World Coffee Heritage Forum Opens in Dak Lak, Vietnam
Vietnam hosts World Coffee Heritage Forum in Dak Lak, showcasing coffee culture for UNESCO recognition.
Forum at a Glance
About the Forum
The inaugural World Coffee Heritage Forum was held at the World Coffee Museum in Buon Ma Thuot, Dak Lak, from April 17 to 19, 2026. The forum's theme: 'From Diverse Traditions to a Living Global Heritage.'
The forum was co-organized by the Dak Lak People's Committee, UNESCO, Ho Chi Minh City University of Culture, and Trung Nguyen Legend. Fourteen presentations spanned 4 themes: history, cultivation, consumer culture, and heritage protection.
Photo: VNA / Nhan Dan
Path to UNESCO Recognition
"Knowledge of Coffee Cultivation and Processing in Dak Lak"
This heritage has already earned National Intangible Cultural Heritage status. The forum represents the next crucial step in building the nomination dossier for UNESCO international recognition.
With UNESCO's involvement and representatives from over 20 nations, the forum established the academic and diplomatic foundation needed for the nomination process.
Participating Nations
Colombia
UNESCO coffee heritage 2011
Turkey
Turkish coffee culture UNESCO
Italy
Espresso intangible heritage
Palestine
Arabic coffee tradition
Thailand
Southeast Asian coffee
FAO
Food and Agriculture Organization
Dak Lak: Vietnam's Coffee Heartland
Photo: VNA / VietnamPlus
Vietnam is the world's second-largest coffee producer, and Dak Lak is the heart of the Vietnamese coffee industry. The Central Highlands region with its ideal climate and soil has fostered a unique coffee cultivation tradition spanning generations.
The World Coffee Museum in Buon Ma Thuot, where the forum was held, is Southeast Asia's premier coffee culture destination, built by Trung Nguyen Legend.
Four Discussion Themes
Coffee History
Coffee's journey from Ethiopia through the Arab world to Vietnam's Central Highlands, and its role in each nation's culture.
Cultivation and Processing
Indigenous knowledge in Robusta cultivation, traditional and modern processing methods in Dak Lak.
Consumer Culture
Vietnamese phin coffee, Italian espresso, Turkish coffee - each culture brings its own appreciation tradition.
Heritage Protection
Strategies for preserving traditional cultivation knowledge amid climate change and industrialization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about the World Coffee Heritage Forum and the UNESCO journey.