NORTHERN MOUNTAINOUS REGION

NORTHERN MOUNTAINOUS REGION 

         Northern mountainous region is located in northern Vietnam, including provinces like Sơn La, Điện Biên, and Lai Châu, at altitudes of 800–1,200 meters. Cooler highland climate with temperatures between 15–22°C and rainfall of 1,500–2,000 mm/year provides suitable conditions for Arabica cultivation.

         This region specializes in Arabica coffee, particularly the Catimor and Typica varieties. Farms are small-scale and managed by ethnic minority groups. Production is lowering compared to the Central Highlands but growing due to government incentives promoting Arabica expansion. Coffee beans are mostly wet-processed, which enhances the clean, aromatic cup profile suitable for specialty coffee markets. 

        Coffee is a growing cash crop in the northern highlands, helping improve livelihoods and reduce poverty. The area contributes to Vietnam’s diversification toward higher-value Arabica production.

  Arabica share: ~5–7% of Vietnam’s total coffee output 

  Annual production: 1.2–1.5 million 60-kg bags