A Journey Through Traditional Vietnamese Drinks

Vietnam’s beverage culture is as diverse and vibrant as its landscape—from the misty mountains of the north to the tropical delta in the south. These drinks tell stories of healing, celebration, and daily life, passed down through generations and perfected over centuries.

At Mót Hội An, we’re part of this rich tradition, offering herbal lemongrass lemon drinks that honor Vietnamese wellness wisdom. Join us as we explore the fascinating world of traditional Vietnamese beverages.

The Philosophy Behind Vietnamese Drinks

Vietnamese drinking culture is deeply rooted in traditional medicine and the concept of balance:

☯️ Yin and Yang Balance

• “Nóng” (hot) - Warming drinks for cold weather or cold constitutions
• “Mát” (cool) - Cooling drinks to reduce internal heat
• “Bình” (neutral) - Balanced drinks for everyday wellness

This philosophy dates back to ancient Vietnamese medicine, influenced by Chinese Traditional Medicine but adapted to tropical climate and local ingredients.

Herbal & Medicinal Drinks

1. 🌿 Nước Sâm (Herbal Medicine Drink)

A broad category of drinks made from various medicinal herbs, roots, and plants.

Common ingredients:

• Licorice root (cam thảo)
• Chrysanthemum flowers (hoa cúc)
• Lotus seeds (hạt sen)
• Jujube dates (táo tàu)

Purpose:

• Detoxification
• Immune boosting
• Digestive health
• Energy restoration

Where to find: Traditional medicine shops and specialty herbal drink stalls throughout Vietnam.

2. 🍵 Trà Atiso (Artichoke Tea)

Made from artichokes grown in the cool climate of Đà Lạt, this dark, slightly bitter tea is beloved for its health benefits.

Health benefits:

• Liver detoxification
• Cholesterol reduction
• Digestive aid
• Antioxidant rich

Taste: Earthy, slightly sweet with a pleasant bitterness

Cultural note: Often given as gifts, especially the Đà Lạt variety

3. 🌺 Trà Hoa (Flower Teas)

Vietnamese flower teas are both medicinal and aromatic:

Popular varieties:

• Hoa cúc (Chrysanthemum) - Cooling, eye health
• Hoa hồng (Rose) - Calming, skin beauty
• Hoa đậu biếc (Butterfly pea) - Color-changing, antioxidants
• Hoa nhài (Jasmine) - Fragrant, stress relief

4. 🍋 Nước Sả Chanh (Lemongrass Lemon Drink)

Our specialty at Mót Hội An! This refreshing drink combines:

• Fresh lemongrass (sả)
• Lemon juice (chanh)
• Traditional herbs
• Natural sweetener

Benefits:

• Cooling effect in tropical heat
• Digestive support
• Stress relief
• Immune boosting

Perfect for: After exploring Hội An ancient town under the sun!

Refreshing Street Drinks

5. 🥤 Nước Mía (Sugarcane Juice)

One of Vietnam’s most iconic street drinks—fresh sugarcane pressed right before your eyes.

Variations:

• Plain sugarcane juice
• With kumquat (tắc) - adds citrus zing
• With kumquat and chili (tắc ớt) - sweet, sour, spicy kick

Served: Over ice, in a plastic bag with a straw (traditional) or in a cup

Price: Usually 10,000-15,000 VND ($0.40-0.60 USD)

Pro tip: Watch for the vendor to clean the press between customers—a sign of good hygiene!

6. 🥥 Nước Dừa (Coconut Water)

Fresh young coconut water, served straight from the coconut, is Vietnam’s original sports drink.

Benefits:

• Natural electrolytes
• Hydration
• Potassium rich
• Low calorie

Variations:

• Plain young coconut
• With coconut meat (dừa dứa)
• Blended into smoothies

Fun fact: Vendors will skillfully chop open the coconut with a machete and provide a spoon to scoop out the soft meat inside!

7. 🍋 Chanh Muối (Salted Lime Soda)

A uniquely Vietnamese drink combining:

• Preserved salted limes
• Fresh lime juice
• Soda water
• Sugar
• Ice

Taste: Sweet, salty, sour, and fizzy—a complex flavor explosion!

Best for: Hot days, hangover remedy, sore throat relief

Cultural significance: A taste that polarizes foreigners but beloved by locals

8. 🧋 Sinh Tố (Vietnamese Smoothies)

Thick, creamy smoothies made with:

• Fresh tropical fruits
• Condensed milk
• Ice
• Sometimes yogurt

Popular flavors:

• Avocado (bơ) - creamy and rich
• Soursop (mãng cầu) - tropical and unique
• Mango (xoài) - sweet and smooth
• Mixed fruit (hoa quả dầm) - fruit cocktail style

Difference from Western smoothies: Vietnamese sinh tố is sweeter and creamier thanks to condensed milk.

Tea Culture (Văn Hóa Trà)

9. ☕ Trà Đá (Iced Tea)

The ubiquitous free tea served at Vietnamese restaurants—light, refreshing green or jasmine tea over ice.

Cultural importance:

• Social bonding
• Hospitality
• Digestive aid after meals
• Often complementary

Variations by region:

• North: Lighter, more delicate
• Central: Medium strength
• South: Sometimes slightly sweetened

10. 🍵 Trà Sen (Lotus Tea)

One of Vietnam’s most elegant and expensive teas, made by stuffing green tea leaves into lotus flowers overnight to absorb the fragrance.

Production:

• Labor-intensive process
• Only during lotus season (June-August)
• Handcrafted in Tây Hồ (Hanoi)

Characteristics:

• Delicate lotus fragrance
• Sweet natural flavor
• Light yellow color
• Calming effect

Price: Can cost $100+ per kilogram for authentic lotus tea

Coffee Culture Deserves Special Mention

While coffee isn’t traditionally Vietnamese (introduced by French colonizers), it’s now integral to Vietnamese culture:

11. ☕ Cà Phê Sữa Đá (Iced Coffee with Condensed Milk)

Preparation:

• Strong robusta coffee
• Brewed through metal phin filter
• Mixed with sweetened condensed milk
• Served over ice

Why it’s special:

• Robusta beans give bold, strong flavor
• Slow drip process
• Perfect sweetness balance

12. 🥚 Cà Phê Trứng (Egg Coffee)

Hanoi’s famous invention—coffee topped with whipped egg yolk and condensed milk.

Taste: Like a liquid tiramisu Origin: Created in 1946 during milk shortage Best enjoyed: At Café Giảng (the original), Hanoi Old Quarter

Seasonal & Regional Specialties

13. 🌾 Nước Mắm Ruồi (Young Rice Flake Drink)

A Hanoi autumn specialty made from young sticky rice, only available September-October.

Characteristics:

• Milky white color
• Sweet, fragrant
• Slightly grainy texture
• Nostalgic for Hanoians

14. 🫘 Đậu Nành (Soy Milk)

Freshly made soy milk, served hot or cold, plain or sweetened.

Variations:

• Plain (không đường)
• Sweet (có đường)
• With pandan leaves (lá dứa)
• Black sesame soy milk (đậu đen)

Street vendor style: Often sold by mobile vendors calling out “Đậu nành nóng!” in the morning

15. 🟡 Nước Mãng Cầu (Soursop Juice)

Made from the tropical soursop fruit, popular in Southern Vietnam.

Health benefits:

• Vitamin C rich
• Aids digestion
• Cooling properties
• May support immune system

Taste: Creamy, sweet-tart, tropical—like a mix of strawberry and pineapple

The Art of Vietnamese Drink Preparation

What makes Vietnamese drinks special isn’t just ingredients—it’s the preparation:

🧊 Ice Culture

Vietnamese drinks almost always include ice:

• Ice is considered safe in urban areas
• Part of the cooling philosophy
• Makes drinks more refreshing in tropical heat

🥤 Presentation

Vietnamese drinks are beautifully presented:

• Clear glasses to show colors
• Fresh garnishes (mint, lemongrass)
• Often served in plastic bags for takeaway
• Artistic arrangement on serving trays

👩‍🍳 Fresh Ingredients

Key principle: everything is made fresh:

• Juice pressed to order
• Herbs picked daily
• No artificial flavors or colors (traditionally)
• Seasonal ingredients prioritized

Health & Wellness Philosophy

Vietnamese traditional drinks embody preventive healthcare:

🌡️ Climate-Appropriate Choices

• Hot season (April-September): Cooling drinks like coconut water, lemongrass drinks
• Rainy season (October-March): Warming teas, ginger drinks

🩺 Medicinal Properties

Many drinks serve dual purposes:

• Hydration + healing
• Taste + treatment
• Refreshment + remedy

Examples:

• Sore throat? → Chanh muối (salted lime)
• Upset stomach? → Trà gừng (ginger tea)
• Overheated? → Nước sả chanh (lemongrass lemon)

Where to Find These Drinks

🏪 Street Vendors (Quán Vỉa Hè)

The most authentic experience:

• Look for busy stalls (locals know best!)
• Sit on tiny plastic stools
• Expect to pay 10,000-30,000 VND

🏬 Specialized Shops

For specific drinks:

• Herbal medicine shops (thuốc nam)
• Coffee shops (quán cà phê)
• Juice bars (quán sinh tố)

🏨 Modern Cafés

Contemporary takes on traditional drinks:

• Instagram-worthy presentations
• Fusion variations
• Air-conditioned comfort
• Higher prices (50,000-100,000 VND)

Drinking Etiquette

🤝 Social Customs

• Toasting: Say “Một, hai, ba, vô!” (1, 2, 3, cheers!)
• Sharing: Drinks often shared among groups
• Respect: Younger people serve elders first
• Pace: Sip slowly, enjoy conversation

🙏 Ordering Tips

• Point if you don’t speak Vietnamese
• Use “ít đường” for less sugar
• Ask “có nóng không?” (is it hot/spicy?)
• Specify ice preference: “nhiều đá” (lots of ice) or “ít đá” (less ice)

The Future of Traditional Drinks

Vietnamese traditional drinks are experiencing a renaissance:

📈 Trends

• Young Vietnamese rediscovering heritage drinks
• Modern cafés offering traditional drinks with a twist
• Export of Vietnamese beverage culture
• Fusion drinks combining East and West

🌍 Global Recognition

Vietnamese coffee culture is now worldwide, and other drinks are following:

• Boba tea shops adding Vietnamese drinks
• Restaurants offering authentic beverages
• International interest in herbal remedies

Mót Hội An: Continuing the Tradition

At Mót Hội An, we’re proud to be part of Vietnam’s beverage heritage. Our lemongrass lemon herbal drink represents:

• Traditional wisdom - Time-tested herbal recipes
• Modern taste - Refreshing flavor for today’s palate
• Wellness focus - Health benefits in every sip
• Local ingredients - Supporting Hội An farmers

Visit Us

Location: Phố cổ Hội An, Quảng Nam Phone: +84 3569 00011 Email: [email protected]

Come taste tradition in every sip!

Try It Yourself: Simple Recipe

DIY Lemongrass Lemon Drink

Ingredients:

• 3-4 stalks fresh lemongrass
• 2 lemons
• 3-4 tablespoons honey or sugar
• 1 liter water
• Ice
• Fresh mint (optional)

Instructions:

1. Wash and chop lemongrass into 2-inch pieces
2. Bruise with a pestle to release oils
3. Boil lemongrass in water for 15 minutes
4. Remove from heat, add sweetener, stir to dissolve
5. Let cool, then strain
6. Add fresh lemon juice
7. Serve over ice with mint garnish

Storage: Keeps refrigerated for 3-4 days

Conclusion

Vietnamese traditional drinks are more than beverages—they’re liquid stories of culture, wellness, and community. From cooling herbal remedies to energizing coffee, each drink connects you to centuries of Vietnamese wisdom and hospitality.

Next time you visit Vietnam, step beyond the tourist traps and try these authentic drinks. Your taste buds will thank you, and your body will feel the benefits.

And when you’re in Hội An, stop by Mót for a refreshing taste of tradition!

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What’s your favorite Vietnamese drink? Share in the comments below!

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Last updated: January 4, 2026 Photos: A mix of Mót Hội An collection and Vietnamese street photography