What Are The Top Desserts To Try In Vietnam ?

Q: What to eat in Vietnam street food?

Besides Vietnamese desserts, Vietnamese street food is a must-try for any foodie traveler, offering a rich variety of dishes from north to south. You can sample unique flavors like balut (fertilized duck egg), jellyfish salad (nộm sứa), or spicy stir-fried snails (ốc) at lively night stalls. For grilled delights, don’t miss charcoal-roasted quail (chim cút nướng) or nem nướng - savory grilled pork skewers wrapped in rice paper. Comfort dishes like herbal chicken stew (gà hầm thuốc bắc) and crab noodle soup (bún riêu) showcase Vietnam’s depth of flavor. Don’t forget to try bánh cuốn (steamed rice rolls), cơm tấm (broken rice), and a variety of chè - sweet Vietnamese desserts found everywhere from roadside carts to busy markets. These street foods offer not only great taste but also a chance to experience Vietnam’s vibrant culinary culture firsthand.

Vietnam is world-renowned for its savory dishes like pho, banh mi, and bun cha, but few travelers know that the country is also a paradise for dessert lovers. From colorful sweet soups to crispy banana fritters and rich coconut ice creams, Vietnamese desserts offer a flavorful journey that reflects the nation’s diversity and culture. Whether you're strolling through a night market in Saigon or sipping egg coffee in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, don’t miss these must-try desserts during your trip to Vietnam! In our article, discover top 10 must-try Vietnamese desserts.

1. Chè - The national sweet soup of Vietnam
2. Bánh chuối chiên - Crispy banana fritters
3. Chè trôi nước - Warm glutinous rice balls in ginger syrup
4. Chuối nếp nướng - Grilled sticky rice banana
5. Bánh flan - Vietnamese caramel custard
6. Bánh da lợn - Steamed layer cake
7. Bánh cốm - Green rice cake from Hanoi
8. Kem xôi - Sticky rice with coconut ice cream
9. Kem bơ - Avocado ice cream
10. Cà phê trứng - Egg coffee from Hanoi

1. Chè - The national sweet soup of Vietnam

Che - one of the famous vietnamese desserts

Chè is a broad term referring to a wide variety of Vietnamese sweet soups, puddings, or drinks, often made with beans, tapioca, jellies, fruits, and coconut milk. Served hot or cold depending on the weather and ingredients, chè is a staple dessert beloved across all regions of Vietnam.

Popular varieties you should try:

Chè ba màu (Three-color dessert): Red beans, mung beans, and green jelly topped with coconut cream.
Chè thập cẩm (Mixed sweet soup): A combination of beans, jellies, fruits, and coconut milk - especially common in the South.
Chè chuối (Banana pudding): Bananas simmered with tapioca pearls and coconut milk.
Chè bắp (Corn pudding): Sweet corn cooked with coconut milk for a light, refreshing taste.
Chè bưởi (Pomelo peel dessert): Crunchy pomelo rind with mung beans and coconut cream - a signature in the Mekong Delta.
Chè đậu đen/đậu xanh (Black bean/mung bean sweet soup): Served over crushed ice in summer.
Chè trôi nước: Glutinous rice balls filled with mung bean paste in warm ginger syrup.
Chè nếp cẩm sữa chua: Black sticky rice with tangy yogurt – healthy and refreshing.
Chè khúc bạch: Almond-flavored milk jelly with lychee and toasted almonds – a modern favorite.
Chè đậu ngự: Royal-style sweet soup made with lotus-like lima beans.

You can find chè with the best vietnamese dessert recipes almost everywhere in Vietnam from humble street stalls and traditional markets to modern dessert cafes. In cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, chè is a beloved street food enjoyed in the late afternoon or after dinner. Streets like To Hien Thanh (Hue), Nguyen Phi Khanh (Ho Chi Minh city), and Hang Can (Hanoi) are well-known for their vibrant chè spots.

View more: Top Vietnamese desserts with vietnamese fruits

2. Bánh chuối chiên - Crispy banana fritters

Bánh chuối chiên is a crispy, golden street snack made by flattening ripe bananas, dipping them in sesame-studded batter, and deep-frying them to perfection. The outside is crispy while the inside remains soft, sweet, and full of banana flavor.

This treat is easy to find in the afternoons along streets in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang. Vendors often push carts or set up frying stations near schools and markets - a delicious and affordable snack on the go.

3. Chè trôi nước - Warm glutinous rice balls in ginger syrup

Chè trôi nước - best desserts in Vietnam

This Vietnamese dessert features chewy glutinous rice dumplings filled with sweet mung bean paste, bathed in warm ginger-infused syrup and topped with coconut cream and sesame seeds. It's especially popular during traditional festivals.

You can find chè trôi nước in traditional dessert shops in Hanoi, Hue, and Saigon, especially during cold weather or special occasions. Try it from Old Quarter vendors or in local wet markets like Ben Thanh or Tan Dinh in Ho Chi Minh city.

4. Chuối nếp nướng - Grilled sticky rice banana

This Southern Vietnamese street food star is made by wrapping a ripe banana in sticky rice, encasing it in banana leaves, and grilling it over charcoal. It's then topped with rich coconut cream and crushed peanuts, offering a sweet, smoky flavor and chewy texture. This is also among the top Vietnamese desserts you shouldn’t miss during your trip to Vietnam.

You’ll find this treat throughout Saigon’s food streets, especially on Nguyen Trai or Cach Mang Thang Tam streets. It’s also a common sight in Ben Tre, Vinh Long, and other Mekong provinces.

5. Bánh flan - Vietnamese caramel custard

A French-inspired dessert, bánh flan is a steamed egg custard topped with caramel sauce, often served with crushed ice, coffee, or coconut milk in Vietnam. It's soft, rich, and wonderfully refreshing on a hot day.

You can find it at traditional cafés and dessert vendors nationwide. In Hanoi, flan with fruits is popular in the Hang Than area, while in Saigon, it’s commonly paired with iced coffee at roadside drink stalls.

6. Bánh da lợn - Steamed layer cake

This Vietnamese dessert consists of alternating layers of green pandan jelly and yellow mung bean paste, giving it a soft, chewy texture and a fragrant aroma. Its eye-catching layers make it a popular pick during celebrations.

Bánh da lợn is commonly sold in southern markets like Ben Thanh (HCMC) and Can Tho Market, or by local sweet vendors throughout the Mekong Delta.

7. Bánh cốm - Green rice cake from Hanoi

A Northern specialty, bánh cốm is made from young green rice (cốm) wrapped around a sweet mung bean filling. It’s soft, chewy, delicately sweet, and symbolizes Hanoi’s autumn season.

You’ll find the most authentic bánh cốm on Hang Than Street in Hanoi, where traditional bakeries craft them fresh daily. These cakes are often sold in beautiful green boxes and make excellent edible souvenirs.

8. Kem xôi - Sticky rice with coconut ice cream

This creative dessert combines warm pandan sticky rice with scoops of cold coconut ice cream, topped with roasted peanuts and shredded coconut. It’s a textural and temperature contrast that surprises and delights.

Popular in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, especially around Hang Bac and student neighborhoods, kem xôi is also gaining popularity in dessert cafés in Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City.

9. Kem bơ - Avocado ice cream

Hailing from Da Lat, this creamy dessert blends ripe avocado with condensed milk and is topped with scoops of coconut ice cream. Rich, smooth, and naturally sweet, it’s a must-try for avocado lovers.

Head to Da Lat Market, especially the popular Thanh Thao avocado ice cream shop, to try the best version. The dessert is now trending in Hanoi and Saigon’s modern cafés as well.

10. Cà phê trứng - Egg coffee from Hanoi

This iconic Hanoi drink is made by whipping egg yolks with condensed milk into a frothy custard, then pouring it over strong black coffee. The result? A rich, creamy layer floating over bold Vietnamese coffee almost like a liquid tiramisu.

You can try the original version at Giảng Café in Hanoi - the birthplace of egg coffee. Many other cafés in the Old Quarter also serve this specialty. It has since spread to Saigon and Da Nang, but Hanoi remains the best place to experience it.

Vietnamese desserts offer more than just sweetness - they tell stories of culture, region, and heritage. Whether it’s a steaming bowl of chè on a rainy day, or a refreshing cup of avocado ice cream on a sunny afternoon in Da Lat, each bite is a new experience. Don’t leave Vietnam without trying at least a few of these unforgettable desserts - your taste buds will thank you!

We hope this guide helps you enjoy a truly delicious and authentic experience during your time in Vietnam. From street food stalls to traditional sweet shops, there’s a whole world of flavors waiting to be explored. For a smooth, memorable journey that goes beyond your expectations, don’t hesitate to get in touch with AUTOUR ASIA - Vietnam tour agency.

It is advisable to refer to:
> Vietnamese honeycomb cake
> What to eat in Vietnam
> 2 week Vietnam Trip
> Vietnam Day Trips

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Pascaline Diaz

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What to eat in Vietnam street food?

Besides Vietnamese desserts, Vietnamese street food is a must-try for any foodie traveler, offering a rich variety of dishes from north to south. You can sample unique flavors like balut (fertilized duck egg), jellyfish salad (nộm sứa), or spicy stir-fried snails (ốc) at lively night stalls. For grilled delights, don’t miss charcoal-roasted quail (chim cút nướng) or nem nướng - savory grilled pork skewers wrapped in rice paper. Comfort dishes like herbal chicken stew (gà hầm thuốc bắc) and crab noodle soup (bún riêu) showcase Vietnam’s depth of flavor. Don’t forget to try bánh cuốn (steamed rice rolls), cơm tấm (broken rice), and a variety of chè - sweet Vietnamese desserts found everywhere from roadside carts to busy markets. These street foods offer not only great taste but also a chance to experience Vietnam’s vibrant culinary culture firsthand.

Raphael Palandre

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What is the famous food of Vietnam?

One of the most famous foods of Vietnam is pho, a traditional noodle soup that has become a global culinary icon. Pho consists of soft rice noodles served in a flavorful broth, typically made by simmering beef bones and aromatic spices like star anise, cinnamon, and cloves for hours. It’s usually topped with slices of beef or chicken, fresh herbs, bean sprouts, lime, and chili. Originating from northern Vietnam, pho is now enjoyed throughout the country, with regional variations adding to its charm. This iconic Vietnamese dish is not only a must-try for visitors but also a daily staple for locals, making it a perfect introduction to the rich and diverse flavors of Vietnamese cuisine.