| Introduction to Quang Tri Coffee, Khe Sanh |

Quang Tri is one of the provinces in Central Vietnam, famous for producing high-quality Arabica coffee. Particularly, the Khe Sanh area, located in Huong Hoa district, is known as an ideal region for coffee cultivation due to its altitude and special soil conditions. This area is situated at an altitude of about 400-700 meters above sea level, providing favorable conditions for coffee growth.

1. Soil and Climate Conditions

• The soil in Khe Sanh is primarily rich basaltic soil, which offers high fertility, allowing coffee plants to absorb nutrients optimally. The climate here is tropical monsoon, with a rainy season from September to December and a dry season from January to August. The average annual temperature is around 22-25°C, with annual rainfall ranging from 2,000 to 2,500 mm, creating ideal conditions for coffee cultivation. Notably, this region often experiences morning fog, creating an environment similar to the Kona region of Hawaii. The fog helps regulate temperature and humidity, protecting coffee plants from high daytime temperatures and maintaining the necessary moisture for the development of coffee cherries.

• The combination of altitude, cool climate, and dense fog contributes to the unique flavor profile of Khe Sanh coffee, characterized by its enticing aroma and distinctive acidity. This makes Arabica coffee from this region highly regarded and beloved by many.

2. Production and Cultivation Area

• Currently, the entire Quang Tri province has about 4,000 hectares of coffee cultivation, involving around 6,000 smallholder farmers. The average annual coffee production in Quang Tri is estimated at around 10,000 tons. However, due to predominantly monoculture farming practices, which are unsustainable, coffee yields are declining, significantly affecting farmers' incomes.

3. Excelsa Coffee in Quang Tri

• In addition to Arabica coffee, Quang Tri also produces another type of coffee known as Excelsa (Coffea Excelsa). Excelsa coffee, also known as Chari coffee, has a unique flavor and is grown in certain regions of Vietnam, including Quang Tri. Excelsa coffee plants are more resilient to harsh conditions, can grow well in nutrient-poor soils, and require less intensive care compared to other coffee types. However, the cultivation area for Excelsa coffee in Quang Tri is not extensive and is not as common as Arabica coffee.

4. Climate-Adaptive Coffee Farming Project

• In the context of increasing impacts of climate change on agriculture, WWF has launched the "Ecological Coffee Production and Natural Forest Improvement" project in Huong Hoa district, Quang Tri. This project aims to help farmers transition to sustainable ecological coffee production models, combined with the protection and development of natural forests.

• The project aims to protect 18,000 hectares of natural forest in the biological corridor connecting the Bac Huong Hoa and Dakrong Nature Reserves, and to establish an organic-certified coffee production area that adapts to climate change. Over four years, the project will work with farming households to build agroforestry coffee models, intercropping coffee plants with fruit trees and native forestry trees. These activities are expected to increase average incomes by 40% for about 2,000 smallholder coffee farming households, mainly from the Bru-Van Kieu ethnic group.

• Quang Tri coffee, especially Khe Sanh coffee, is not only renowned for its high quality but is also moving towards sustainable development. WWF's climate-adaptive coffee farming project is an important step in environmental protection, improving farmers' incomes, and building a sustainable coffee value chain. This initiative not only opens up opportunities for export to major markets but also contributes to the conservation and development of natural forests in the region. The unique flavor of Khe Sanh coffee, blending ideal altitude, special soil and climate conditions, and dense fog, will surely satisfy coffee lovers worldwide. Excelsa coffee is also an interesting part of the local agricultural landscape, adding diversity and uniqueness to Vietnam's coffee industry.