Born from colonial-era plantations, Khe Sanh coffee has evolved into one of Quang Tri’s signature specialties, prized for its distinctive character and its transition toward sustainable, organic cultivation.
Its story dates back to 1926, when French botanist Eugène Poilane was drawn to the highland landscape of what is now western Quang Tri. Recognizing the potential of the region’s fertile red basalt soil, he introduced Arabica coffee and established the first plantations, laying the foundations for what would later become one of central Vietnam’s best-known coffee-growing areas, including Khe Sanh.
Khe Sanh coffee is known for its rich aroma, gentle acidity and lingering sweetness – qualities shaped by an exceptional natural setting. Grown at an ideal elevation, the coffee benefits from nutrient-rich volcanic soil and a cool climate throughout the year. Its uniqueness has since been formally recognized through geographical indication protection.
Today, local farmers are writing a new chapter. Through the Khe Sanh Agricultural Cooperative, hundreds of households have shifted toward closed-loop organic farming. Coffee husks are reused as biological fertilizer, helping protect soil quality and preserve the surrounding ecosystem.
That long-term commitment has earned Khe Sanh coffee Vietnam’s premium five-star OCOP (One Commune One Product) certification and opened doors to international markets, including the United States, France and Japan.
