How Vietnam Became the World’s Second Largest Coffee Producer

Vietnam now grows more coffee than any country except Brazil—but how did a nation once ravaged by war become a global coffee powerhouse? The answer lies not in chance, but in decades of strategic planning, agricultural adaptation, and the quiet leadership of figures like Doan Trieu Nhan, whose work helped transform Vietnam’s coffee output from near zero to over 20 million 60kg bags annually.

By the early 2000s, Vietnam was producing over 7 million 60kg bags of coffee—making it the second-largest global producer behind Brazil. This dramatic rise was driven by post-war agricultural reforms, fertile volcanic soils, and key figures like Doan Trieu Nhan, who laid the foundation for the country’s coffee expansion starting in the 1960s.

The Man Behind Vietnam’s Coffee Growth Plan

Doan Trieu Nhan, now 79, has been a central figure in Vietnam’s coffee success story since the 1960s. Growing up in northern Vietnam, he dedicated over 50 years to the coffee industry. Having survived wartime and lived through Vietnam’s shift from a planned to a free-market economy, Nhan played a pivotal role in transforming the country into a leading coffee exporter. From 1986 to 2006, he served as chairman of the Vietnam Coffee and Cocoa Association (Vicofa), where he helped shape national coffee policy and foster international relationships. Even after stepping down, he remained active in the industry and often hosted global visitors at Vicofa’s Hanoi office.

Early Years and Education

Nhan’s interest in agriculture began during his studies. In 1964, a year before the Battle of Khe Sanh, he earned a scholarship to study soil science in southern China, earning his master’s degree in the field. He returned to Vietnam in 1967 and began working at the Phu Quy Tropical Crop Research Station in Nghe An province, part of the country’s agricultural research infrastructure. At the time, Vietnam was rebuilding after years of war, with a population of around 70 million and an urgent need for both education and employment. The government prioritized products that could drive economic growth and create jobs—and Nhan identified coffee as a prime candidate.

Identifying Coffee as a Strategic Crop

Having studied tropical crops in China, Nhan knew Vietnam had the right conditions for coffee: fertile red basalt soil and potential for export partnerships. “We needed a product we could produce locally and export,” he recalled. “Coffee had the advantage of existing trade networks and suitable growing conditions.” Beyond economics, coffee also offered a path to social development. Nhan saw it as a way to provide opportunities for Vietnam’s 70+ ethnic minority groups and to engage young people in rebuilding the country through education and agriculture.

Post-War Expansion in the Central Highlands

As the war shifted south, Nhan turned his attention to Vietnam’s central highlands. He began surveying French-era coffee farms in Nghe An and became convinced of coffee’s long-term economic potential. After the war ended in 1975, he focused on the Central Highlands, laying the groundwork for large-scale coffee cultivation. By the mid-1980s, the Vietnamese government began promoting Arabica coffee in impoverished northern regions, particularly among ethnic minorities. In 1989, Arabica planting started in Son La province—a region where some farmers now manage up to 1,000 hectares of coffee land, using profits to build homes and buy motorcycles.

The Rise of Vietnam as a Coffee Giant

Nhan’s original goal was to help Vietnam produce 6–7 million 60kg bags of coffee to compete with Indonesia, then Asia’s largest and the world’s third-largest producer. Unlike Indonesia, Vietnam wasn’t bound by International Coffee Agreement quotas, allowing it to trade more flexibly and often at better prices. By 1996–1997, Vietnam reached its initial target of 5.7 million bags, then surpassed it with 6.9 million in 1998 and 7 million in 1999. In May 1997, coffee prices peaked at $3.19 per pound, encouraging rapid expansion across the country. By 2012, over a million people worked directly in coffee, with three million more supported by related industries.

Criticism and Controversy

Vietnam’s rapid growth drew criticism, especially when global coffee prices crashed in the early 2000s. Some blamed Vietnam for oversupply, claiming it caused the market collapse. Nhan dismissed these claims, arguing that the boom was driven by individual farmers, not government policy. “These criticisms were neither fair nor accurate,” he said. “The growth came from the hard work of coffee farmers, not a national plan.” He also defended farmers against accusations of withholding production data, noting that Vicofa couldn’t control what farmers chose to plant on their own land. “The farmers did an amazing job,” he added. “We can’t deny their success.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Doan Trieu Nhan and what was his role in Vietnam’s coffee industry?

Doan Trieu Nhan is a soil scientist and agricultural planner who played a central role in developing Vietnam’s coffee industry starting in the 1960s. He served as chairman of the Vietnam Coffee and Cocoa Association (Vicofa) from 1986 to 2006, helping to shape the country’s coffee policies and promote its growth on the global stage. Even after retiring, he remained influential in the sector.

When did Vietnam start growing coffee on a large scale?

Vietnam began large-scale coffee cultivation after the Vietnam War ended in 1975, with significant expansion in the 1980s and 1990s. The government promoted coffee in both the Central Highlands and northern regions, focusing on both Arabica and Robusta varieties.

Why did Vietnam choose coffee as a key agricultural product?

Coffee was selected because of Vietnam’s fertile red basalt soils, suitable climate, and existing international trade connections. It was seen as a crop that could create jobs, support economic development, and provide export income to rebuild the country after the war.

What was Vietnam’s coffee production target in the 1990s?

Doan Trieu Nhan aimed for Vietnam to produce 6–7 million 60kg bags of coffee to compete with Indonesia. By 1996–1997, Vietnam reached 5.7 million bags, then grew to 6.9 million in 1998 and 7 million in 1999.

How did Vietnam’s coffee industry impact rural communities?

Coffee farming improved livelihoods in rural and ethnic minority areas, particularly in the Central Highlands and northern provinces. By 2012, over a million people worked in coffee, with three million more supported by related industries, enabling many farmers to invest in homes, vehicles, and local infrastructure.

Why did Vietnam face criticism during the 2000s coffee price crisis?

Vietnam was criticized by other coffee-producing countries for contributing to global oversupply, which led to a sharp drop in coffee prices. However, Nhan argued that the growth was driven by independent farmers, not government policy, and that the criticism was unfair.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee Beans from Vietnam

Explore Vietnam’s coffee legacy with FrontStreet Coffee’s Vietnam Medium Roast, a balanced single origin with notes of dark chocolate, roasted nuts, and a hint of earthiness typical of the country’s signature Robusta-heavy blends. For a brighter take, try their Vietnam Filter Blend, which highlights citrus and caramel tones from washed processing. Both beans reflect the country’s unique role in global coffee production. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.