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‘Chain of changes’ project organizes first multistakeholder platform workshop on sustainable coffee business in Lam Dong, Viet Nam

Multistakeholder platform workshop on sustainable coffee business in Lam Dong, Viet Nam

RECOFTC Viet Nam brought together farmer groups, cooperatives, local coffee buyers, private companies, trade organizations, local authorities and non-governmental organizations for a multistakeholder platform (MSP) workshop on sustainable coffee business in Da Lat, Lam Dong, Viet Nam. Organized under the ‘Chain of changes’ project funded by the Reversing Environmental Degradation in Africa and Asia (REDAA) programme, the workshop was held on 19 August 2025.

Forty-five representatives from 17 organizations participated in the event, where they worked on codeveloping a framework for sustainable coffee business. This framework will be tailored to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), including cooperatives, supported by the project. Multi-stakeholders have identified solutions and ideas around four themes – policies and technologies, enhancing sustainable coffee value chains, improving branding and image, and sustainable, high-quality coffee farming.

Tran Thi My Diem, director of the Eakmat Cooperative from Dak Lak province, one of the workshop participants, said, “Although I’m busy, I joined this workshop because I want to understand current trends in the sustainable coffee business.”

The workshop served as a networking event, connecting multiple stakeholder groups and fostering business linkages. One of its highlights was a peer-to-peer networking session during which suppliers and buyers exchanged needs, offers and contacts. This resulted in at least two business opportunities right at the venue and sparked many promising connections.

The event featured expert presentations. Presenters and participants emphasized the urgent need to focus on regenerative and low-emission agriculture. Pham Quang Trung, country manager of the Global Coffee Platform in Viet Nam shared global trends in coffee business. Bui Duc Hao, a sustainable coffee expert, also spoke at the event. Hao has introduced a new traceability tool that helps SMEs meet supply chain requirements under the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

During the breakout discussion, participants revealed shared challenges among coffee businesses at various scales. These include scattered farm plots, inconsistent data practices, climate risks and weak branding. Participants agreed that improving farming techniques and recordkeeping is important for boosting coffee quality and strengthening local brands, a priority closely aligned with our ongoing project activities in Lam Dong.

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Linh is project officer at RECOFTC Viet Nam and Thuy is programme coordinator at RECOFTC Viet Nam.

The ‘Chain of changes’ project aims to develop sustainable and inclusive business models in Myanmar and Viet Nam, addressing environmental degradation through nature-positive restoration.