Tiếng ViệtFew people realize that only about 5% of the world’s cacao qualifies as “fine flavor”—and Vietnam is among the rare countries capable of producing this exceptional variety. Thanks to its diverse soil composition and tropical climate, cacao grown in regions like Bến Tre, Đắk Lắk, and Lâm Đồng reveals a distinctive flavor profile: notes of tropical fruit, delicate florals, and a warm, earthy undertone—altogether forming a character that is both unique and inimitable.
In my journey to uncover Vietnam’s most compelling artisanal brands, I had the privilege of discovering Savall Chocolate—an artisan chocolate brand that carries within it five generations of chocolate-making legacy from Barcelona, now reimagined in Vietnam with heartfelt devotion to our S-shaped land.
I first met Víctor Ceano Savall, founder of Savall Chocolate in Saigon. Amid the lively conversations, he handed me a piece of cashew chocolate he had made himself. One bite—and I paused completely. It was so interesting between cashew and chocolate. It wasn’t just chocolate; it was emotion.
But what lingered even more than the taste was Victor’s story—one of a family chocolate-making tradition dating back to 1892 in Barcelona. The moment he finished speaking, I knew: I had to visit his chocolate house in Da Nang to witness the story behind these handcrafted chocolates with my own eyes.
A Chocolate House Hidden in Da Nang
Savall Chocolate’s house tucked away on a quiet street, shaded by tall trees. There are no neon signs or glossy advertisements—just a modest wooden plaque with the Savall Chocolate logo discreetly placed in the garden. It feels like stepping into a secret.
Victor greeted me at the door with a gentle smile. He led me through the compact but immaculate production space, where everything—from bean selection to roasting, grinding, tempering, molding, and wrapping—is done entirely by hand. The scent of freshly roasted cacao filled the air.
We then sat beneath the trees in the lush courtyard. As we shared more pieces of chocolate, he began to share the rest of his journey.
A Legacy Born in Barcelona, Reimagined in Vietnam
Victor is the fifth generation of a family of master chocolatiers. In 1892, his ancestors founded La Suiza Reñé, one of Barcelona’s most celebrated confectioneries. Growing up, Victor spent his childhood enveloped in the aroma of cacao, learning the craft from his grandfather.
But Vietnam had long held a special place in his heart. From a young age, he and his family spent their summers here, drawn by the country’s warmth, cuisine, and culture. Eventually, Victor was invited to work as a pastry chef at Mango in Hoi An and later at The Nam Hai Resort. What started as a few chocolate orders for friends slowly blossomed into something much bigger.
Thus, Savall Chocolate was born—a brand that doesn’t just blend cacao, but bridges continents and cultures.
Where Spanish Heritage Meets Vietnamese Soul
Victor didn’t merely bring Spanish techniques to Vietnam—he fused them with local Vietnamese ingredients. Every bar of Savall Chocolate is made entirely from Vietnamese produce: cacao, cashews, coconut, coffee, and more. It’s more than just sourcing—it’s a tribute to the land he loves.
But Savall is also about storytelling. Each chocolate design is inspired by Vietnamese cultural symbols—lotus flowers, conical hats, bronze drums, dragons—serving as a delicious medium through which Victor shares his love for Vietnam.
“When someone tastes a piece of Savall Chocolate,” Victor says,
“I want them to feel like they’re touching a piece of Vietnamese culture.”
And I couldn’t agree more. I call it:
“Chocolate with a Vietnamese soul.”
Handcrafted to the Core – The Artisan Philosophy
Victor has stayed fiercely loyal to one principle: quality over quantity. Each chocolate is meticulously crafted, with every step done by hand to maintain full control over taste, texture, and detail. In a world driven by mass production, Savall remains intentionally small, deeply personal.
Over the years, he has turned down numerous offers to scale production at the expense of quality. His quiet reply to these proposals still echoes in my mind:
“There are places where you belong. And places where you don’t.”
Today, Savall Chocolate is trusted by five-star hotels, luxury events, and discerning clients who understand the value of artisan craftsmanship.
The Boutique Where Chocolate Tells Stories
After our conversation, Victor invited me to visit Chocolate Corner by Savall—a charming boutique store just a few blocks from the chocolate house. Housed in a building echoing traditional Vietnamese architecture, it showcases Savall’s full collection. It’s not just a retail space—it’s an intimate storytelling hub, where chocolate becomes memory.
Before I left Da Nang, Victor handed me a few bars of chocolate, carefully wrapped in an insulated pouch to maintain the perfect temperature. It was a small gesture, but it spoke volumes about the precision, care, and respect he pours into every detail.
Savall Chocolate is more than a premium chocolate brand. It is a beautiful confluence of Spanish culinary heritage and Vietnamese ingredients, a heartfelt journey from Barcelona to Da Nang, wrapped in chocolate.
Each piece is a labor of love, crafted by hand, shaped by tradition, and imbued with stories that stretch across oceans. Whether you are a chocolate lover, a culture enthusiast, or a seeker of authenticity—Savall offers more than taste.
It offers belonging.
Read more about Savall Chocolate here
