How Much Caffeine Is in Vietnamese Coffee? (Compared to Espresso & Drip)

The Short Answer

A standard Vietnamese phin brew (60–80ml) made with Robusta beans contains approximately 80–130mg of caffeine — comparable to a double espresso. When mixed with condensed milk and served as cà phê sữa đá, the caffeine content stays the same (milk doesn't affect caffeine). This makes Vietnamese coffee one of the more caffeinated drinks you can order at a cafe.

Why Is Vietnamese Coffee So Caffeinated?

Two reasons: the beans and the concentration. Vietnamese coffee uses Robusta, which has nearly twice the caffeine of Arabica. And phin brewing produces a concentrated brew — a small volume (60–80ml) with a high coffee-to-water ratio. The combination means more caffeine per milliliter than most Western coffee drinks.

Caffeine Comparison Table

Drink	Volume	Caffeine (approx.)
Vietnamese phin (Robusta)	60–80ml	80–130mg
Espresso (single shot)	30ml	60–75mg
Espresso (double shot)	60ml	120–150mg
Drip coffee (Arabica)	240ml	95–165mg
Cold brew concentrate	60ml	100–200mg
Cà phê sữa đá	300ml total	80–130mg
Americano	240ml	60–75mg

Cà Phê Sữa Đá vs Latte

A standard latte (12oz) made with a double espresso has about 120–150mg of caffeine. A cà phê sữa đá made with a single phin brew has 80–130mg. They're in the same range — but the Vietnamese drink delivers it in a much smaller coffee volume, meaning the concentration is higher even if the total amount is similar.

Sensitivity Considerations

If you're sensitive to caffeine, Vietnamese phin coffee with Robusta is not a low-caffeine option. Consider asking for a half-strength brew (less coffee, same water) or trying our Dalat Dream blend, which has a higher Arabica ratio and lower caffeine content than our pure Robusta Hanoi Hustle.

Know your caffeine limits and want to plan your order? Browse our full menu — we list all drinks with their base ingredients. Find us at any of our three Vancouver locations.