Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam is no longer content with being the world’s “raw coffee warehouse”. It is stepping decisively into a new role – a proactive architect reshaping the global coffee value chain through strategic initiatives and growing international influence.
The launch of the Global Coffee Alliance (GCA) in Hanoi on March 26 marked a pivotal shift – from a production powerhouse to a centre of ideas, coordination, and leadership in the global coffee industry.
From production giant to agenda-setter
Le Hoang Diep Thao, founder and CEO of TNI King Coffee, underscored that the alliance is not merely about connection but about creation.
“The global coffee industry now stands at a critical crossroads,” she said, stressing Vietnam’s role as a dynamic bridge between the East and the West. Drawing on proven experiences – from rapid digital economic growth to transformative changes in coffee production, Vietnam is positioning itself as a driver of innovation and sustainability.
This leadership is underpinned by strong performance. In the 2024–2025 crop year, Vietnam’s coffee exports reached a record 8.4 billion USD, up 45% year-on-year, evidence not only of commercial success but also of increasing control over supply chains amid market volatility.
Vietnamese enterprises are also redefining product standards. Leveraging premium Robusta and Arabica beans from the Central Highlands, companies are expanding into deep processing and exporting Halal-certified products to demanding markets such as the UAE, Iran and Malaysia. Strategic ventures in Laos and Timor-Leste, along with franchise expansion in the UK, the US and the Republic of Korea, reflect a broader ambition to globalise Vietnamese coffee technology and business models, according to the entrepreneur.
Looking ahead to 2040, Thao articulated a clear ambition: for Vietnam and other producing nations to move beyond raw exports and take command of high-value processing, firmly establishing national brands on the global stage.
International observers echo this assessment. Saadi Salama, Ambassador of Palestine to Vietnam, described the country as uniquely positioned across the entire value chain – from cultivation to consumption – making it a compelling model of how coffee can drive economic development and international connectivity.
Building shared ecosystem for value and sustainability
The signing of the Global Coffee Alliance Declaration 2026 signals the start of a coordinated effort to build a more integrated global coffee ecosystem – one that balances trade fairness, innovation and environmental responsibility.
Tran Chi Dung, Secretary General of the Vietnam Logistics Business Association, emphasised that future cooperation must go beyond trade to embrace “supply chain diplomacy”. This approach integrates knowledge sharing, understanding of people’s livelihoods, practical solutions and cultural exhange, aiming to optimise the global flows of goods, information and resources.
“Ensuring faster and more efficient circulation of cost, human and product information worldwide is the key challenge,” he said, affirming Vietnam’s readiness to help build and operate an effective global coffee supply network.
The diversity of challenges among coffee-producing nations underscores the need for collaboration. While Timor-Leste is advancing organic coffee production to access premium markets, Laos is striving to deal with productivity constraints. Angola, with its long-standing coffee farming tradition, is working to build a more sustainable and equitable industry.
Against this backdrop, Dr Pham S, former Vice Chairman of the Lam Dong provincial People’s Committee, pointed to shifting global consumption trends as a major opportunity. As demand for environmentally friendly products rises, the current scarcity of organic coffee cultivation presents a golden chance for countries willing to act early.
For nations facing productivity and cultivation challenges, he stressed that targeted interventions – improved plant varieties, better farming techniques, and stronger regional cooperation – will be decisive. Technology transfer and coordinated planning of growing areas, he added, are “key levers” to unlock long-term growth./.
