When we think of a Vietnamese drink, we often picture a steaming cup of jasmine tea served at the end of a meal. Yet Vietnam’s drinking culture is far richer and more inventive than that. From filter coffee and herbal infusions to fresh coconut juice and liquid desserts, every sip tells a piece of the country’s history. In Vincennes, Mây Bay bridges the gap between this tradition and the current expectations of flexitarian customers seeking not only authentic flavours but also light, modern plant-based drinks. Here are five unique Vietnamese drinks to discover, to extend the culinary experience beyond the plate.
Beyond Jasmine Tea: 5 unique Vietnamese drinks to try
Reading time: ~9 mins
- What is meant by a Vietnamese drink
- Vietnamese herbal teas: a plant-based wellness experience
- Vietnamese coffee: a leisurely ritual at the heart of Mây Bay
- Fresh coconut juice: a one-way ticket to the tropics
- Coconut milk-based dessert drinks: a Vietnamese treat
- Vietnamese drinks and the Mây Bay experience in Vincennes
- FAQ
What is meant by a Vietnamese drink
A Vietnamese drink is more than just a recipe. It is often a shared ritual (coffee slowly brewed at the table, tea served continuously, herbal tea offered at the end of a meal), a way of cooling down in a hot climate, but also of looking after one’s health with herbs.
We can identify several main categories:
- Filter coffee shops, a familiar sight in towns and cities.
- Teas and herbal infusions made from flowers and herbs are a regular part of everyday life.
- Fruit and coconut-based drinks – refreshing and comforting.
- Drink-based desserts, such as certain coconut milk-based desserts.
| Type of Vietnamese drink | Example on the map of Mây Bay | Ideal time to enjoy |
|---|---|---|
| Filter coffee | Vietnamese filter coffee | The end of a meal or a long coffee break |
| Teas and herbal teas | Chrysanthemum flower tea | A light lunch, brunch or afternoon tea |
| Fruit and coconut-based drinks | Fresh coconut juice | A refreshing break during the meal |
| Desserts and drinks | Che Chuoi: bananas with tapioca pearls | A gourmet dessert or afternoon treat |
At Mây Bay, this diversity is reflected in a concise but carefully curated menu, which showcases Vietnamese drinks that complement a 100 % vegetarian and vegan cuisine.
1) Vietnamese herbal teas: a plant-based wellness experience
In Vietnam, herbal teas and infusions are highly prized. They are associated with digestion, sleep, circulation and respiratory comfort. Mây Bay draws inspiration from these traditions to offer a selection of hot drinks with delicate flavours and naturally plant-based recipes.
A choice of herbal tea: a gentle introduction
The range of’a selection of herbal teas allows you to choose, depending on your mood, a Vietnamese drink that is more floral, spicier or fruitier. Served in 25 cl glasses or in a generous size of 400 ml, these herbal teas are the perfect accompaniment to a light lunch or a brunch.
For a quick but wholesome lunch, they offer a soothing, caffeine-free alternative that’s just as suitable for work breaks as it is for business lunches where you want to stay focused afterwards.
Lemongrass and goji berries: a refreshing, invigorating blend
The’lemongrass and goji berry herbal tea puts a new spin on classic Vietnamese herbal drinks. Lemongrass adds a fresh, lemony note – a staple of Vietnamese cuisine – whilst goji berries evoke the tradition of East Asian herbs.
This drink is ideal if you’re looking for something light, slightly fruity and with no added sugar, to enjoy, for example, with a Goi Mây Bay vegetable salad for a truly refined lunch.
Chrysanthemum flowers: an East Asian tradition
The’chrysanthemum flower tea is common in several Asian countries, including Vietnam. Claire, Fabrice and Marie-Laure will find it to be a floral, sweet drink, with no bitterness, which goes very well with slightly spicy dishes such as Crispy vegetable spring rolls.
Dates and longans: a delicious herbal tea
The’date and longan infusion It is reminiscent of the homemade drinks served in Vietnamese households. Longans, a fruit similar to lychees, add a fragrant sweetness, whilst dates provide a natural richness.
It’s a Vietnamese drink that’s perfect for anyone looking for a dessert-like treat without feeling too heavy, for example after a Bun Cha Gio: vermicelli with spring rolls.
Honey, ginger, lime: Vietnamese-style comfort food
Finally, the’honey, ginger and lime herbal tea is a warming drink, ideal when it’s cold or when you need an energy boost. The ginger warms you up, the lime adds a zesty tang, and the honey rounds it all off.
In the Vietnamese mindset, this type of drink is as much about «treating yourself» as it is about «looking after yourself». At the end of a romantic vegetarian dinner in Vincennes, it’s a light alternative to digestifs.
2) Vietnamese coffee: a leisurely ritual at the heart of Mây Bay
It’s hard to talk about Vietnamese drinks without mentioning coffee. In Vietnam, it is slowly filtered through a small metal coffee maker (phin) placed directly over the cup. This produces a strong, aromatic coffee, which can be enjoyed black or with milk.
Vietnamese black filter coffee
The Vietnamese filter coffee It is full-bodied and rich in flavour, but less acidic than an espresso. It is ideal for those who wish to round off their meal with a moment of savouring. Stéphane or Guillaume, for example, will find it a perfect way to end a meal – a welcome change from the standard office coffee.
Serve it after a noodle dish such as Hu Tieu Mây Bay for an interesting contrast between the mildness of the stock and the strength of the coffee.
Iced filter coffee with milk: the iconic version
The Vietnamese filter coffee with iced milk is inspired by the famous iced coffee with milk. In its traditional form, it is sweetened and served over ice, which makes it almost like a liquid dessert.
For flexitarian customers who are mindful of their sugar intake, it can be savoured in small sips, as a little treat to round off a meal – perhaps by sharing a dessert such as Coconut pearl banh bao.
Vietnamese coffee with coconut milk, flavoured with pandan
The Vietnamese coffee with coconut milk, flavoured with pandan, served iced is a signature dish that embodies both modernity and tradition. Coconut milk is used here in place of dairy products, making it a perfect choice for a plant-based diet. Pandan, a leaf widely used in South-East Asia, adds a fresh, almost vanilla-like aroma.
The result is a hybrid Vietnamese drink, halfway between a gourmet coffee and a dessert, which is particularly well-suited to a dinner for two, when you want to share a slightly more sophisticated moment without it being too sweet.
3) Fresh coconut juice: a one-way ticket to the tropics
Coconut water is one of Vietnam’s most iconic drinks. It is drunk on the street, at the market and on the beach, often served straight from the coconut. Refreshing, slightly sweet and rich in minerals, it is associated with the idea of taking a break and enjoying a moment of freshness.
At Mây Bay, the fresh coconut juice captures this spirit. Served well chilled, it is the perfect accompaniment to fragrant dishes (such as the Ba Dung pot – Vietnamese-style curry), soothing the palate.
For customers like Fabrice, who want a quick but high-quality lunch, it’s a more distinctive alternative to a standard fizzy drink, with a genuine connection to Vietnamese culture.
4) Coconut milk-based dessert drinks: a Vietnamese treat
In Vietnam, the line between dessert and drink is often blurred. Some desserts are eaten with a spoon, others are drunk, whilst others fall somewhere in between. At Mây Bay, several specialities play on this ambiguity with plant-based versions.
Bananas with tapioca pearls and coconut milk
The Che Chuoi: bananas with tapioca pearls, coconut milk and peanuts is a classic Vietnamese dish. The banana is gently cooked in coconut milk with tapioca pearls, which give it a pearl-like texture, and then sprinkled with peanuts.
You can eat it with a spoon, but its creamy texture and liquid base make it almost like a dessert drink. Ideal for rounding off a evening menu on a sweet and exotic note, without necessarily serving too many dishes.
Coconut pearls and puffed rice cakes
The Coconut pearl banh bao and the Banh bo – puffed rice cakes are not drinks in the strict sense of the word, but they go particularly well with the Vietnamese herbal teas and coffees mentioned above. For a Vietnamese-style tea time in Vincennes, pairing these little treats with a chrysanthemum flower tea or a coffee with coconut milk creates a truly complete experience.
5) Vietnamese drinks and the Mây Bay experience in Vincennes
What makes Mây Bay unique is the combination of a venue where guests can enjoy fresh, healthy dishes and a contemporary, relaxing atmosphere. Vietnamese drinks play a key role here, as they help to maintain this balance between authenticity and a relaxed way of life.
For a family like Jean-Pierre’s, who are looking for some quality time together without spending hours at the table, the combination of a tasty vegetarian dish and a traditional Vietnamese drink offers a culinary journey without leaving home. For a business lunch organised by Fabrice or Marie-Laure, offering Vietnamese coffee or a herbal infusion instead of standard coffee leaves a more lasting impression, encouraging positive reviews and word-of-mouth recommendations.
Finally, for a romantic vegetarian dinner in Vincennes, the combination of a refined vegetarian menu, fresh coconut juice to start the meal and a pandan-flavoured coconut milk coffee to round off the evening creates a cohesive, seamless experience that’s easy to recount afterwards.
FAQ
Which Vietnamese drinks should you choose for your first meal at Mây Bay?
If you’re new to this, you could start with a fresh coconut juice If you like refreshing drinks, a Vietnamese filter coffee If you’re a coffee lover or a lemongrass and goji berry herbal tea if you’d prefer something light and caffeine-free.
Are Mây Bay’s Vietnamese drinks suitable for a vegetarian diet?
Yes. The drinks menu is designed to complement a 100% vegetarian and vegan Vietnamese cuisine, with alternatives to milk (such as pandan-flavoured coconut café au lait) and naturally plant-based herbal teas.
Which Vietnamese drinks are best suited to a romantic dinner?
For a romantic dinner, you could start with a fresh coconut juice or a floral herbal tea, then share a Vietnamese coffee with coconut milk at the end of the evening, perhaps accompanied by a dessert such as bananas with coconut milk and peanuts for a little extra indulgence.
Vietnamese drinks are much more than just an accompaniment. They extend the culinary journey, give structure to the meal and capture the very essence of the cuisine. In Vincennes, Mây Bay makes it a central feature of its concept. Whether you’re popping in for a quick lunch, brunch or a romantic dinner for two, exploring this drinks menu is a simple way to delve deeper into Vietnamese culture. To prepare for your next visit, you can browse the full menu and drinks selection on the online map.
