Top 10 Traditional Vietnamese Desserts You Must Try!

The less-known desserts are Vietnamese ones, and they deserve to at least be tried once in life. Then you will know that the diversity of Vietnamese cuisine is not only for all types of dishes like Pho, banh mi, bun cha, banh xeo, nem, bun dau mam tom, but also in Vietnamese desserts. 

It's easy to find, from small stalls on the streets to high-ranking restaurants, a wide range of options to taste them. Each region had its sweet specialty, and that added much to the variety of the country's cuisine. Without much ado, let's take a tour of desserts from north to south.

Written by Thom DOANUpdated on 05-11-2024

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1. What Makes Vietnamese Desserts Special?

Vietnamese desserts are a true explosion of flavors for the taste buds, thanks to their diversity and unique blend of sweet and refreshing tastes. As a tropical country, Vietnam is abundant in tropical fruits, which allows the Vietnamese to easily incorporate them into their desserts.

What makes Vietnamese food dessert unique is the use of herbs, fresh fruits, palm sugar, grains, and rice flour to create many sweet treats, ranging from sweet soups to traditional cakes, to exceptional snacks. This combination of flavors creates an unforgettable gustatory experience.

Furthermore, Vietnamese desserts stand out from others by intensively using aromas such as jasmine or grapefruit flowers, which impart a delicate and subtle flavor to the dishes.

2. Chè: Vietnam's Most Traditional Dessert

We start with the famous Chè, a sweet soup made with coconut milk, fruits, grains, and tapioca pearls. This traditional dessert is delicately flavored and can be served hot or cold. Chè is a must-try among Vietnamese sweet treats and can be easily found in street food stalls, restaurants, and markets. With its numerous variations, each type of Chè offers a unique gustatory experience that will delight sweet enthusiasts.

• 2.1 Sweet Banana Soup (Chè Chuối)

"Chè chuối" is a simple and popular dessert in Vietnam that consists of ripe bananas, tapioca pearls, coconut milk, and sugar. The bananas are cooked in cane sugar syrup before being added to the tapioca pearls and coconut milk. It is often garnished with roasted sesame seeds or chopped peanuts to add a crunchy texture when enjoyed.

This dessert is highly appreciated by Vietnamese people for its comforting sweetness and creamy richness, as well as its delicate aroma of bananas and coconut milk. The recipe for "chè chuối" is straightforward to prepare, which is why it is often made at home as well as in restaurants.

>>> Also read: Vietnam's Top 12 Breakfast Delights!

• 2.2 Sweet Corn Soup (Chè Bắp)

Chè bắp is a delicious Vietnamese dessert made from sweet corn, tapioca pearls, coconut milk, and sugar. These ingredients are cooked together to create a soft and fluffy texture, which can be served hot or cold according to personal preference. Similar to Chè chuối, the corn kernels are first cooked in a sugar syrup before being added to the cooked tapioca pearls and coconut milk.

The result is a delectable dessert, appreciated for its sweetness and pleasant mouthfeel. Chè bắp is a must-try dessert in Vietnamese cuisine, deserving to be discovered and enjoyed by enthusiasts of exotic sweet treats.

• 2.3 Sweet Glutinous Rice Ball Soup (Chè Trôi Nước)

Chè trôi nước is a dessert soup made of glutinous rice flour dumplings filled with sweet mung bean paste, cooked in cane sugar syrup. This dessert is often flavored with ginger, which adds a spicy and warm flavor. The filled tapioca pearls are first rolled into balls and then cooked in water until they float to the surface, indicating that they are cooked.

It is a highly popular dessert in southern Vietnam, particularly because the residents of this region have a strong preference for sweet dishes. The sweet glutinous rice dumpling soup is traditionally served during Vietnamese celebrations and traditional festivals, such as Tết Hạ thủy.

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In some regions, the sweet mung bean paste can be replaced with sweet black sesame paste. Vietnamese people also use natural extracts to add color to the soup, such as the green color from pandan leaves and the orange color from gac fruit.

• 2.4 Vietnamese Bean Dessert (Chè Thập Cẩm)

Chè thập cẩm means "ten mixes", but its popular name is Mixed Sweet Soup. This Vietnamese sweet treat consists of various ingredients such as red beans, mung beans, coconut, tapioca pearls, candied fruits, colorful jellies, and sweetened coconut milk. Chè thập cẩm is served cold and is very popular during the summer months as a refreshing treat.

The preparation of this dessert is a long and intricate process as each ingredient needs to be cooked and prepared separately before being combined. The ingredients are then artfully arranged in a tall glass, creating multiple layers of color and textures.

Chè thập cẩm is appreciated for its sweet, rich, and complex taste, as well as its colorful and appealing appearance. This dessert is so popular in Vietnam that it''s a must-try.

• 2.5 Vietnamese Rainbow Dessert (Sương Sa Hạt Lựu)

Green grass jelly with pomegranate seeds is a famous dessert originating from southern Vietnam. The "pomegranate seeds" are made from tapioca root and are shaped and colored to resemble real pomegranate seeds, hence their name.

This dessert is appreciated for its sweet taste and vibrant colors, making it visually appealing. The different layers of jelly are flavored with various ingredients, creating a perfect combination for dessert lovers.

>>> Also read: Discover the Top Vietnamese Dishes to Try in Each Region!

• 2.6 Black Bean Sweet Soup (Chè Đỗ Đen)

Not as sophisticated as some other desserts, Chè đỗ đen has a long history in Vietnamese cuisine. This popular dessert is made from black beans and is typically prepared at home. Most Vietnamese grew up eating Chè đỗ đen, which is rich in protein and fiber.

Often served chilled with a generous splash of coconut milk, this treat offers a perfect blend of creamy and sweet flavors, making it an ideal refreshment on a hot day.

• 2.7 Grass Jelly (Thạch Sương Sáo)

This dessert is delicious, a little bit sweet, and just the right choice if you're not into sweets. Grass jelly is sometimes called Suong Sao; it is black gelatin prepared by boiling the leaves and stalks of the Chinese mesona plant and then gelatinized with starch.

The natural sweet and cool grass jelly, mixed with the aroma of coconut milk, helps in cooling down the body wonderfully. A cup of this crispy and unique grass jelly mixed with fatty coconut milk and a little bit of ice will surely promise the enjoyment of every gulp!

3. A Taste of Traditional Vietnamese Cakes

Cakes are an integral part of the typical dessert menu in Vietnam, just like sweet soups. They are prepared with tropical fruits, rice or tapioca flour, and grains, and each region of the country has its variation of these desserts to cater to local taste preferences. Vietnamese cakes are often presented artistically with various patterns and colors to make them visually appealing.

• 3.1 Steamed Layer Cake (Bánh Da Heo)

Banh da lon, Banh da heo, also known as Banh chin tang may, is a traditional Vietnamese dessert highly appreciated throughout the country. This cake is easily recognizable by its green color, obtained from pandan leaf. It is made from glutinous rice flour, cooked in layers with a filling of sweetened coconut milk and mung bean paste. Although its name translates to "pig skin cake," this cake does not contain any animal-derived ingredients and gets its name from the texture of its paste, which resembles the texture of pig skin.

Banh da lon is typically presented in slices. Its soft and sticky texture, along with the sweet and creamy flavor of the coconut milk filling, makes it a unique and delicious dessert. It is often served after a meal or as a sweet snack for an afternoon break.

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• 3.2 Steamed Banana Cake (Bánh Chuối Hấp)

Bánh chuối hấp is a typical steamed dessert from Vietnam, prepared with local ingredients such as ripe bananas, rice flour, coconut milk, sugar, grated coconut, and sesame seeds. The bananas are mashed to form a paste, which is then mixed with rice flour and coconut milk. The paste is sweetened with sugar and flavored with grated coconut and sesame seeds.

Afterward, the mixture is steamed until it becomes a soft and slightly sticky cake. Bánh chuối hấp is served hot and accompanied by a coconut milk sauce. Vietnamese people enjoy this dessert for breakfast or as a sweet snack.

• 3.3. Mung Bean Cake (Bánh Đậu Xanh)

Banh dau xanh, also known as mung bean cake, is a delicate and nutritious dessert originating from Hai Duong province in northern Vietnam. This dessert is made from glutinous rice flour and sweetened mung beans and is shaped into small, naturally colored cubes.

In Vietnam, Banh dau xanh is often served with green tea, creating a harmonious and delicate combination. Additionally, visitors can easily offer Banh dau xanh as souvenirs from their trip to Vietnam, as these small cakes are portable and have a long shelf life.

• 3.4 Deep-Fried Glutinous Rice Ball (Bánh Rán)

Vietnamese deep-fried glutinous rice ball, known as "bánh rán," are delicious small fried donuts that are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. They are typically made from a dough consisting of glutinous rice flour, wheat flour, sugar, and yeast, which is then deep-fried in hot oil. Some recipes include grated coconut or sesame seeds for added texture and flavor.

Vietnamese deep-fried glutinous rice ball are often sprinkled with sugar after cooking to add extra sweetness. They are best enjoyed while still warm to fully appreciate their flavor. These donuts are highly appreciated as an afternoon snack or for breakfast. They are considered an important part of everyone''s childhood in Vietnam.

• 3.5 Coconut Honeycomb Cake (Bánh Bò)

Bánh bò is a popular Vietnamese pastry made from rice flour, sugar, water, coconut milk, and yeast. The dough is steamed to create a soft and fluffy texture. Traditionally, the pastry is served with grated coconut and sesame seeds. There are also modern versions that include ingredients such as taro, mung beans, and pandan. Bánh bò is often consumed as a snack or dessert and is commonly sold in street markets and bakeries throughout Vietnam.

• 3.6 Glutinous Rice Powder Cake (Bánh Khảo)

Glutinous rice powder cake (Bánh khảo) is a traditional treat of the Tày and Nùng peoples in Cao Bang, closely associated with Tet holiday celebrations. Made from strictly chosen glutinous rice, this dessert must undergo multiple meticulous steps of roasting, grinding, mixing with sugar, and pressing into molds.

Usually, the filling is mixed with pork fat, peanuts, and sesame seeds to give a very unique, rich taste. Once a family tradition, today bánh khảo is made and enjoyed all over Vietnam; it means love and unity, symbolizing the heritage of Vietnamese cuisine.

• 3.7 Mooncakes (Bánh Trung Thu)

Appearing in any culture of East Asian countries, but each country has its own unique features when talking about Moon Cakes. Well, Traditional Vietnamese cakes called 'bánh trung thu' are eaten on the Mid-Autumn Festival – these are called Mooncakes. Mainly two types are baked cakes and sticky rice mooncaikes these are filled with either mung beans, lotus seeds or salted egg yolks. 

Today modern generation also gets filled options available such as chocolate or green tea. The cakes are usually taken with tea as it represents togetherness and family. As the Mid-Autumn Festival nears, delicious mooncakes are found in all the towns of Vietnam, or do indulge in preparing them at home.

4. Other desserts: kẹo lạc, chè lam, ô mai,...

Kẹo lạc or Peanut candy: A type of candy that is well remembered by most people. These days, Kẹo lạc is still in demand and can be found on such occasions like weddings, parties, Vietnamese Tet and so on. Crispy Kẹo lạc with its sweetness and fragrance is really a dish we should not miss when visiting Vietnam.

Chè Lam: North’s traditional sweet snack. Also, she can be found during Tet holiday in Vietnam along with the aid of peanut candy. It is suggested to travel to Duong Lam Ancient Village where such dish is best served, a popular site located in Y'avais’and a few kilometers from Hanoi.

Dried fruit or Ô Mai: A common sweet dish for numerous Vietnamese peoples and it can be made of different types of raw tempers like apricot, plum, dracontomelon, tamarind, poisonous mushroom, mango,... Here, Ô Mai is also a culinary remedy. Helps cure motion sickness. And this dish must be consumed by every foreigner tourist here.

5. Traditional Southern Cake Festivals in Vietnam

The Southern Traditional Cake Festival is the largest culinary event in the Western region of Vietnam. It is typically celebrated in March of the lunar calendar in the city of Can Tho. It is an opportunity for locals to celebrate traditional desserts, especially those from the southwestern region of Vietnam. For tourists, it is a chance to taste many traditional Vietnamese dishes such as bánh da heo, bánh tét, bánh khoai mì, and more.

>>> Discover the Magic of Vietnam from to South in 10 Days Itineary! 🌿🛶🏞️

At all the booths, visitors have the opportunity to witness firsthand how national traditional cakes are made by skilled and experienced culinary artisans. These artisans often don traditional costumes from the Southern region, such as the "bà ba" shirt, which adds to the festival''s ambiance. The delicious and famous cakes from the Southern region are showcased at every booth. In addition to the food stalls, there are also many other fun activities such as Vietnamese folk games and traditional music performances.

Final words

Vietnamese desserts offer a wide range of dishes with different flavors, reflecting the cultural and culinary diversity of the country. Desserts made from glutinous rice, tapioca, mung beans, fresh fruits, and other local ingredients are often presented in the form of soups, cakes, puddings, and donuts. The vibrant colors and artistic presentations also add to the aesthetics of these desserts, making them not only delicious but also visually appealing. Vietnamese food desserts are truly a culinary experience to discover for those seeking to explore Vietnamese cuisine and culture.

>>>Read more essential information at:

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