Today we’d like to introduce you to Vince Nguyen.
Hi Vince, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Nam Coffee is an ode to my journey traversing Vietnam and California. Bringing together farmers from the picturesque mountainous region of southern Vietnam to roasters nestled within the bustling streets of Los Angeles, I’m driven by a distinctly global ethos. Founded by a third-generation coffee maker in collaboration with third-generation farmers, Nam Coffee honors the tradition of Vietnamese coffee with quality products free of any harmful additives or flavorings. Our beans are sourced from a family farm on Langbiang mountain in Đà Lạt — a highlands region famous for its scenic vistas and fertile soil. We offer both Arabica and Robusta blends, spotlighting the diversity and sophistication of Vietnam’s agricultural prowess. California and Vietnam are separated by the vastness of an ocean. With Nam Coffee, I want to unite these two places and inspire you to go on your own journey of creativity, innovation, and self-expression.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I started the company entirely on my own, bootstrapping all the expenses. As an immigrant and new founder, I faced many challenges from finding a roaster to getting my coffee beans to the US in the middle of the pandemic.
When searching for the best coffee in Vietnam, it was important for me to focus on the people who were actually growing the beans in addition to the quality of the coffee itself. That’s why we partner with Thien, whose coffee farm has been in his family for three generations. Thien overseas coffee production at several farms in the highlands of Vietnam and all the people he works with are paid fairly and treated with dignity and respect.
When it came to finding an American-based roaster, I had trouble finding someone who saw Nam Coffee’s potential who also wanted to be in a true partnership with me. I finally found a Los Angeles roaster who had been to Vietnam and knew of the country’s excellent coffee, and it was in this mutual respect for the people and culture of Vietnam that we began our professional relationship.
At present, I have strong, cooperative relationships with our farm partner and roaster to bolster our coffee’s reputation as a premium Vietnamese coffee that’s made with the people behind its creation in mind. Because of the direct-trade relationships built into my business model, I hope to soon be able to import more coffee beans from other areas of Vietnam and support more Vietnamese coffee farmers.
As Nam Coffee grows, we continue to develop more relationships with cafés, restaurants, and retailers in the United States who can taste the difference in the quality of our coffee. My hope is that this network of industry professionals continues to support our growth and encourages others to try our products.”
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Nam Coffee’s mission to source, roast, and provide excellent Vietnamese coffee takes a holistic approach to creating its products. I want everyone involved in Nam’s mission to be treated fairly and to be excited to make coffee that is delicious and good for everyone involved. When searching for the best coffee in Vietnam, it was important for me to focus on the people.
Born in the highland city of Pleiku, founder and Vietnamese immigrant Vince Nguyen sources beans directly from coffee farms like those prevalent in his hometown. Newly launched in 2022, Nam Coffee is Nguyen’s love letter to all the places he’s lived — the Central Highlands, Saigon, and California — and the coffee culture he grew up with from a young age. Nguyen first found his love for coffee at age 12, when he began working at his mother’s street-side coffee cart in Saigon. Now, he’s created a brand that spotlights the traditional as well as the modern tastes of Vietnamese coffee. The brand’s 2022 drop includes: the super-bold Da Lat (100% Robusta) is inspired by Vietnam’s beloved coffee-growing highlands, while the balanced District One (50/50 Blend) is named after the bustling central hub of Saigon, and the light and fragrant Orange County (70/30 Arabica-Robusta Blend) is made for the West Coast palate.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I have long had a keen sense for what makes a quality cup of coffee. Born in Pleiku — a city in Vietnam that’s home to coffee, tea, and honey farms — I enjoyed coffee from a very young age with my older brother and sister. As a twelve-year-old, I gained first-hand experience in the coffee industry when my mom opened up a stand in Saigon’s District One. She was a single mother who worked long hours so I could live a better life. This was the first of many businesses we collaborated on together.
Now years later, I’m ecstatic that I can build off everything I learned from that alleyway coffee stand and continue our family tradition of cultural pride and entrepreneurship. When I moved to Orange County, California, to pursue a career in fashion, I was frustrated by the lack of palatable, suitable Vietnamese coffee brands that were available for diaspora communities and everyday coffee drinkers. Though Vietnam is the second-largest coffee producer in the world, there’s a misconception that our coffee is bitter, low quality, and not on par with global heavyweights. With Nam Coffee, we’re changing the narrative and bringing a centuries-old farming and brewing tradition to the contemporary marketplace.
Pricing:
- $16.95/bags
- $50/trio bags
- $12.95/Phin Filter
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nam.coffee
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/namcoffeeco/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nam-coffee-company/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@namcoffee2438
Image Credits
Nam Coffee
