Vietnam is one of Asia’s top producers of natural lump charcoal. From traditional street BBQs to restaurant kitchens and export markets, 

In this article, we’ll look at the top 5 best types of charcoal in Vietnam, comparing their burn time, quality, and ideal uses. Whether you want to cook professionally, grill at home, or buy charcoal in bulk, this guide will help you choose the best types of charcoal.

Why Lump Charcoal Is Popular in Vietnam

Lump charcoal is made by carbonizing hardwood in low-oxygen kilns. Unlike briquettes, it has no chemicals or binders, making it cleaner and safer for cooking. It lights faster, burns hotter, and produces minimal ash.

Vietnam’s tropical climate and rich forests provide ideal raw materials for producing natural lumpwood charcoal — especially hardwood species like mangrove, khaya, eucalyptus, coffee wood, and longan.

Let’s explore the five most popular types you’ll find in the Vietnamese charcoal market.

Top 5 Best Types of Lump Charcoal

Mangrove Charcoal

Mangrove charcoal is one of the most popular types of charcoal in Vietnam. It burns for around 4 to 4.5 hours, giving strong heat and steady performance. The charcoal pieces are hard and dense, making them perfect for restaurants and export markets. Mangrove charcoal produces very little smoke and ash, ensuring a clean grilling experience.

Khaya Charcoal

Khaya charcoal is known for its consistent heat and smooth burning. It lasts about 3 to 3.5 hours, suitable for BBQ restaurants, home cooking, or outdoor grilling. Compared to other Vietnamese charcoal types, it lights up easily and maintains stable temperature throughout the cooking process.

Eucalyptus Charcoal

Made from eucalyptus wood, this lump charcoal type burns clean and evenly. With a burning time of 3 to 3.5 hours, it gives off a light, natural aroma that enhances the flavor of grilled meat. Eucalyptus charcoal is a great choice for those who want eco-friendly and affordable charcoal in Vietnam.

Coffee Charcoal

Coffee wood charcoal is unique among the many types of charcoal available. It’s made from coffee trees after the harvest season and burns for 3 to 3.5 hours with steady heat. This charcoal produces a mild aroma that adds a special touch to your food. Many professional chefs prefer it for its clean smoke and long-lasting embers.

Longan Charcoal

Longan charcoal is considered premium Vietnamese lump charcoal. It has a long burning time — about 3.5 to 4 hours — and very high heat output. The dense wood structure makes it ideal for professional kitchens, BBQ restaurants, and export orders. If you are looking for top performance and clean burning, longan charcoal is the perfect choice.

Buying Charcoal in Bulk

High-quality Vietnamese lumpwood charcoal is widely known for its excellent burning performance and competitive price. In Vietnam, the price of charcoal generally ranges from 10,000 to 15,000 VND per kilogram, depending on the type of wood, carbon content, and grade. Premium types like Coffee and Mangrove charcoal are usually on the higher end due to their density, long burning time, and high heat output.

For restaurants, distributors, or exporters, it’s more cost-effective to buy charcoal in bulk. Bulk purchasing not only helps reduce costs but also ensures a steady and reliable supply for continuous business operations. Working directly with a trusted charcoal supplier allows you to customize packaging, labeling, and shipment to fit your brand or export needs.

When buying charcoal in bulk, always pay attention to key quality factors:

• Moisture content: should be below 5% to ensure efficient burning and long storage life.
• Uniform size: makes it easier to store, transport, and helps charcoal burn evenly.
• Ash content: top-grade charcoal should have less than 3% ash, leaving your grill or oven cleaner.
• Certification: make sure the charcoal is legally sourced and sustainably produced, especially for export markets.

Finding a Reliable Charcoal Supplier

Choosing the right charcoal supplier is very important. A good supplier not only provides high-quality charcoal but also helps you save money in the long run. When you buy from a trusted partner, you can expect stable product quality, flexible packaging, and professional service every time.

In Vietnam, the most reliable suppliers combine local experience with international quality standards. One well-known example is PNP Charcoal, a reputable producer of premium natural charcoal. The company offers customized packaging to meet different customer needs, including:

• Flexo boxes
• Kraft bags
• PP woven bags 
• Plastic bags
• OPP bags

You can explore various types of charcoal packaging in this article: TOP 4 TYPES OF CHARCOAL PACKAGING FOR EXPORT

Conclusion

Vietnam offers a wide variety of natural lumpwood charcoal, each type with its own strengths. By understanding these differences, you can choose the right types of charcoal for your needs — whether it’s for home BBQ, restaurant use, or export trade.

If you’re planning to source charcoal in Vietnam, choose a trusted charcoal supplier who can ensure quality, proper packaging, and on-time delivery. Whether for BBQ, grilling, or export, Vietnamese lumpwood charcoal offers excellent performance at a competitive price.

Check out more charcoal types here:

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