Vietnamese Coffee vs Thai Coffee vs Regular Iced Coffee

By Linh Nguyen, Head Barista & Coffee Educator at Hanoi Drip | Last Updated: August 2026

This Vietnamese coffee vs Thai coffee comparison comes down to three things: the coffee base, the brewing method, and the milk or sweetener. Vietnamese coffee is usually a bold phin brew balanced with sweetened condensed milk. Traditional Thai iced coffee is typically steeped or cloth-filtered, then sweetened and often finished with evaporated milk. Regular iced coffee is the flexible option: chilled brewed coffee, served black or customized to taste.

Vietnamese Coffee vs Thai Coffee: The Quick Difference

Both drinks are cold, rich, and often sweet. The biggest difference is how the coffee gets its character. Vietnamese coffee is commonly brewed directly over the glass with a metal phin. That slow drip makes a concentrated base that stands up to ice and condensed milk. Thai iced coffee is often steeped, then strained through a cloth filter or another filter before it is poured over ice. A traditional Thai blend may also include roasted ingredients beyond coffee, depending on the producer. [1]

Regular iced coffee is not one fixed drink. In this guide, it means brewed coffee chilled over ice, with milk and sweetness chosen separately. It can be bright, light, strong, sweet, or plain. That flexibility is useful, but it gives the drink less of a defined house style.

Style	Typical brew approach	Milk and sweetness	What it tastes like
Vietnamese iced coffee	Slow-dripped through a metal phin	Usually sweetened condensed milk	Bold, deep, creamy, and lingering
Thai iced coffee	Steeped and strained; a cloth filter is traditional	Sweetened condensed milk, sugar, and often evaporated milk	Dark-roast, sweet, rounded, and creamy
Regular iced coffee	Chilled brewed coffee or coffee poured over ice	Optional milk, cream, syrup, or no additions	Varies by bean, roast, brew, and order

How Vietnamese Coffee Gets Its Bold Character

The phin makes the brew feel different

A phin is a small metal brewer that sits on top of the serving glass. Coffee drips slowly through the chamber, so the finished cup is concentrated before ice softens it. Vietnamese coffee often uses robusta or a robusta-forward blend because its full body and bitterness can meet the richness of condensed milk. [2]

At Hanoi Drip, our published phin guide uses a working reference of 14–16 g of ground coffee with 120–150 ml of water at 93–96°C. The drip normally finishes in about 4–6 minutes. That is our practical service benchmark for building a coffee base that stays present after ice and milk are added. See our full phin brew guide.

Why condensed milk matters

Sweetened condensed milk does more than sweeten the glass. It adds body and rounds sharp roasted notes. One thing customers ask us every day is whether the drink will taste like a latte. Usually, it will not. A latte is milk-forward; cà phê sữa đá keeps the coffee at the front, then uses condensed milk for weight and sweetness.

How Thai Iced Coffee Is Different

Traditional Thai iced coffee is often made with a very dark coffee blend and brewed by steeping before straining. Some blends include roasted soybeans or corn, so ingredients deserve a quick look if you are comparing brands. The finished drink can include sweetened condensed milk, sugar, and evaporated milk. That layered dairy approach makes it creamy, but it is not the same recipe as Vietnamese iced coffee. [1]

Most people assume both drinks are interchangeable because both may look dark, sweet, and iced. They are not. Vietnamese coffee is closely tied to the slow phin and its concentrated drip. Thai coffee has more variation in its blend and filtering method. Both are worth ordering when you want a cold drink with real coffee flavor.

Vietnamese Coffee vs Thai Coffee vs Regular Iced Coffee: Which Should You Order?

Choose Vietnamese iced coffee when you want a slow-brewed cup with a strong coffee finish and a condensed-milk texture. Choose Thai iced coffee when you want a sweet, creamy drink with a dark-roast profile and a different filtering tradition. Choose regular iced coffee when you want control over the bean, roast, dairy, and sweetness.

At Hanoi Drip, we suggest starting with Vietnamese iced coffee if you are curious about a phin but do not want to drink it black. Ask for less condensed milk if you prefer a firmer coffee edge. If you already enjoy dark roast and iced lattes, it is usually an easy next order.

Where to Try Vietnamese Coffee in Vancouver

Hanoi Drip serves Vietnamese coffee at three Vancouver-area locations. You can look over the drink options on the menu, read about our wholesale coffee program, or visit the location that fits your day.

• Richmond: 12560 Bridgeport Rd #140, Richmond, BC V6V 2N5. Mon–Fri 9am–6pm; Sat–Sun 9:30am–5pm. (604) 270-0876.
• Rupert Street: 3779 Rupert St, Vancouver, BC V5R 5H1. Mon–Sun 8:30am–7pm. (604) 336-7747.
• Mount Pleasant: 691 E Broadway, Vancouver, BC V5T 1X4. Mon–Sun 9am–7pm. (604) 559-9566.

If you are deciding between styles, start with the drink that matches your preference for sweetness. Here’s why: a well-made iced coffee should still taste like coffee after the ice begins to melt.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between Vietnamese coffee and Thai coffee?

The main difference is the brewing and blend tradition. Vietnamese coffee is commonly made by dripping coffee through a metal phin directly over the glass, then pairing it with sweetened condensed milk and ice. Traditional Thai iced coffee is generally steeped and strained, often with a cloth filter, and may use a dark blend that includes roasted ingredients in addition to coffee. Both can be sweet and creamy, but they reach that result differently.

Is Vietnamese coffee always made with robusta?

No. Vietnamese coffee can use robusta, arabica, or a blend. Robusta is common in traditional-style Vietnamese coffee because its heavier body and bitter edge hold up well beside sweetened condensed milk and ice. Some cafés use arabica-forward or mixed blends for a softer profile. The important part is not a single bean rule; it is whether the roast, grind, and brewing method create a balanced cup.

Is Thai iced coffee the same as Thai iced tea?

No. Thai iced coffee and Thai iced tea are separate drinks. Thai iced coffee starts with coffee, then may be sweetened with condensed milk, sugar, or evaporated milk. Thai iced tea starts with tea and often has a spiced or flavored tea base. They can look similarly creamy and cold in a clear glass, so it is worth checking the menu if you want a caffeine source from coffee rather than tea.

Which drink is stronger: Vietnamese coffee or regular iced coffee?

Vietnamese iced coffee often tastes stronger because a phin produces a concentrated coffee base before milk and ice are added. But caffeine and strength vary with the bean, dose, serving size, and recipe. Regular iced coffee can also be strong if it is brewed at a higher concentration or served with less ice. Taste is the best guide: Vietnamese coffee usually feels fuller and more intense, while regular iced coffee can range widely.

Can Vietnamese iced coffee be made less sweet?

Yes. Vietnamese iced coffee can be adjusted by using less sweetened condensed milk. The drink will taste more coffee-forward and less creamy, while keeping the phin’s concentrated character. If it is your first time, ask for a lighter amount of condensed milk instead of removing it completely. That lets you taste why the milk is part of the classic balance without making the drink feel overly sweet.

What does regular iced coffee mean on a menu?

Regular iced coffee usually means brewed coffee served cold over ice. It is not a protected recipe, so the result can change from one café to another. Some shops use drip coffee, while others use a stronger batch designed for ice. Milk, cream, syrup, and sugar are usually optional. If you want a defined style with a clear brewing story, Vietnamese or Thai iced coffee provides more direction.

Key takeaway: Vietnamese coffee, Thai coffee, and regular iced coffee can all be satisfying, but they do not offer the same experience. Vietnamese iced coffee puts the phin, concentrated coffee, and condensed milk at the center. Thai iced coffee leans on its own blend and steep-and-strain tradition. Regular iced coffee gives the most freedom. Try the menu, ask for the sweetness you prefer, and choose the glass that fits your coffee mood.

Related Hanoi Drip guides:

• Robusta vs Arabica: Why Vietnamese Coffee Tastes So Different
• What Is a Phin Filter? How Vietnamese Drip Coffee Is Brewed
• How to Order Vietnamese Coffee Like a Local

Sources:

1. Hot Thai Kitchen, “Traditional Thai Iced Coffee (gafae yen)”
2. Serious Eats, “Vietnamese Coffee”
3. Nguyen Coffee Supply, “Phin Filter” brew guide