P O I S O N C A F É

Coffee is huge in Vietnam. Not only in its importance to the Vietnamese economy (Vietnam is second only to Brazil in the list of coffee exporting countries), but also socially, to the Vietnamese people. The French introduced us to coffee during their colonisation of Vietnam and it has since become a big part of daily life here – it is a very social experience, and most Vietnamese will visit a coffee shop at least once a day. The ambience of the coffee shop is perfect for meeting friends for a chat, dating, or even doing a business deal.

Despite not being a Coffee lover myself, I was often invited out for coffee by friends. With drinks options in these venues usually limited to coffee, I saw an opportunity to provide a healthier option for people like myself who don’t enjoy coffee or for those who worry about the negative effects of excess caffeine. Furthermore, my own father was a coffee addict – he was drinking way too much and it was beginning to cause health problems. I wanted him to still enjoy his coffee, but offer him a healthier alternative.