Does Vietnamese Coffee Have a Lot of Sugar in It?

December 4, 2025 •

3 min read

Sweetened condensed milk is approximately 45% sugar by weight, and it is the traditional additive that gives classic Vietnamese coffee its notoriously sweet and creamy flavor. This often leads people to ask, "Does Vietnamese coffee have a lot of sugar in it?" While the robusta beans themselves are actually low in sugar, the truth is that the final sugar content of the prepared drink depends heavily on the amount of condensed milk added.

Quick Summary

The high sugar in Vietnamese coffee comes primarily from sweetened condensed milk, not the naturally low-sugar robusta beans. The sweetness is highly customizable, and several low-sugar options are available.

Key Points

Source of Sweetness: The high sugar content in traditional Vietnamese coffee comes from the sweetened condensed milk, which is roughly 45% sugar by weight.
Low-Sugar Beans: The robusta coffee beans predominantly used in Vietnam naturally contain about 60% less sugar than Arabica beans.
Customizable Sugar Level: The sugar content is entirely customizable and can be reduced by using less condensed milk, healthier alternatives, or by ordering black coffee (cà phê đen).
Calorie Impact: A typical serving of Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk can range from 125-240 calories, while a black version is only about 5 calories.
Healthier Alternatives: Options like coconut condensed milk or sugar-free sweeteners can be used as healthier substitutes for traditional condensed milk.
Cultural Tradition: The use of sweetened condensed milk originated when fresh milk was not widely available and has become a beloved cultural tradition.

The Sweetness in the Cup: Sweetened Condensed Milk

For many, the image of Vietnamese coffee, or cà phê sữa đá, involves a dark, rich brew slowly dripping from a phin filter into a glass with a thick, syrupy layer of sweetened condensed milk at the bottom. This milk, a shelf-stable ingredient made by removing water from milk and adding sugar, is the primary source of sweetness. Unlike fresh milk, it was readily available in Vietnam, leading to its widespread use and becoming an iconic part of the coffee culture.

On average, sweetened condensed milk is packed with sugar. A 100g serving of Nestlé Sweetened Condensed Milk, for example, contains around 55.0g of sugar, which accounts for a significant portion of its total weight and calorie count. A typical recipe can call for 1-2 tablespoons, dramatically increasing the sugar and calorie content of the final drink. This explains why a single serving of Vietnamese iced coffee can easily contain 26g or more of sugar, adding up to 125-240 calories, depending on the amount of condensed milk used.

It's All About the Beans... But Not for Sweetness

Ironically, the coffee beans used to make Vietnamese coffee are naturally much lower in sugar than the more common Arabica beans. Over 90% of coffee grown in Vietnam is robusta, and these beans contain about 60% less sugar and fat than Arabica beans. This difference in bean composition is why robusta coffee is known for its bold, earthy, and nutty flavor profile, rather than any natural sweetness. The brewing method using a phin filter also contributes to the final product's strength by creating a concentrated brew, which is then balanced by the intensely sweet condensed milk.

Comparison Table: Robusta vs. Arabica


Feature	Robusta Beans (common in Vietnam)	Arabica Beans (most common globally)
Sweetness	Low; contributes little to no natural sweetness.	Higher; often has bright, fruity, or sugary notes.
Caffeine	High; contains nearly double the caffeine of Arabica.	Lower; provides a milder energy boost.
Flavor	Bold, strong, and nutty with earthy undertones.	Complex, nuanced, and often fruity or floral.
Acidity	Lower; less acidic than Arabica.	Higher; can sometimes be acidic or sour.
Preparation	Often paired with sweeteners to balance its bitterness.	Consumed black, as espresso, or with a simple dash of milk.

Customizing Your Vietnamese Coffee: Less Sugar, Still Delicious

For those who love the strong, rich taste of Vietnamese coffee but want to cut down on sugar, several delicious options are available. The simplest method is to control the amount of sweetened condensed milk, or to replace it entirely.

Healthier Alternatives for Your Phin Brew

Request Less Condensed Milk: When ordering in a cafe, ask for "ít đường" (less sugar) to control the sweetness level.
Go Black: For a zero-sugar option, order cà phê đen (black coffee). This version is rich, strong, and has only 5 calories per serving.
Use Alternatives: At home, you can substitute traditional sweetened condensed milk with alternatives like:
- Sugar-free substitutes: Some people use evaporated milk with a zero-calorie sweetener like monk fruit.
- Dairy-free options: Coconut condensed milk is a popular non-dairy alternative that still provides a creamy texture.
Add Flavor, Not Sugar: Enhance your coffee with spices like cinnamon or a splash of vanilla extract instead of more sugar.

Conclusion

The simple answer to whether Vietnamese coffee has a lot of sugar is that it certainly can, but it doesn't have to. The famously sweet cà phê sữa đá is sweet because of the generous addition of sweetened condensed milk. However, the coffee bean itself is actually low in sugar, and a black Vietnamese coffee (cà phê đen) is essentially sugar-free. With a few simple modifications, you can enjoy the same delicious, bold, and robust flavor of Vietnamese coffee with a fraction of the sugar. This makes it a highly versatile drink that can be tailored to fit your preferences, whether you crave the traditional sweetness or a healthier, less sugary alternative.

For more insight into the unique characteristics of the robusta bean and how it's used in Vietnamese coffee, you can read this informative article on the subject: What is Different About Vietnamese Coffee?.

Frequently Asked Questions

Vietnamese coffee is traditionally sweet because of the use of sweetened condensed milk, which became a popular addition during times when fresh milk was not readily available and has since become a standard part of the preparation.

Yes, you can specify your preference for less sweetness. In Vietnam, you can ask for "ít đường" (less sugar) or "không đường" (no sugar).

Sweetened condensed milk is approximately 45% sugar by weight. For example, a 100g serving of Nestlé's product contains around 55.0g of sugar.

No, black Vietnamese coffee (cà phê đen) is prepared without sweetened condensed milk and is essentially sugar-free and low in calories, with the coffee itself having almost no calories or sugar.

Yes, you can use alternatives like coconut condensed milk, almond milk, or sugar substitutes such as monk fruit to reduce or eliminate the sugar content.

No, Vietnamese coffee is primarily made with robusta beans, which are naturally bold and contain about 60% less sugar and fats than Arabica beans. The sweetness comes from added ingredients, not the bean itself.

A typical Vietnamese iced coffee (cà phê sữa đá) with condensed milk can contain anywhere from 125 to 240 calories, depending on the amount of condensed milk added.