Not all colas in Cambodia are created equal, and V Cola is a perfect example of that. If you’ve ever stopped at a rest stop between cities and grabbed a soft drink, there’s a good chance you’ve seen this one lurking on the shelves.
What the V Cola
V Cola is produced by Vattanac Brewery (a branch of the Vattanac group) in Cambodia, and it is marketed mostly at convenience stores and roadside stops. The brand’s Facebook page shows around 16,000 followers, giving it the look of a local social media push despite the low‑tier product impression.
Unlike more ambitious local colas, V Cola appears clearly aimed at budget buyers, and the taste reflects that: weak fizz, overly sweet base flavour, flat finish, and nothing that suggests craftsmanship or local pride. The exact launch date has not been widely publicised, so the timeframe remains vague.
Photo: V-COLA
Trying V Cola
I first tried V Cola on a long bus trip from Siem Reap to Kampong Thom. The can looked bright,promising, and of the Pepsi ilk, but one sip told the full story.
It is fizzy enough to pass for a cola, but the flavour is generic, almost like a cheap supermarket cola you might find anywhere in the world. Nothing here screams Cambodia or local pride.
Is V Cola any good
No, it is not.. Compared to more careful local efforts it falls well short. Drinkable if you are desperate, but do not expect any joy, sophistication, or satisfying fizz to keep you coming back. On the #ColaQuest scale it scores just 5 out of 10.
That is a poor score. For comparison Ize gets 8, Cambodia gets 6.5 and Classic Coke from a Glass Bottle in Mexico gets 10.
Does it go with liquor
V Cola could technically act as a mixer, but it is so weak and bland that it adds nothing. It might stretch a cheap rum or whisky if you’re stuck in the middle of nowhere, but otherwise you’re better off with literally any other cola. V Cola is the kind of drink you tolerate rather than enjoy, perfect for rest stops and nothing more. A cola for when you have no other choice.