Discover K’Ho Coffee: A Hands-On Coffee Tour in Da Lat, Vietnam

Nestled on the fertile slopes of Langbiang Mountain in Da Lat, K’Ho Coffee Farm and Roastery offers one of Vietnam’s most immersive and rewarding coffee experiences. Here, rich Arabica beans grown by the local K’Ho ethnic minority are transformed into specialty coffee that rivals any cup worldwide. This isn’t just a tasting – it’s a journey from seed to sip.

A Fragrant Start: The K’Ho Coffee Experience

The moment your first cup of K’Ho coffee reaches your hands, a warm, full-bodied aroma greets you. Take a sip, and you’ll discover a smooth, well-balanced flavor with delicate notes of caramel and almond. Unlike the bold, bitter robusta commonly served throughout Vietnam, this Arabica glides across the palate, gently awakening the senses without the overwhelming caffeine kick.

Rooted in History: Vietnam’s First Coffee Farmers

The story of K’Ho Coffee is steeped in history. In the late 1800s, French colonists introduced Arabica coffee to Vietnam. By 1912, they had established Da Lat as a resort town and enlisted the local K’Ho people to tend to their crops. The K’Ho, already cultivating the fertile lands around Langbiang Mountain, quickly became the country’s first coffee growers.

The K’Ho are a nomadic ethnic group with a deep connection to nature and a strong tradition of handicrafts and storytelling. Their unique cultural identity is reflected in the way they grow and process coffee — with care, respect for the land, and a hands-on approach passed down through generations.

Family-Run and Sustainable

In the 1940s, a K’Ho farmer named Brai Co Lieng planted Arabica seeds taken from the French plantations. Over time, his family continued to cultivate the crop. It wasn’t until 2012 that Rolan Co Lieng, his great-granddaughter, transformed this legacy into a thriving cooperative.

With the support of her family and husband, an American agricultural engineer, Rolan founded K’Ho Coffee Cooperative. Today, the business is run by her family and provides work for over 50 K’Ho households. Every step of the coffee-making process — from planting to roasting — is handled locally using organic farming and agroforestry practices that protect the environment and benefit the community.

What to Expect on the K’Ho Coffee Tour

A half-day tour at the K’Ho Coffee Farm is an immersive, educational, and incredibly flavorful experience. Here’s what you can expect:

• Explore the farm: Walk among the coffee trees and learn how different varieties of Arabica are cultivated using sustainable methods.

• Understand the process: From handpicking ripe cherries to fermenting, drying, and hulling the beans using traditional tools — you’ll witness every stage of production.

• Try your hand at sorting: Only the best beans make it through quality control. Test your skills in seed sorting before moving to the next step.

• Roasting and cupping: Watch a live roasting demonstration, grind your selected beans, and taste the final brew — fresh, clean, and bursting with flavor.

The tour ends with a relaxing coffee break at the charming garden café, where you can sip your handcrafted brew while admiring views of Langbiang’s mountain farms.

Supporting Local Communities Through Coffee

K’Ho Coffee isn’t just about great flavor — it’s about empowering local farmers, preserving indigenous traditions, and promoting sustainable agriculture. Because the roasting and sales are handled by the co-op itself, K’Ho farmers earn fairer wages and avoid middlemen, while committing to environmentally responsible practices.

Their coffee has consistently scored between 84 and 89 on specialty coffee grading scales — a testament to the quality and care poured into every batch.

Plan Your Visit

• Tour price: 700,000 VND per person (includes lunch)

• Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

• Location: Bonneur’C Village, Langbiang Mountain, Da Lat, Vietnam

• Website & bookings: www.khocoffee.com

Whether you’re a passionate coffee lover or simply curious about where your morning brew begins, a visit to K’Ho Coffee offers an unforgettable deep dive into Vietnam’s coffee culture — one cup at a time.