Vietnamese Desserts: 10 MUST-TRY Dishes Without Further Delay!

Vietnamese cuisine is renowned for its exceptional savory dishes such as the famous Pho, delicious Banh mi, and tasty Banh xeo, just a few examples. However, Vietnamese desserts should not be ignored as they are equally delicious and popular. Whether you''re at a small street stall or a fancy restaurant, you''ll find a variety of dishes to taste. Each region has its sweet specialty, contributing to the culinary diversity of the country.

Written by Thom DOANUpdated on 27-03-2024

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1. What makes Vietnamese desserts so 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, the most popular Vietnamese 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 in Vietnamese cuisine 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.

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 Mixed Sweet Soup - Chè thập cẩm

Chè thập cẩm means "ten mixes", but its popular name is Mixed Sweet Soup. This dessert 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 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!

3. Traditional 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.

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/ Grean bean cake - Bánh đậu xanh

Banh dau xanh, also known as green 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 Vietnamese 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.

4. Traditional Southern Cake Festival 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.

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.

For your information:

The 2024 festival, themed "Preserving and Promoting the Value of Southern Traditional Cakes" - Lễ hội Bánh dân gian Nam Bộ will take place from April 17th to 21st at Binh Thuy District Square in Can Tho City. The organizers have announced that this 11th festival of folk cakes will feature nearly 300 booths of traditional cakes and will bring together 150 artisans from 22 provinces and cities across the country.

If you visit Vietnam during this period, don''t forget to participate in this event to explore the diversity of traditional desserts in the country.

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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