On August 12, AI Coffee Academy and Da Lat College signed a cooperation agreement focused on specialized training, scientific research, and the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in agriculture and coffee processing. This event coincided with the opening of a new space at King Coffee’s headquarters in Ho Chi Minh City.
Through the partnership between AI Coffee Academy and Da Lat College, learners will gain access to production lines, processing workflows, and real-world business environments. This initiative is expected to help bridge the gap between training curricula and business needs, while also developing a workforce capable of deeper involvement in coffee production and supply chain management.
Linking training and research with the Da Lat – Lam Dong production region also highlights the changing workforce requirements in the coffee industry. As technology is increasingly integrated into cultivation, harvesting, processing, and quality management, workers must not only understand the characteristics of coffee but also possess skills in using technology, analyzing data, and grasping market demands.
According to Ms. Le Hoang Diep Thao, CEO of AI Coffee Academy Co., Ltd., while foreign buyers previously accessed Vietnamese coffee primarily through intermediaries and prioritized low prices, many partners now come directly to Vietnam, showing interest in quality, origin, production processes, and stable supply capabilities.
Ms. Le Hoang Diep Thao
This shift opens up opportunities for Vietnamese enterprises to connect with importers, command higher prices, and build their brands, yet it also demands a higher level of credibility. Specifically, businesses cannot use a high-quality sample to pitch their product while failing to ensure that the actual shipments consistently meet the committed standards. Inconsistent quality across shipments undermines partner trust and, by extension, damages the overall image of Vietnamese coffee.
Ms. Le Hoang Diep Thao asserts that businesses need to maintain consistent coffee quality control and standardize processes ranging from cultivation and harvesting to processing. Business operations must also be transparent, contractually compliant, and ensure accountability toward all parties involved.
In parallel, the coffee industry needs to organize production along value chains, strengthening linkages among farmers, cooperatives, processing enterprises, and distribution networks. Such close collaboration will help ensure consistent quality, stabilize supply, reduce intermediary costs, and facilitate a more equitable distribution of benefits among all participating stakeholders.
Vietnam holds a significant advantage in Robusta coffee but needs to take an active role in shaping the standards for this product, rather than merely producing according to externally imposed requirements. For demanding markets such as the US and Europe, businesses must fully comply with regulations regarding quality, food safety, and traceability.
According to Ms. Le Hoang Diep Thao, Vietnam's coffee exports reached approximately $8.4 billion in 2025. However, the long-term goal is not merely to increase output or export revenue, but to raise the value Vietnam retains within the supply chain and generate higher value from each coffee bean.
"As technology advances and the world opens up, coffee will cease to be merely a standalone product and instead evolve into a value ecosystem. For this ecosystem to develop sustainably and go further, it requires the integration of knowledge, human capital, and international connectivity.
That is why AI Coffee Academy has officially signed a comprehensive partnership agreement with Da Lat College. This is a concrete step toward bridging education and practice, preparing a new generation of high-quality talent for Vietnam's coffee industry," stated Ms. Le Hoang Diep Thao.