Top 15 Traditional Vietnamese Desserts You Must Try!

Chè, the Iconic Sweet Soups & Puddings

Chè is a collective term for a wide variety of Vietnamese sweet soups, beverages, or puddings, typically served in a glass or bowl. This beloved dish is often served after a main meal, featuring a diverse range of ingredients like beans, seeds, jelly, and fruits, all sweetened with sugar and frequently topped with rich coconut milk. You can enjoy chè either hot or cold, with countless unique varieties ranging from the popular mung bean and red bean versions to the distinctive grapefruit chè and Thai chè.

Chè Chuối (Sweet Banana Soup)

Chè chuối is a simple but really popular Vietnamese dessert. It’s made with ripe bananas, tapioca pearls, coconut milk, and a little bit of sugar. The bananas are simmered in a rich syrup before you add them to the tapioca and creamy coconut milk. To finish, it’s often topped with roasted sesame seeds or chopped peanuts for some extra crunch.

Vietnamese people absolutely love this dessert. It's got this amazing comforting sweetness and a rich creaminess, plus that delicate smell of bananas and coconut. Making chè chuối is pretty easy, which is probably why you'll find it everywhere, from home kitchens to almost every dessert menu in the country.

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

Chè Bắp (Sweet Corn Soup)

Chè bắp is a simple but delicious Vietnamese dessert made with sweet corn, tapioca pearls, and coconut milk. All the ingredients are cooked together to create this wonderfully soft and fluffy texture, and you can have it hot or cold, depending on your preference. Similar to Chè chuối, the corn kernels are first cooked in a rich sugar syrup before they're combined with the tapioca and creamy coconut milk. The result is a dessert that everyone seems to love, appreciated for its balanced sweetness and the pleasant way it feels in your mouth.

Chè Trôi Nước (Sweet Glutinous Rice Ball Soup)

Chè trôi nước is a dessert soup that's made from chewy glutinous rice dumplings. They're filled with a sweet mung bean paste and cooked in a warm syrup that’s got a nice ginger kick. The name "trôi nước" literally means "floating on water," which is exactly what the dumplings do when they're done cooking!

This dessert is especially popular in southern Vietnam. It's a traditional treat they serve during festivals, like Tết Hạ thủy, a festival down in the Mekong Delta.

While the classic version uses mung bean paste, some people like to use sweet black sesame instead. Cooks will also use natural extracts to get cool colors, like green from pandan leaves or orange from gac fruit.

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Chè Thập Cẩm (Ten Mix Dessert)

Chè thập cẩm literally means "ten mixes," and it's also known as Mixed Sweet Soup. This popular Vietnamese sweet treat is packed with a variety of ingredients, including red beans, mung beans, coconut, tapioca pearls, candied fruits, and colorful jellies, all served in sweetened coconut milk. It's an especially refreshing dessert to have during the hot summer months.

Preparing this dessert is a long and intricate process because each ingredient must be cooked and prepared separately before being combined. The ingredients are then artfully arranged in a tall glass, creating multiple layers of vibrant colors and textures.

Chè Sương Sa Hạt Lựu (Vietnamese Rainbow Dessert)

Green grass jelly with pomegranate seeds is a famous dessert from southern Vietnam. The "pomegranate seeds" are actually made from tapioca root, and they're shaped and colored to resemble the real thing, which is how they got their name.

This dessert is loved for its sweet taste and vibrant colors, making it visually appealing. The different layers of jelly are flavored with various ingredients, creating a perfect mix of flavors and textures that dessert lovers can’t get enough of.

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

Chè Đậu Đen (Black Bean Sweet Soup)

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. 

Chè Ba Màu (Three-color sweet soup)

Three-color sweet soup (Chè ba màu) is a dessert that's totally tied to the childhood memories of so many Vietnamese people. This delicious, eye-catching dessert is a popular summer treat, especially in the northern mountainous regions of Vietnam. The chè gets its name from its three main colors and ingredients: red, white, and green beans. When you mix it all up with rich coconut milk, those soft beans and the smooth, cool jelly create an incredibly special and flavorful treat that you’ll want to try again and again.

Cakes, Puddings, and Pastries (Bánh & More)

Bánh Da Heo (Steamed Layer Cake)

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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Bánh Chuối Hấp (Steamed Banana Cake)

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.

Bánh Đậu Xanh (Mung Bean Cake)

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.

Bánh Rán (Deep-Fried Glutinous Rice Ball)

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.

Bánh Bò (Coconut Honeycomb Cake)

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.

Bánh Khảo (Glutinous Rice Powder Cake)

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.

Bánh Trung Thu (Mooncakes)

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.

Bánh pía (Durian Pastry)

The traditional pía cake is a flaky baked pastry with a rich, multi-layered crust. It’s a beloved specialty that originated with the Chinese Teochew community in Vietnam's Mekong Delta, especially in provinces like Sóc Trăng.

While mooncakes dominate the Mid-Autumn Festival in much of Vietnam, pía cakes are the cherished celebratory treat in the southern provinces. The traditional filling is a unique blend of finely mashed mung beans, sweet durian pulp, and often, a savory salted duck egg yolk. This combination of sweet, salty, and the durian’s distinctive aroma creates a truly unforgettable flavor profile.

>>> A quick heads-up for travelers: the durian aroma is famously strong and can be an acquired taste. But if you're feeling adventurous, this sweet and soft-textured pastry is a delicious and culturally significant delicacy worth trying.

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.

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.

Recommended place to try Vietnamese desserts

In addition to the food stalls on Vietnamese streets, you can participate in a cake festival, which is the ideal place to get to know many types of Vietnamese desserts.

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the typical dessert of Vietnam?

The typical dessert of Vietnam is "chè," a sweet soup made with ingredients such as beans, glutinous rice, fruits, and coconut milk.

What sweets are popular in Vietnam?

Some popular Vietnamese sweets include chè, bánh da lợn (steamed layer cake), bánh chuối (banana cake), bánh đậu xanh (mung bean cake), and bánh flan (Vietnamese flan).

What is the name of the Vietnamese sandwich?

The typical Vietnamese sandwich is called "bánh mì," a bread filled with meat, vegetables, and herbs.

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.

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