Tran Trong An, a tourist from Hanoi, visited Me Linh Coffee Garden on Aug. 2 following a taxi driver’s recommendation. His group ordered eight drinks, including coffee, milk tea, and fruit tea, for a total bill of VND870,000.

Although prices were clearly listed, An felt they were excessive for the quality provided.

He said that premium milk tea in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City typically costs only VND60,000–70,000 per cup, half the price charged at the cafe. An Americano from a global coffee chain usually costs about VND60,000, whereas Me Linh Coffee Garden sells it for VND110,000.

The milk tea, fruit tea and artichoke tea cost VND120,000 a cup.

“The prices are transparent, and I agreed to pay them, but I feel sorry for Da Lat. With such a great climate, they shouldn’t be charging such exorbitant prices,” An said.

The next morning, he had an Americano at a cafe overlooking Xuan Huong Lake in downtown Da Lat and found the quality comparable but the price was only VND60,000.

An’s post about the Me Linh’s bills attracted more than 3,000 comments on social media.

Most agreed the prices were too “expensive”, especially for the milk tea. Some said they left the shop immediately after seeing the menu, finding the prices significantly higher than Da Lat’s average.

“Truly shocked when I saw the prices,” Phan Huong commented.

Some regular customers defended the cafe, saying the price includes access to the coffee-making area and the opportunity to take photos of the landscaped surroundings.

A representative of Me Linh Coffee Garden acknowledged An’s feedback and said this was the first time it had encountered such criticism.

The representative said the shop uses arabica civet coffee beans, which sell for about VND4.8 million per kilogram. Their milk tea and fruit tea are also made from “fresh, carefully selected ingredients.”

The price covers not just the drinks but also access to the civet coffee production area and live music performances by local artists throughout the day.

They emphasized that all customers are clearly informed about prices and the services included, and that the cafe has been well-supported by visitors for the past 15 years.

However, An said he did not receive any explanation about the pricing, and concluded that the shop was “not worth visiting,” also noting that the restroom was “a bit smelly.”

A specialty coffee expert in Hanoi said civet coffee is considered “specialty coffee” due to its unique production process.

The unnamed expert, who had tried it before, said the flavor was not particularly distinctive but added that the high price, even for civet coffee made from caged animals, is acceptable if it is clearly listed.