Nestled in the highlands of Vietnam, Buôn Ma Thuột sits in the province of Dak Lak. A region with humid temperatures amongst hilly terrain, it is the perfect location for Vietnam’s coffee capital.
Vietnam is the 2nd largest producer of coffee in the world. But this wasn’t always the case. Before 1990, the country accounted for just around 1% of the global coffee trade. Now, the city has a coffee festival every year, where local vendors come together to share their fresh produce.
Of course, we had never heard of Buôn Ma Thuột before visiting, and for good reason. The country’s push to place the city on the map is all relatively new.
With Trung Nguyên Coffee Village opening in 2008, and the World Coffee Museum in 2018, the wheels are still in motion to encourage tourists like ourselves to deviate from the standard backpacker route and turn to its coffee capital for a caffeine and culture buzz.
We took the plunge, venturing to a coffee village, museum, and even a local farm.
Coffee farm
If you plan to visit Buôn Ma Thuột, the first thing on your list should be a coffee farm. We went to Aeroco Coffee Farm. For very little money, 250,000 Dong, you can get a full tour of the farm.
The tour lasts around 2 hours and includes a free coffee.
From farm to roast, you’ll be shown how the complex functions. At the end, you’ll be presented with numerous certificates before the sales pitch for coffee items within the farm shop.
I was a victim of our guide’s sales pitch, but after tasting my ground coffee back at our accommodation, I didn’t feel vindicated by my purchase.
Coffee Museum
Buôn Ma Thuột’s star attraction: the World Coffee Museum.
Entry was 150,000 Dong, which included a complimentary drip coffee and multiple instant coffee sachets.
We did it without a guide, but you can purchase an affordable audio guide at entry.
Museums have been hit and miss so far on our travels, thankfully, this was one of the better ones. With a brief history of Vietnam’s coffee rise, you then have sections on how the world gets on with caffeinated drinks.
Some parts don’t offer much insight: an area all about historic figures who appreciate coffee. Not sure Mozart’s work was down to chugging Americanos.
Overall, the place is worth a visit. I even purchased a coffee filter that I have been using most mornings in other countries.
Coffee Village
Trung Nguyên is a Vietnamese coffee brand, much like Starbucks or Costa Coffee. And like any chain, they dominate the high streets.
Trung Nguyên Coffee Village, though, is only in Buôn Ma Thuột.
Sadly, we weren’t a fan.
Apart from a nice artificial garden and another standard Trung Nguyên coffee shop, there isn’t anything special about the so-called ‘village’.
However, occasionally they have events, so that might be worth the trip.
Where to stay in Buôn Ma Thuột?
Since it isn’t a touristy place, most hostels are not social.
Taking a wild swing, we booked a new farmstay that had only been open for a few years.
That place was Dak Lak Farm Stay.
A new glamping farm stay that also hosts modern bungalows for those wanting extra comfort. We went for the tent, which only cost 650,000 Dong a night.
The highlight of this stay was the free use of the on-site pickleball court. The farm itself is a bit of a distance from the city, but with the amenities they offer at a modest price, it’s worth it.
How long to stay in Buôn Ma Thuột?
We stayed for three nights, and that was more than enough. Maybe two days is the sweet spot, but if you are staying at a farmstay, it’s nice to have a day to soak up the surroundings.
