Ho Chi Minh Kombucha 2026: Lady Kombucha vs. VGeen at Local Markets

My partner and I are huge fans of kombucha, especially here in Vietnam! While kombucha has certainly gained popularity globally for its health benefits, living in Vietnam, we've noticed just how widespread it is. You'll find it readily available in supermarkets, and many cafes and bars even offer it as a fantastic non-alcoholic option, making it super accessible for everyone.

Why Kombucha is So Popular in Vietnam

✔ Abundant & Affordable Fruit & Tea Ingredients

Northern Vietnam is a global tea producer, and with a wealth of tropical fruits like passion fruit, mango, guava, dragon fruit, and mulberry, it's ideal for local kombucha production.

✔ Vietnam's 'Healthy Pleasure' Trend

There's a growing interest in health and wellness, and kombucha serves as a great alternative to sugary tapioca milk tea or condensed milk coffee.

✔ Ho Chi Minh's Trend-Sensitive Cafe Culture

Many pubs and cafes, often collaborating with Western local startups boasting craft beer brewing expertise, have started offering delicious craft kombucha on tap.

✔ Proactive Market & Distribution Channel Entry

What used to be found mainly in expat areas like Thao Dien cafes or specialty markets in Ho Chi Minh City is now widely available in local supermarkets as they expand their healthy beverage sections, tapping into mainstream distribution.

Now that we've covered why kombucha is thriving here, let's dive back into our Ho Chi Minh kombucha review!

First up is VGeen Kombucha, a local brand you can find at WinMart. It's naturally fermented using Vietnamese black tea from the Thai Nguyen region and unique local fruits.

I first discovered VGeen at a Vincom Mall in another neighborhood. Thirsty and intrigued by its delicious look, my partner and I each bought a bottle. After one sip, we realized it was incredibly concentrated – almost like a kombucha extract! Despite the weight, we brought them home and started mixing them with sparkling water and ice.

The glass bottles are quite attractive and effectively seal in the fizz. Keeping them in the fridge and mixing with sparkling water makes for an excellent alternative to soda or other sugary drinks.

The mulberry berry flavor is particularly delicious! I even picked up another bottle when it was on sale.

This one is pink guava. The 16.9 fl oz (500ml) bottles come in these two flavors.

It's currently on sale for ~$43, down from ~$62!

For convenience on the go, the 8.5 fl oz (250ml) PET bottles are a better choice.

The smaller kombucha sizes also come in peach flavor,

and green apple! I'm curious about these two, so I'll definitely pick them up and review them soon.

For now, our absolute number one is still the mulberry berry kombucha!

Both mulberry berry and pink guava are available in the 16.9 fl oz (500ml) bottles.

There are also smaller 8.5 fl oz (250ml) PET bottles available, priced at ~$19, down from ~$28.

Next up is Lady Kombucha, which you can find at Annam Market.

This is a prominent craft kombucha brand, handmade in Da Nang using local organic tea leaves, tropical fruits, and natural herbs.

The story behind Lady Kombucha is quite inspiring. A Vietnamese man named Nguyen started brewing kombucha himself for his wife's post-pregnancy health and his family's well-being, even selling it to friends. An Australian expat named Ben, who had struggled with digestive issues in Vietnam, found relief by drinking Nguyen's kombucha. He convinced Nguyen to turn it into a brand, leading to its launch in Da Nang in 2017. They still handcraft their kombucha, and you can find it in major Vietnamese cities like Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hanoi, at organic markets, Annam Market, and health-focused cafes.

Lady Kombucha's 16.9 fl oz (500ml) bottles come in three flavors: Original, Salted Lime, and Hibiscus, priced at ~$60.

The 8.5 fl oz (250ml) bottles are ~$55 and are available in Ginger Beet and Turmeric flavors.

VGeen Kombucha tends to be a bit sweeter than Lady Kombucha, emphasizing fruity flavors and a more mainstream sweetness. However, even VGeen only contains about 4-6 grams of sugar per 3.4 fl oz (100ml), which is still significantly less than typical sodas that pack 10-12 grams per 3.4 fl oz (100ml).

Once I finish my current stock of VGeen, I'll definitely pick up some Lady Kombucha to do a full taste comparison!