So you’ve tried the mouth-watering bowl of Pho and have stuffed yourself with Banh Mi on your trip to Vietnam. But have you tried any Vietnamese desserts yet? Vietnamese sweets may not be as popular as the Vietnamese Pho or Banh Mi, but they are definitely very tasty and full of flavors. From pastries, puddings, to rice balls, check out this list of the tastiest Vietnamese desserts that you should not miss on your next Vietnam trip.
1. Banh Tieu
Banh Tieu is a Vietnamese donut shaped like small bowls and covered with sesame seeds. The crispy dough is fried to perfection and has a sweet taste with a somewhat crunchy texture. You’ll find Banh Tieu being sold in various local markets in Vietnam. They are often sold in large quantity and placed in a huge metal saucer.
2. Bánh Đậu Xanh
Bánh Dau Xanh is a pastry stuffed with mung beans. The beans are cooked with sugar and oil. This dessert is a specialty of Vietnam’s Hải Dương Province and is commonly served during special occasions, such as Tet. Unlike the other Vietnamese desserts, this pastry is not overly sweet and can best be eaten with a cup of local tea.
3. Bánh Xoài
Although Bánh Xoai is known as mango sweet cakes, this dessert does not actually have any mangoes in it. It gets its name from its shape, which is similar to a mango and has a yellow color as well. Bánh Xoai is made from glutinous rice stuffed with a mixture of sesame seeds and peanuts. You’ll find these delectable sweets being sold in various street food stalls in Vietnam.
4. Bò Bía Ngọt
Bò Bía Ngọt is a Vietnamese dessert made of thin rice paper filled with coconut shreds, sesame seeds, and a layer of nougat. This dessert is very satisfying and can make for a perfect snack as well, especially when paired with a glass of Vietnamese coffee. You’ll find the Bò Bía Ngọt being sold in various street vendors and costs only 5,000 VND for each roll.
5. Chè Bà Ba
Chè Bà Ba is basically a coconut milk soup with cassava, taro, sweet potato, and tapioca pearls. This creamy dessert is a favorite among the locals due to the combination of different flavors. It’s served cold and is especially eaten during the hot summer days. This dessert is sometimes topped with a heaping of crushed peanuts, which made it even more delicious.
6. Chè Ba Mau
Also known as the three-color dessert, the Chè Ba Mau got its name from the three classic colors found in it – green pandan jelly, red beans, and yellow mung beans. These ingredients are then topped with ice and a generous amount of rich coconut cream is then poured. This refreshing dessert is served in a tall transparent glass and is commonly served during the summer when the weather is hot.
7. Chè Chuối
Chè Chuối is a Vietnamese pudding made with banana, sago pearls, sesame seeds, crushed peanuts, and coconut milk. This is one of the most popular desserts in the country and is favored by most locals. Much of the sweetness of this dessert came from the bananas, which is one of its main ingredients. If you’re a sweet tooth, then you will surely love this delectable treat!
8. Chè Trôi Nước
Chè Trôi Nước is a sticky rice ball served with ginger syrup. This gooey dessert is served hot and topped with sesame seeds. The chewy rice balls are filled with mung bean paste and then cooked in ginger syrup, which gave it a nice smell. The name Chè Trôi Nước means “fulfillment” in the Vietnamese language. Indeed, this dessert is truly fulfilling to eat and is often served during traditional holidays like Tet and during birthdays and other special events as well.
9. Sữa Chua Nếp Cẩm
The Sữa Chua Nếp Cẩm is a Vietnamese yogurt black sticky rice pudding that’s being served in various local restaurants in Vietnam. The tartness of yogurt combined with the sweetness and soft chewy texture of the sticky rice has made this dessert very delectable. It’s a favorite go-to treat of Vietnamese locals during the hot summer days.
10. Xi Ma
Xi Ma is a black sesame soup, which may not look very appealing on first look. But as they say, never judge a book by its cover, for when you finally get a taste of this dessert, you’ll definitely keep on coming back for more. This sweet treat is made from black sesame seeds and has a rich and flavorful taste. It’s not overly sweet, so it’s the perfect treat for those who don’t really have a sweet tooth. Xi Ma is a popular street snack in Hoi An and is often served in a small soup bowl.
