Bac xiu is one of the gentlest ways to enter Vietnamese coffee culture. If Vietnamese black coffee feels too strong, and condensed milk coffee still tastes too coffee-forward, bac xiu sits on the softer side: milky, sweet, smooth, and lightly caffeinated compared with most Vietnamese coffee drinks.
It is sometimes translated as Vietnamese latte, but that only explains part of the drink. A latte usually starts with espresso and fresh milk. Bac xiu comes from a different coffee culture, one shaped by condensed milk, strong coffee, ice, and the habit of adjusting intensity through ratios rather than removing the coffee completely.
In Paris, bac xiu appears directly on the menus at Ha Noi 1988 Cà Phê and Ha Noi 1988 Flowers & Archives. At Cộng Cà Phê, the closest milk-forward Vietnamese coffee option is listed in English as White coco coffee, inside the Vietnamese Coffee section.
What Is Bac Xiu?
Bac xiu, or bạc xỉu, is a Vietnamese coffee drink made with more milk than coffee. It is commonly understood as a lighter, sweeter alternative to cà phê sữa đá. Where Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk keeps the coffee strong, bac xiu softens the drink further, making it creamier and easier to sip.
Bac Xiu Variants
On Vietnamese coffee menus, bac xiu can appear under a few flexible names, including Bạc Xỉu, Bạc Sỉu, Vietnamese latte, white coffee, and White Coco Coffee. The spelling may change slightly, but the core idea stays the same: a softer, milk-forward Vietnamese coffee drink.
At Ha Noi 1988 Cà Phê, the menu lists Bạc Xỉu Nóng/Đá. At Ha Noi 1988 Flowers & Archives, the menu lists Bạc Sỉu Nóng/Đá, translated as hot or iced Vietnamese latte. These are the clearest bac xiu options in Paris.
At Cộng Cà Phê, the closest related drink is White Coco Coffee. The menu also includes Phở White Coco, a more experimental version in the Vietnamese Phở Coffee section. These drinks are not labelled “bac xiu” in English, but they belong to the same white coffee family: milkier, smoother, and gentler than black coffee or brown coffee.
Bac xiu can cover Bạc Xỉu, Bạc Sỉu, Vietnamese latte, White Coco Coffee, Phở White Coco, and other white coffee-style Vietnamese drinks. The key is not the exact spelling, but the soft coffee-and-milk profile.
The Vietnamese Connection
Bac xiu is strongly associated with Southern Vietnamese coffee culture and the Chinese-Vietnamese communities of Chợ Lớn. The name is often linked to Cantonese-influenced café language, and the drink became popular because it made coffee more approachable for people who preferred milkier, sweeter drinks.
That is why bac xiu matters. It shows that Vietnamese coffee is not only about strength. It is also about adjustment: more coffee, less coffee, more milk, more ice, more sweetness, more texture. Bac xiu is the gentle end of that spectrum.
Where to Try Bac Xiu in Paris
Cộng Cà Phê
Cộng Cà Phê: 18 Rue Volney, 75001 Paris, near Place Vendôme and Opéra.
Cộng does not present the drink in English as “Bac Xiu” in the pasted menu data. The closest relevant milk-forward option is White coco coffee in the Vietnamese Coffee section, alongside Black Coffee, Brown Coffee, Vietnamese Americano, Vietnamese Cappuccino, and Vina Latte. It is not the same wording as Ha Noi 1988’s bac xiu, but it belongs to the same family of softer Vietnamese coffee drinks.
Website: congcaphe.fr
Instagram: instagram.com/congcaphe.fr
What customers say:
“So gooood! Its nice to have a cong now in europe aswell, less far then traveling back to vietnam 😝” — Mio, Google Map
Ha Noi 1988 Cà Phê
Ha Noi 1988 Cà Phê: 35 Rue Galande, 75005 Paris.
The café is inspired by nostalgic Hanoi cafés and traditional tailor shops from the 1980s, making it a strong fit for Vietnamese coffee drinks served slowly rather than rushed.
Menu to look for: Bạc Xỉu Nóng/Đá.
Website: viet-eat.com
What customers say:
“First Vietnamese coffee for me and I loved it!! Great service with very nice waitresses ♡ Beautiful super original drinks!” — Thelia, Google Map
“I’ve been here a few times, and honestly, the drinks are fantastic, super good 😱😍😍. This Vietnamese coffee shop has become my go-to spot in Paris ! The ambiance is charming and cozy, and the staff is incredibly friendly. Highly recommend it to everyone …” — Uyen Tran Thuc, Google Map
Ha Noi 1988 Flowers & Archives
Ha Noi 1988 Flowers & Archives: 51 Rue des Archives, 75003 Paris.
Menu to look for: Bạc Sỉu Nóng/Đá, translated as hot or iced Vietnamese latte, with a plant-based milk option. This is the most clearly labelled bac xiu option if you want the drink in a floral café setting.
Website: viet-eat.com/en/flowers-archives
Instagram: instagram.com/hanoi.1988.flowers
What customers say:
“The atmosphere is so cozy with beautiful decorations. We got a matcha, bac siu, and iced lemonade for drinks. Then, we also got a strawberry bento cake, which was extraordinary (Loved the frosting!)” — Lucy Do, Google Map
Frequently Asked Questions About Bac Xiu
What is bac xiu made of?
Bac xiu is usually made with coffee and a larger amount of milk, often with condensed milk for sweetness and body.
Is bac xiu the same as Vietnamese iced coffee?
Not quite. Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk is stronger and more coffee-forward. Bac xiu is milkier and softer.
Does bac xiu contain caffeine?
Yes. Bac xiu contains coffee, so it contains caffeine, though it usually tastes lighter than stronger Vietnamese coffee drinks.
Where can I try bac xiu in Paris?
For clearly labelled bac xiu, visit Ha Noi 1988 Cà Phê or Ha Noi 1988 Flowers & Archives. For a related milk-forward Vietnamese coffee option, visit Cộng Cà Phê.
Looking for bac xiu in Paris? Visit Ha Noi 1988 Cà Phê or Ha Noi 1988 Flowers & Archives for hot or iced bac xiu, or explore Cộng Cà Phê’s milk-forward Vietnamese coffee menu near Opéra. For menus, opening hours, and café information, visit viet-eat.com for Ha Noi 1988 and congcaphe.fr for Cộng Cà Phê.
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