Coffee – More Than a Drink, a Foundation of Culture

In Vietnam, we don’t say “let’s meet at the coffee shop.” We simply say, “let’s have a coffee.” Because here, coffee is not just a drink—it’s a way to connect, to share stories, and to build community.

This spirit of connection has always been part of coffee’s journey. More than a thousand years ago, coffee first appeared in Muslim prayer gatherings, creating a space where people could come together. By the 16th century, the first coffee house in Istanbul became much more than a place to sell drinks. It turned into a hub of economic, cultural, and social life—where people of all backgrounds gathered to play chess, exchange news, discuss ideas, and even find business opportunities.

Artists, writers, and poets also brought their work into these vibrant spaces. Coffeehouses were called a “school of knowledge” (Mekteb-i-irfan)—where new ideas flowed freely, breaking down social barriers and inspiring fresh ways of thinking. Coffee became known as the “milk of chess players and thinkers,” fueling conversations that shaped philosophy, ethics, and the pursuit of Truth, Goodness, and Beauty.

Today, every time we sit down and say “let’s have a coffee,” we’re not just sharing a drink. We’re continuing a thousand-year-old tradition of gathering, learning, and creating together.