What awaits travellers in Buon Ma Thuot - Vietnam’s coffee capital?
VOV.VN - Buon Ma Thuot, dubbed Vietnam's coffee capital, has been named among National Geographic's 15 best food destinations for 2026, thanks not only to its renowned brews but also to immersive cultural experiences rooted in coffee heritage and indigenous traditions.
In her National Geographic feature, journalist Kristin Braswell highlighted coffee culture as one of the main reasons travellers should put Buon Ma Thuot on their itinerary.
As the heart of Vietnam’s coffee industry, Buon Ma Thuot is located in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak, whose plantations produce more than 40% of the country’s coffee exports. The region is also the world’s largest producer of Robusta coffee beans.
Just outside the centre, visitors can explore the specialty coffee farm Aeroco on the shores of picturesque Ea Kao Lake. The farm offers an immersive look at the production of specialty Robusta coffee, from cultivation to brewing.
Guests can stroll through agroforestry coffee gardens, learn about processing and drying techniques, and even take part in sorting defective beans to understand the rigorous quality-control standards behind specialty coffee. The experience culminates in a guided coffee tasting session and a freshly brewed cup enjoyed amid the farm’s lush surroundings.
Coffee culture spaces were another major attraction cited by the magazine. Spanning 20,000 square metres, Trung Nguyen Coffee Village blends coffee culture with the architectural and cultural heritage of the Central Highlands.
The site combines coffee tasting areas, cultural exhibitions and preserved ancient coffee trees, offering visitors opportunities to explore various coffee styles ranging from traditional Vietnamese blends to civet coffee. Guests can also experience local cuisine and cultural performances reflecting the traditions of ethnic communities in the region.
Another featured destination was the World Coffee Museum, whose architecture draws inspiration from the longhouses of the Ede ethnic group.
The museum houses thousands of artifacts related to the history of coffee around the world and recreates coffee civilisations through interactive and multi-sensory exhibitions involving sound, visuals, aromas and tasting experiences.
Designed as more than a conventional museum, the venue also serves as a space for cultural, educational and sensory experiences centred on the spirit and philosophy of coffee.
National Geographic noted that the combination of coffee production, cultural heritage and tourism experiences has helped Buon Ma Thuot emerge as a standout destination on the global culinary tourism map.
World Coffee Heritage Forum opens in Dak Lak
The World Coffee Heritage Forum officially opened at the World Coffee Museum in Dak Lak province on April 18, serving as a foundation for advancing international partnerships in the promotion of coffee heritage.
