Top 15+ Must-Try Desserts in Vietnam – The Sweet Side of Local Vietnamese Cuisine

Let’s together with Hanoi Local Tour discover the best desserts in Vietnam – from silky coconut puddings and sticky rice delights to iconic Vietnamese sweet soups. A complete guide to must-try Vietnamese desserts you can’t miss on your Vietnam trip.

A Complete Guide to the Best Vietnamese Desserts

Vietnam is not only a paradise for savory dishes like pho, banh mi, and bun cha — it’s also home to an incredibly rich world of sweets. From traditional sticky rice treats to refreshing coconut-based desserts, the country’s sweets are deeply rooted in its cultural heritage and tropical ingredients.
If you’re planning your next culinary adventure, this guide to the best desserts in Vietnam will take you through the most beloved local favorites – the ones every traveler should taste at least once.

What Makes Vietnamese Desserts Unique

Unlike the rich, buttery cakes or sugary confections popular in the West, Vietnamese desserts are built around natural ingredients, subtle sweetness, and playful textures. They are designed not to overwhelm your taste buds, but to leave you feeling light and satisfied – perfect for Vietnam’s tropical climate.

A Harmony of Natural Ingredients

At the heart of every Vietnamese dessert are ingredients drawn from the country’s lush landscapes – rice, beans, tropical fruits, coconut, and palm sugar. These humble components have been used for generations to create sweets that are both simple and deeply flavorful.

A Delicate Balance of Sweetness and Texture

One of the first things travelers notice about Vietnamese desserts is that they’re not overwhelmingly sweet. Instead, Vietnamese cooks prioritize balance and texture – a combination of chewy, soft, crunchy, and silky elements all in one dish.

A single bowl of chè might include crushed ice, soft beans, chewy jelly, and creamy coconut milk – creating a multi-layered experience. Similarly, a warm dessert like bánh chuối nướng (grilled banana cake) offers both chewiness from the bread and smooth sweetness from coconut custard.

The Art of Serving and Sharing

Food in Vietnam is about connection – and that extends to desserts. Sweet treats are often shared among family members after meals or enjoyed together at small roadside stalls.

Whether it’s friends chatting over bowls of chè thập cẩm (mixed sweet soup) or families celebrating with chè trôi nước (glutinous rice balls in ginger syrup) during Tet, dessert time is a social ritual.

Top 15+ Desserts in Vietnam You Must Try

Below are some of the must-try desserts in Vietnam, each representing a different region, flavor, and texture. These sweets are not just delicious – they tell stories about Vietnamese life, festivals, and local traditions.

1. Bánh Chuối Nướng – Grilled Banana Cake

Warm, fragrant, and full of tropical flavor, bánh chuối nướng (grilled banana cake) is a southern favorite. Slices of ripe bananas are soaked in sweetened coconut milk, layered with bread, then baked until golden brown and slightly caramelized.

The texture is soft yet chewy, the flavor rich with coconut and banana — a comforting dessert that perfectly captures the tropical essence of Vietnam. Some versions are served cold, others warm with extra coconut cream.

You’ll easily find this Vietnamese dessert in markets and small bakeries, especially in Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta.

2. Chuối Chiên – Vietnamese Fried Banana

A favorite street snack across the country, chuối chiên is as simple as it is addictive. Ripe bananas are flattened, coated in a light rice flour batter, and deep-fried until crisp and golden. The contrast between the crunchy exterior and the soft, sweet interior is pure perfection.

Sometimes vendors drizzle condensed milk or sprinkle sesame seeds on top for extra indulgence. Best eaten fresh off the pan, it’s the ultimate dessert in Vietnam for those who love crispy comfort food.

3. Bánh Da Lợn – Vietnamese Steamed Layer Cake

Don’t be put off by the name – bánh da lợn (“pig skin cake”) contains no pork at all. Instead, it’s a beautiful layered dessert made from tapioca starch, mung beans, and pandan leaves.

Each layer alternates in color – green from pandan and yellow from mung bean — creating a chewy, sweet, and aromatic delight. The cake is often sliced into diamond shapes and served at tea time or family celebrations.

Its delicate texture and elegant appearance make bánh da lợn one of the most visually appealing Vietnamese desserts.

4. Bánh Rán – Vietnamese Fried Glutinous Rice Balls

Bánh rán is the Northern Vietnamese version of fried sesame balls, filled with mung bean paste and fried to a perfect golden crisp. The outer shell is slightly crunchy, while the inside remains soft and aromatic.

In Hanoi, you’ll often find two versions: the sweet bánh rán ngọt filled with mung bean and the savory bánh rán mặn filled with minced pork and glass noodles.

Enjoyed with tea in the afternoon, bánh rán is a nostalgic dessert in Vietnam that bridges generations — loved by children and elders alike.

5. Bánh Cam – Southern Vietnamese Sesame Balls

Similar to bánh rán but with a crispier texture, bánh cam is another sesame-coated fried ball filled with sweet mung bean paste. Commonly found in southern Vietnam, it’s a crunchy snack that pairs perfectly with coffee or milk tea.

This golden treat is especially popular during the Lunar New Year, symbolizing luck and happiness. Among the best desserts in Vietnam, bánh cam stands out for its satisfying crunch and traditional charm.

6. Bánh Bò – Vietnamese Honeycomb Cake

Named for its distinctive honeycomb-like texture, bánh bò is a steamed rice flour cake flavored with coconut milk and pandan. Light, spongy, and slightly sweet, it’s enjoyed throughout Vietnam as both a snack and a dessert.

You’ll find colorful versions of bánh bò in markets — green from pandan, pink from food coloring, or white from coconut. Its chewy, airy consistency makes it a fun and satisfying Vietnamese dessert for all ages.

7. Bánh Khoai Mì Nướng – Baked Cassava Cake

Made from grated cassava, coconut milk, and condensed milk, bánh khoai mì nướng is dense, chewy, and delightfully aromatic. Baked until golden brown, it’s a humble dessert you’ll find in southern households and local bakeries.

It’s gluten-free, naturally sweet, and packed with texture — a perfect introduction to traditional Vietnamese desserts that rely on simple, local ingredients.

8. Bánh Ít Lá Gai – Sticky Rice Cake with Gai Leaves

Originating from Central Vietnam, this dessert features sticky rice dough colored black with lá gai (ramie leaves), filled with sweetened mung bean or coconut. Wrapped in banana leaves, it’s steamed until soft and fragrant.

It’s a cultural symbol often given as gifts during festivals and weddings — proof that desserts in Vietnam aren’t just for eating, but for sharing.

9. Bánh Trôi & Bánh Chay – Floating Rice Balls

Traditional Northern Vietnamese sweets often made for festivals like Hàn Thực, bánh trôi and bánh chay are glutinous rice balls filled with palm sugar or mung bean, floating in light syrup.

Their round shape symbolizes completeness and happiness — a beautiful reflection of Vietnamese family values.

10. Bánh Bao Chỉ – Snowskin Mochi

Inspired by Chinese mochi but adapted to Vietnamese tastes, bánh bao chỉ features soft, chewy rice dough filled with mung bean or coconut paste, rolled in grated coconut.

Its pastel colors and delicate texture make it one of the prettiest Vietnamese desserts, often enjoyed with tea during festivals.

11. Xôi Ngọt – Sweet Sticky Rice

Sticky rice, or xôi, is a staple in Vietnamese cuisine, often eaten for breakfast — but the sweet versions are perfect for dessert. Xôi gấc (red sticky rice), xôi dừa (coconut sticky rice), and xôi đậu xanh (mung bean sticky rice) are the most common.

Each type has its own fragrance and symbolism. For example, xôi gấc represents happiness and prosperity thanks to its bright red color. Topped with sesame seeds or shredded coconut, it’s a simple yet meaningful must-try dessert in Vietnam.

12. Chè – The Heart and Soul of Vietnamese Dessert Culture

When it comes to dessert in Vietnam, chè is king. This beloved category encompasses dozens of varieties of sweet soups, puddings, and drinks. The name chè refers not to one dish, but to a whole world of textures and tastes – each version reflecting local ingredients and creativity.

Some must-try versions include:

• Chè Ba Màu (Three-Color Dessert): A colorful layered drink with mung bean paste, red beans, and pandan jelly, served with coconut milk and crushed ice. Refreshing, sweet, and photogenic — a perfect tropical indulgence.
• Chè Bà Ba (Southern Sweet Soup): A rich, creamy dessert from southern Vietnam made with taro, cassava, and sweet potatoes simmered in coconut milk.
• Chè Thái: A Vietnamese-Thai fusion with jackfruit, lychee, and jelly, swimming in sweet coconut cream.
• Chè Sương Sáo (Grass Jelly Dessert): A herbal, cooling jelly mixed with coconut milk and tapioca pearls – light and perfect for hot afternoons.

Each spoonful of chè reveals layers of history and regional pride. Whether served warm or icy cold, it remains a must-try dessert in Vietnam that embodies both comfort and creativity.

13. Chè Khúc Bạch – Almond Pudding with Lychee

A relatively modern addition to the Vietnamese dessert scene, chè khúc bạch combines cubes of almond-flavored jelly pudding with lychee, longan, and crunchy almonds. Served cold with crushed ice, it’s aromatic and elegant.

This dessert blends European and Asian influences, offering a refined yet refreshing experience — perfect for café-goers and dessert lovers in big cities.

Exploring dessert in Vietnam is like uncovering a hidden treasure within its cuisine. Every chè, every bánh, and every coconut-based creation tells a story — of family, festivals, and flavor.

From the streets of Hanoi to the floating markets of the Mekong Delta, the best desserts in Vietnam invite you to slow down, savor, and appreciate the art of Vietnamese sweetness.

So, on your next trip, don’t just chase the savory dishes. End your meal with a touch of sweetness – the true taste of Vietnamese hospitality.

14. Bánh Flan – Vietnamese Caramel Custard

Introduced during the French colonial era, bánh flan is Vietnam’s take on crème caramel — but with a local twist. The silky custard base is often lighter and less sweet than its Western counterpart, made with condensed milk instead of cream.

In Vietnam, bánh flan is typically served chilled, topped with crushed ice, or drizzled with strong Vietnamese coffee for an irresistible flavor contrast. You’ll find it in small street cafés, family-run shops, and modern dessert bars.

This combination of European elegance and local flair makes bánh flan one of the best desserts in Vietnam for travelers seeking something familiar yet refreshingly unique.

15. Kem Dừa – Coconut Ice Cream

Nothing captures tropical Vietnam better than kem dừa — coconut ice cream served inside a real coconut shell. Creamy, cool, and fragrant, it’s often topped with roasted peanuts, sticky rice, dried coconut flakes, and sometimes even a chocolate wafer.

You’ll find it in beach cities like Da Nang and Nha Trang or in tourist hotspots like Hanoi’s Old Quarter and Ho Chi Minh City’s Nguyen Hue Street. On hot days, this is one of the best desserts in Vietnam to refresh your taste buds.

16. Sương Sáo & Sương Sâm – Grass Jelly and Green Jelly

These herbal jellies are popular across Southeast Asia, but Vietnam has perfected them into refreshing and nutritious desserts. Sương sáo (black grass jelly) and sương sâm (green jelly) are often served over crushed ice with coconut milk and sugar syrup.

They’re light, mildly sweet, and naturally cooling — ideal for Vietnam’s warm climate. Many locals enjoy them as afternoon treats or quick street-side refreshers.

Exploring dessert in Vietnam is like uncovering a hidden treasure within its cuisine. From the streets of Hanoi to the floating markets of the Mekong Delta, the best desserts in Vietnam invite you to slow down, savor, and appreciate the art of Vietnamese sweetness.

So, on your next trip, don’t just chase the savory dishes. End your meal with a touch of sweetness – the true taste of Vietnamese hospitality!