There is no doubt that dine-in sidewalk coffee service once became an inspiration for poetry and music, adding to the picture of Vietnamese coffee culture, but now, with take-away coffee, it has significantly contributed to a new feature in the way of enjoying coffee in the burgeoning modern life in Vietnamese localities, and Da Nang is no exception.

Here is a scene of an eye-catching cart offering take-away coffee in Da Nang. Photo: N.H

At 7:00 a.m, the flow of people rushed to the street and crept into every corner of the street. Occasionally, some people pull over to the side of the road, stop by a coffee truck to buy a drink advertised as the whole world's most favourite drink. With this trendy drink called take-away coffee, customers only wait a few minutes to receive a cup of hot or iced coffee and shipping this delicious drink on the go or at work.

For graphic engineer Nguyen Le Bao Tri, it seems like a long time ago, the habit of getting up early at 5.00 a.m to go to a coffee shop, then sipping iced black coffee, is no longer a necessity. His busy work piles up during the daytime and nighttime, making him often sleep deprived. A cup of coffee in the morning helps him stay awake at work.  “Since there is a take-away coffee shop along the way to work, I and other office clerks can save time and still have comfort and refreshment every day.”. said Tri.

Rarely has a drink become as popular around the world as coffee. Because coffee is attractive to almost people and is not a luxury item reserved for any class. Coffee can be consumed at any time, any situation with different moods.

While waiting for his turn, Mr. Tri had a brief exchange with friends with similar interests: "A cup of coffee starts a new working day, for a new relationship at work or privately, even in free time looking for a quiet corner to sip bitter drops to look at themselves, and all have one thing in common is to bring excitement ... ". Maybe that's why so many people, when looking at themselves in sadness and happiness, suddenly realize that coffee has suddenly turned into a soul mate.

Office workers are very fond of salted coffee that can be served in a package or a prepared cup. Photo: N.H

2. Beginning in autumn, the clouds flying across intersections leaves a little shade just enough for coffee from mobile cars placed on the roadside. Along Pham Hung Street running from the junction of Mieu Bong market to the south of Cam Le Bridge in the suburbs of the city, there are many mobile coffee trucks offering take-away drinks.

It is known that take-away coffee originated from Italy, and then quickly popularised all around the world. Since about 2004, this type of convenient coffee services has just appeared in Viet Nam but has only really flourished since 2012.

The charm of take-away coffee is not only the convenience and fast service but the menu is also quite diverse. In addition to traditional coffee, mobile coffee trucks in the suburbs also serve juice, cocoa, Western-style drinks that are not inferior to luxury cafes in the central area, so it is extremely attractive.

Especially, salted coffee, a specialty of Hue, has been able to “cross’ Hai Van Pass into Da Nang in recent years, captivating young people in Da Nang.

In addition to traditional one, there is coffee highlighting such other flavours as matcha, salted egg and caramel. “This coffee is served in both sachets and bottles and can be stored in the refrigerator for 10 days or frozen for up to one month and still retain its good quality. Office workers, especially women, are very addicted to salted coffee.

It is said that salted coffee and its versions are a subtle combination between the bitterness of coffee beans and a little salty taste of salt, a little fat of cream. Regardless of the flavour, this hot drink still retains the rich flavour of Robusta coffee, the favorite coffee of Vietnamese people.

“Having a cup of salted coffee whilst being tired is a good choice. The rich flavour comes from pure coffee beans, combined with greasy salt cream to make the brain pop into refreshing mode right away!”, said a customer.

3. The biggest advantage of takeaway coffee not only meets the needs of enjoying coffee for busy people who do not have time to go to the coffee shop, but also brings a modern breath to the city from the way it is served, to the staff. It is easy to see that most of the staff at the take-away cafes are dynamic young people with their own distinctive uniforms. Many people are really impressed with a scene: service staff waving to passersby, always politely bowing to thank, wishing customers a good new day after customers have finished the purchase here.

Coffee ‘addicts’ sometimes have poeticized the pleasure of this divine drink with all their senses. There, one can watch and feel the pure bitter taste flowing down the crystal clear ice, or press their hands to hear the warmth from a freshly brewed cup of coffee on a cold rainy winter morning.

Maybe take-away coffee does not give believers romantic feelings full of contemplation, but in return, guests can inhale the aroma from a dedicated coffee machine. And more, instead of sitting at the coffee shop sipping coffee next to strangers, customers can bring their favourite coffee to work or home to enjoy with colleagues and relatives in a cozy, intimate space.

It can be said that there are many different reasons, such as a civilised urban lifestyle and a busy modern life... but sit-down coffee service has ceded the original No. 1 position to other forms. And coffee carts or trucks serving take-away coffee can be seen as an improved form of ‘Ca phe coc’, which literally means drinking coffee along the sidewalk. If sidewalk coffee once became an inspiration for poetry and music, adding to the picture of Vietnamese coffee culture, now, with takeaway coffee, it paints a new feature in the way of enjoying coffee in the modern life…

Reporting by NHU HANH - Translating by A.THU