compares
Among the 144 “Espresso” guides, Ho Chi Minh City ranks #85, so expect a tighter, easier-to-cover selection.
Zooming out, 48 cafés put Ho Chi Minh City at #14 in Asia and #85 worldwide on Roasters.
17 cities in Asia have enough specialty cafés (30 or more) for an “Espresso” guide, Ho Chi Minh City among them.
One other city in Vietnam has the same guide.
Ho Chi Minh City is covered by 8 themed guides in total; the others are WiFi & laptops, Brunch, Open late, Quiet cafés, Filter coffee, Cold brew and Matcha.
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in Ho Chi Minh City.
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About espresso in Ho Chi Minh City
Is Ho Chi Minh City the only place in Vietnam with this guide?
No. Hanoi has one too.
How does this guide compare with other cities?
It is #85 of 144 by café count, just behind Wroclaw and ahead of Vilnius.
What's the difference between specialty espresso and chain espresso?
Specialty espresso uses single-origin or carefully blended beans graded 80+ on the SCA scale, roasted lighter to preserve origin character, and is pulled with daily dialling and precise weights. Chain espresso uses commodity-grade beans, darker roasts, and automated machines that compensate for inconsistent dose.
What makes a great espresso?
A great espresso is balanced and bright: clean acidity, a sweet body, and a clear finish. It's pulled with a precise dose (typically 18–20g in, 36–40g out, in 26–32 seconds), from fresh, well-stored beans, with a calibrated grinder. The best bars in Ho Chi Minh City hit those numbers daily.
How much specialty coffee is there in Ho Chi Minh City?
The community has mapped 48 cafés and roasters there, 36% of all listings in Vietnam.
