Meet alumnus Nguyen Minh Thang: The man who takes Vietnamese ‘circular’ coffee beans global

Growing up surrounded by coffee, Nguyễn Minh Thắng, a BUV Alumnus, has always nurtured the dream of creating a sustainable coffee development model for the Sơn La growing region and taking Vietnamese coffee to the global stage. 

Circular economy – the key to sustainable development 

“Greening” the F&B services industry, particularly in coffee products, is rapidly becoming a global standard. Many major brands worldwide are working to improve their offerings, ensuring they are not only more environmentally friendly but also maintaining a sustainable process from the coffee farm to the consumer’s cup. 

Vietnam, a leading coffee producer, is also part of this inevitable trend. According to a survey by Vietnam Report, 66.7% of F&B businesses believe that meeting environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria directly impacts their competitiveness. Currently, 92.6% of F&B businesses confirm that sustainable development is a key focus of their 2024 business strategy.  

Sustainable coffee production is an inevitable trend in both Vietnam and the world. 

For the young entrepreneur Minh Thắng, Founder of the Coffilia brand and Director of Minh Tiến Berest, his desire to run a sustainable coffee business reflects not only the responsibility of a young Vietnamese brand towards the environment and society but also stems from a childhood dream: to develop sustainable coffee, create greater benefits for farmers, and elevate Sơn La’s Arabica coffee to the global stage. 

The mindset and responsibility driving sustainable coffee business 

Describing coffee as “running through his veins,” Minh Thắng’s love for coffee was nurtured even before he was born. Growing up, he accompanied his parents to the coffee farms in Sơn La province. He chose to study International Business Management (IBM) at British University Vietnam (BUV) to enhance his management knowledge and take on the responsibility of his family’s coffee brand, Minh Tiến Berest. 

Minh Thắng (far left) introduces Coffilia coffee to enthusiasts at the International Coffee Expo in China. 

Thanks to the knowledge of the circular economy gained at BUV, Thắng realised that Vietnamese coffee is often sold in raw form, without brand recognition, inconsistent quality, and with farming methods that are neither optimised nor sustainable. This insight further strengthened his determination to develop sustainable coffee and take Vietnamese coffee to the world. In 2019, he launched the Coffilia brand, built on the circular economy model. 

At BUV, the focus on sustainability in education goes beyond just environmental concerns. The university equips students with a sustainable mindset that impacts not only their professional lives but every aspect of their personal lives, ensuring they make long-lasting contributions to the community. 

“This model focuses on resource regeneration within a closed loop. By using by-products from earlier stages of production as raw materials for the next product in the ecosystem, we can reduce waste, lower disposal costs, and minimise environmental impact. This is the development trend that industries worldwide are moving towards,” Minh Thắng shared. 

One of Coffilia’s stores on Hàng Trống Street, Hanoi.  

At that time, choosing a new direction with limited experience, logistical challenges, and especially the need to change the traditional coffee production habits of local farmers was not an easy task. However, driven by his responsibility to the community and his love for coffee—values always at the heart of the Coffilia brand name (meaning love and passion for coffee)—Minh Thắng was determined to stay true to his vision. He worked tirelessly to encourage farmers and partners to reform their production practices, leading the way to become a model for sustainable coffee development in the community. He invited international experts to consult and explore practical solutions for Vietnam. 

For Thắng and Coffilia, revenue is not the only goal. He prioritises the health of both coffee producers and consumers, enhancing product quality and reducing environmental impact. All by-products and waste from Coffilia’s production are recycled: coffee husks are used to make bioplastic, which is then turned into products for household use and the F&B industry. This model has brought success and sustainability to the Coffilia brand. 

After 5 years of “sowing the seeds,” Coffilia now operates 3 coffee shops in Hanoi and, notably, 1 store in Kuwait, a country in the Arabian Peninsula. Minh Tiến Berest also owns 5 factories and 2 high-quality coffee-growing regions, with an additional coffee farm in Laos. In 2023, two batches of coffee from this farm were recognised as specialty coffee with high scores, earning recognition from international organisations.  

Coffilia coffee products appeared in the Vietnam Coffee Challenge 2024. 

“I feel fortunate that with the foundation and international environment at BUV, my journey to global markets has been smooth, allowing me to move faster and further. In fact, investors in the Kuwaiti market have now become partners and friends, joining me in continuing the dream of sustainable Vietnamese coffee,” Minh Thắng shared. 

Above all, Minh Thắng hopes that Coffilia will make a small contribution to the development of sustainable agriculture and the service industry in Vietnam. His story, along with that of Coffilia, is a clear testament to the resilience of the younger generation and how sustainable thinking can lead to achievements and create positive value for the community.