Coffee , one of the most important industrial crops, was first introduced to Vietnam in the 19th century amidst the country’s colonial influence. The presence and development of coffee in Vietnam reflects not only the economic exploitation by colonial powers but also the adoption and adaptation of this crop by different regions within the country. This article by Nam Son Group will help you understand more about the history of coffee in Vietnam:
Northern Vietnam (Northern region):
Around 1886, Benjamin Balansa, a French botanist, conducted experimental cultivation of Arabica coffee in the Ba Vi mountain area. This project was carried out under the direction of the Governor-General of Tonkin, Paul Bert. The Marius Borel brothers, in 1886-1887, began planting coffee at the foot of Ba Vi mountain in Son Tay. The strong development of coffee cultivation in Tonkin was clearly demonstrated when, by 1924, the area under coffee cultivation had expanded to thousands of hectares, showing the adaptability and robust development of the coffee industry in this region.
Southern Vietnam (Southern Region):
According to documents from the old Gallica yearbook (published in 1870-1871), coffee was present in Cochinchina from a very early period, evidenced by records of coffee imports, the presence of 8 coffee shops in Saigon, and coffee cultivation in places like Ha Tien and Kien Giang. Individual coffee growers such as Mr. Agaisse in Dong Thap and Mr. Blanchy in Binh Duong are proof of the development of coffee in this region. At the same time, many French newspapers such as “Voyage en Cochinchine pendant Les années 1872-73-74” and “La Cochinchine Française” also provided insight into how coffee became an important part of life and the economy of Cochinchina.
Central Vietnam (Central Region):
According to a report by the Deputy Governor of Quang Binh in the 1860s, a European priest brought coffee seeds and began cultivating them in the area. Therefore, it can be determined that coffee cultivation in Central Vietnam began as early as 1856, or as late as 1867.
Overall, the history of coffee cultivation in Vietnam is a diverse story, with its presence and development in three different administrative regions at different times. The distribution and expansion of coffee not only reflects the influence of colonial powers but also demonstrates the adaptability and growth of coffee plants in Vietnam’s diverse geographical and climatic conditions.