Vietnamese Desserts: A Little Sweet With Your Spice

Chè Trôi Nước: Vietnamese traditional favorite dessert of glutinous rice balls and ginger syrup

Vietnamese cuisine is globally renowned for its balance of flavors—spicy, salty, sour, and sweet. While traditional dishes like Pho and Banh mi often steal the spotlight, did you know Vietnam has an array of delicious sweets. Vietnamese desserts are a delightful mix of textures, flavors, and colors that reflect the country’s diverse culinary heritage. From creamy coconut-based sweets to refreshing fruit dishes and chewy rice cakes, these treats offer a unique glimpse into Vietnam’s food culture. In this guide, we’ve baked up a list of some of the most popular Vietnamese desserts we think you should try.

The influence of sweet ingredients

Vietnamese love sugary treats due to the tropical climate

Vietnamese desserts are heavily influenced by ingredients found in its tropical climate. Rice, coconut, fruits, and beans are common ingredients that weave flavors of many of the country's most popular sweets. When most people think of dessert, they tend to think of surgery treats; however desserts in Vietnam wouldn’t be described as overly sweet like a donut from the West. Rather, they have a subtle sweetness and one feature that really sets Vietnamese desserts apart from the rest of the world are their contrasting textures. They are generally crunchy and chewy or creamy and sticky - even all 4 together! Here are some of our most favorite:

Chè – Vietnamese Sweet Soup

One of the most iconic Vietnamese desserts is chè, which can be described as a sweet soup and pudding. There are countless varieties of chè, often made with ingredients like beans, glutinous rice, coconut milk, tapioca pearls, and fruits. Chè can be served hot or cold, making it suitable for both summer and winter. Although if you’re in Saigon - we recommend it cold!

1. Chè Ba Màu (Three-Color Dessert): Consisting of sweet mung beans, red kidney beans, and green pandan jelly, served with coconut milk and crushed ice, not only does it look like a work of art but tastes like one too! The soft beans to the chewy jelly add density and texture while topping it off with ice and creamy coconut, this Vietnamese dessert is a favorite among locals and tourists alike.

Chè 3 Màu includes 3 colors of beans

2. Chè Chuối (Banana Tapioca Pudding): Another beloved variation, chè chuối, combines ripe bananas with tapioca pearls in a rich coconut milk broth. The bananas are slightly caramelized, bringing a deep sweetness that pairs beautifully with the creamy coconut and the subtle chew of the tapioca pearls.

Chè Chuối - A mixture of coconut, banana slices and peanuts

Bánh Flan – Vietnamese Caramel Custard

Flan is a French inspired dessert, which is typically served with coffee

Much like the bánh mi, bánh flan is a dessert that was adopted during the French colonial period then the Vietnamese added their own influence. Similar to a caramel custard or crème caramel, the bánh flan has a distinct Vietnamese twist: instead of dairy, many versions use coconut milk, which gives it a tropical richness.

Add a drizzle of dark caramel sauce on top, grab yourself a Vietnamese coffee and enjoy!

Bánh Bò – Steamed Rice Cakes

Bánh bò, or Vietnamese steamed rice cakes, can be described as spongy cakes made from a mixture of rice flour, coconut milk, and sugar. Depending on the ingredients used to make them - whether it be pandan leaves (green) - they can be spotted by their bright colors.

If you love sponge cake, you would definitely love Bánh Bò

These cakes have a subtle sweetness and a unique chewy texture. Bánh bò is often served with a drizzle of coconut sauce or sprinkled with sesame seeds, adding a small complexity to the dessert while also balancing sweet and savory.

Xôi Ngọt – Sweet Sticky Rice

Sticky rice, or xôi, is a staple in Vietnamese cuisine, and when paired with sweet ingredients, it transforms into a delightful dessert. Xôi ngọt (sweet sticky rice) comes in several varieties, with some of the most popular being:

Xôi Lá Cẩm (Purple Sticky Rice): Made with purple magenta leaves, this version of xôi is visually appealing and naturally sweet. The rice is sticky, chewy, and similar to bánh flan, often topped with a sprinkle of coconut shavings or sesame seeds for added texture.

Don’t freak out when you see the purple color, it is 100% plant-based

Bánh Trôi Nước - Vietnamese Floating Cake

Bánh Trôi Nước, also known as the "Floating Cake," is a beloved traditional Vietnamese dessert with a rich cultural story. Each glutinous rice ball is skillfully crafted, filled with sweet mung bean paste, and served in a warm ginger syrup that brings a hint of spice to every bite. When cooked, these white rice balls rise and “float” to the surface, symbolizing purity and integrity.

Floating on the surface, Chè Trôi Nước symbolizes pure hearts not affected by temptations

Bánh Rán – Vietnamese Donuts

While they don’t come from the popular Western donut chains, Vietnam makes sure you can get your donut fill while here! Bánh rán are Vietnamese donuts which are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside and often filled with sweet mung bean paste. These deep-fried treats are coated in a layer of sesame seeds, which adds a nutty flavor and crunchy texture.

Basically, it is a crispier donut with sesame

Kem Xôi – Sticky Rice Ice Cream

Have you ever seen sticky rice with ice cream? It tastes better than it sounds.

Kem xôi is a refreshing and unique dessert that combines two Vietnamese favorites: sticky rice and ice cream. The sticky rice is lightly sweetened and often infused with pandan for a subtle floral flavor and color. Accompanied by creamy coconut or vanilla ice cream it is then placed on top of the rice and then garnished with coconut shavings and roasted peanuts for a contrast of both sweet and savory flavors.

Come try delicious Vietnamese desserts with Vespa A Go Go

From travelers to travelers, we travel around Vietnam to give you the best travel tips.

Vietnamese desserts offer a different but delicious journey into the country’s culinary traditions. From the indulgent sweetness of chè to the light and refreshing flavors of fruit-based desserts, Vietnam’s sweets are a reflection of utilizing the county’s flair and agriculture. If you’re visiting Vietnam, hop on one of our tours where you’re sure to have the opportunity to experience some mouthwatering treats!

Travel Tips