10+ Must-try Sweets in Vietnam

Whether you love sweets or just want to try something new and tasty, Vietnamese desserts have a lot to offer. Check out these 10 delicious Vietnamese desserts that are sure to make your taste buds happy with Vietnam Teaching Jobs (VTJ).

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1. Vietnamese Sweet Soup (Chè)

Vietnamese Sweet Soup (Chè) – One of the most famous Vietnamese desserts

Vietnamese sweet soup, known as chè, is a delightful dessert enjoyed all across Vietnam. Che desserts, made with beans, fruits, and nuts, offer a sweet and refreshing taste, making them perfect for satisfying your sweet cravings, especially on a hot day.

Popular variations include chè Ba Mau, featuring three-colored beans, and chè Thai, a mix of fruits and coconut milk. You can easily find chè at street vendors, local markets, and restaurants throughout Vietnam. Don’t miss the chance to indulge in this delicious dessert during your trip to Vietnam.

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2. Yogurt with Fermented Sticky Rice (Sữa Chua Nếp Cẩm)

Yogurt with Fermented Sticky Rice is a classic Vietnamese dessert that mixed yogurt with fermented sticky rice

Yogurt with sticky rice, known as sữa chua nếp cẩm, is a traditional Vietnamese dessert that combines the tanginess of yogurt with the sweetness of sticky rice. This delightful dish involves mixing plain yogurt with sticky rice that has been soaked overnight and blended with a special yeast.

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3. Vietnamese Grilled Banana (Chuối Nếp Nướng)

Vietnamese Grilled Banana – A must-try Vietnamese sweet 

Chuối nếp nướng, or Vietnamese grilled banana, stands out as one of the country’s most popular desserts, available at numerous street corners. This delightful treat involves grilling a ripe banana coated in a mixture of sticky rice flour, sugar, and coconut milk. 

The outcome is a crispy, caramelized exterior complementing the soft, sweet interior. Some people the coating with sesame seeds or peanuts for added flavor and texture. When in Vietnam, don’t forget to savor the delicious flavor of Vietnamese banana cake, a popular dessert option.

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4. Sticky Rice with Ice Cream (Kem Xôi)

Sticky Rice with Ice Cream (Kem Xôi), a satisfying and refreshing Vietnamese dessert on a hot day

Kem xôi, or sticky rice with ice cream, is a beloved Vietnamese desserts that combines two favorite treats into one delicious dish. This delightful dish features a pile of warm sticky rice topped with a scoop of rich and creamy ice cream, often coconut or durian flavored. The mix of warm and cold, sweet and tasty, makes it a special and enjoyable treat.

You can find kem xôi at street vendors and dessert shops all over Vietnam. Try this unique dessert to enjoy the wonderful combination of warm and cold, sweet and tasty flavors.

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5. Mung Bean Cake (Bánh Đậu Xanh)

Mung Bean Cake (Bánh Đậu Xanh) – The iconic traditional Vietnamese sweets 

Bánh đậu xanh, or mung bean cake, is crafted from ground mung beans, sugar, and fragrant grapefruit flowers. This soft, sweet cake is often served with tea, particularly during holidays and special occasions like Lunar New Year. 

Beyond its delightful taste, it is believed to offer health benefits such as aiding digestion and promoting smooth skin. If you find yourself in Vietnam, be sure to savor this tasty and nutritious dessert.

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6. Pandan Rice Cake (Bánh Đúc Lá Dứa)

Pandan Rice Cake (Bánh Đúc Lá Dứa) – An unmissable Vietnamese desserts

Bánh đúc lá dứa, or pandan rice cake, is a well-loved Vietnamese desserts featuring rice flour, pandan leaves, sugar, and coconut cream. This chewy cake with a subtle fragrance and sweetness from pandan leaves and coconut cream is often served with roasted peanuts, shredded coconut, or sesame seeds.

To create bánh đúc lá dứa, rice flour is mixed with pandan juice from pandan leaves, and then steamed to achieve a firm texture. The cake is cut into bite-sized pieces and decorated with desired toppings. A cherished dessert in Vietnam, pandan rice cake is frequently enjoyed as a snack or post-meal treat.

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7. Vietnamese Hollow Donut (Bánh Tiêu)

Vietnamese Hollow Donut (Bánh Tiêu) is a popular choice for snacks or desserts in Vietnam

Banh Tieu, also known as Vietnamese donuts, are delightful and straightforward desserts in Vietnam. Crafted from a blend of wheat flour, sugar, and yeast, the dough is deep-fried until it achieves a crispy, golden-brown exterior. The outer layer carries a pleasant sweetness and crispiness, while the inside boasts a light and fluffy texture.

These donuts can be enjoyed plain or filled with various ingredients like sweet bean paste, coconut, or sesame seeds. Whether eaten alone or with hot soy milk or Vietnamese coffee, banh tieu is a popular choice for snacks or desserts, readily available across Vietnam, from street vendors to upscale restaurants.

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8. Tofu Pudding (Tào Phớ)

Tofu pudding (Tao pho) – A beloved Vietnamese dessert 

Tofu pudding, or tao pho, is a familiar dessert in Vietnam with a silky-smooth texture and a subtle, refreshing taste. A traditional bowl features soybeans, sweet syrup, and ice. Nowadays, locals enhance the experience with toppings like grass jelly, tapioca pearls, shredded coconut, and dried coconut.

The blend of soybean flavor, sweetness from sugar syrup, the gentle aroma of jasmine, and the coolness of ice create a refreshing summer treat. Even during Hanoi’s winter, you can savor this dish, swapping ice for fresh ginger to provide warmth.

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9. Honeycomb Cake (Bánh Bò)

Honeycomb Cake (Bánh Bò) is one of the most popular cakes in Vietnamese cuisine

Banh bo, or honeycomb cake, is a well-loved dessert made from rice flour, sugar, water, and yeast, presenting a distinctive honeycomb structure courtesy of the yeast. Typically steamed, the cake achieves a soft and fluffy texture and can be infused with flavors like pandan or coconut.

Commonly found in the Mekong Delta region, honeycomb cake is a delightful sweet snack or dessert and enjoys popularity at festivals and celebrations. If you get a chance to explore Vietnamese desserts, banh bo is undoubtedly a must-try.

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10. Pia Cake (Bánh Pía)

Pia Cake (Bánh Pía) – A traditional Vietnamese dessert with slightly sweet and buttery flavor

Banh pia, a flaky pastry hailing from the southern region of Vietnam, is crafted by combining wheat flour, lard, and sugar. The dough undergoes repeated folding and rolling to create layers, and it’s then wrapped around fillings like mung bean, taro, or durian.

Banh pia boasts a slightly sweet and buttery flavor, complemented by the creamy richness of the fillings. Enjoyed as a snack with tea or coffee, it’s also a popular choice as a gift for friends and family.

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The top 10 Vietnamese desserts listed earlier will not only satisfy your sweet cravings but also provide a glimpse into the country’s history and traditions. So, go ahead and taste these delightful treats on your journey through Vietnam to experience the unique flavors the country has to offer! And don’t forget to follow VTJ every day to explore more fascinating things in Vietnam!