PHIN – Vietnam's coffee heritage, and how PHINƠI carries it forward.

At PHINƠI, a Phin is more than just a coffee brewer. It is a memory, a rhythm of life, and the way generations of Vietnamese people have enjoyed coffee.

Recently, the story of the Vietnamese Phin and PHINƠI’s journey to reimagine it was featured in Food & Wine—one of the world’s most respected culinary magazines, published since 1978.

For us, this recognition is deeply meaningful. It acknowledges the cultural value of the Phin, as well as our efforts to preserve and carry this heritage forward in a way that belongs to today.

The Phin – the heart of Vietnamese coffee culture

The Phin first appeared in Vietnam in the late 19th century. Small, simple, and often made of aluminum, it was designed to sit directly on a cup and brew just enough coffee for a single serving.

Thanks to its slow, gravity-driven extraction, Phin coffee delivers a bold, aromatic cup—somewhere between espresso and pour-over. This is why the Phin became a familiar presence in everyday life, from sidewalk cafés to home kitchens.

Over time, the Phin became more than a brewing tool. It became a symbol. A habit. A way of drinking coffee deeply connected to the Vietnamese way of life.

When the Phin started to feel like “something from the past”

As modern coffee culture evolved, more brewing methods emerged. Through our research and conversations with younger coffee drinkers in Vietnam, we noticed a growing perception: the Phin was increasingly seen as something outdated.

That feeling is bittersweet. Because to us, the Phin isn’t obsolete—it simply hasn’t been repositioned within today’s coffee lifestyle.

PHINƠI – created to continue Phin coffee culture

PHINƠI began with a simple question:

“Fifty years from now, how will Vietnamese people drink coffee?”

From childhood memories of coffee with our grandparents, to daily coffee habits in adulthood, and observations of changing tastes—from modern pour-over to traditional Phin—we began imagining a brewer that could connect both worlds.

PHINƠI was created as a more flexible brewing tool:

• It can be used like a traditional Phin

• It can also function as a pour-over

• Compatible with small paper filters

• Designed for a smoother, more consistent water flow

• Featuring colors and aesthetics that fit modern life

PHINƠI was not created to replace the traditional Phin. It was created so the Phin can continue to be used—naturally, daily, and in a way that feels relevant to a new generation.

When the story of the Vietnamese Phin reaches the world

In Food & Wine, the Phin is recognized as the heart of Vietnamese coffee culture—a slow, flavorful, and deeply symbolic brewing method.

PHINƠI is mentioned as an example of how the Phin is being redefined today: staying true to its core spirit, while becoming flexible enough for modern coffee life.

For us, being featured in an international culinary magazine founded in 1978 is not just a moment of pride—it is also a reminder: heritage truly lives only when it continues to be used and cherished.

Preserving the spirit of the Phin, opening a new future

PHINƠI believes that tradition does not live in form, but in spirit. And that spirit can only be preserved when we continue to brew, continue to drink, and continue to choose the Phin in everyday life.

PHINƠI does not try to make the Phin feel unfamiliar. We simply hope it continues to exist—naturally, enduringly, and in rhythm with the world today.