Vietnam is celebrated for many things: bustling cities that never sleep, tranquil towns surrounded by lush landscapes, and, of course, its fragrant and inventive Vietnamese desserts.
Whether you’re well-versed in Vietnamese cuisine or just beginning to explore its sweets, this curated list will satisfy your curiosity and your sweet tooth.
Discover twenty-one traditional and modern Vietnamese desserts that showcase the country’s rich dessert culture and diverse flavors.
What is the Most Popular Dessert in Vietnam?
One of Vietnam’s most beloved desserts is chè, a broad category of sweet soups, puddings, and beverages made with ingredients like beans, tropical fruits, jellies, tapioca, and coconut milk. Chè appears across the country in countless variations, from corn and mung bean versions to coconut milk–based types, making it a refreshing and versatile treat, especially in warm weather.
Best Vietnamese Desserts
1. Egg Coffee
Source: siftandsimmer.com
Egg coffee is an iconic Vietnamese specialty made by whipping egg yolks with sugar and condensed milk until fluffy, then layering the mixture over intense Vietnamese coffee. The result is creamy, richly sweet, and utterly unique—enjoy it as a dessert drink or a decadent morning pick-me-up.
2. Corn Pudding (Chè Bắp)
Source: veggiedesserts.com
Chè bắp highlights sweet corn simmered with coconut milk and often tapioca pearls. Variations may use chia seeds for texture, producing a lightly sweet, comforting pudding that bridges savory and sweet flavors.
3. Baked Cassava Cake
Source: thehonestspoonful.com
Cassava cake uses grated cassava to create a moist, springy texture with a subtle nutty flavor. Often combined with coconut milk and a touch of sweetness, it’s a satisfying baked dessert popular across Vietnam.
4. Banana Tapioca Pudding (Chè Chuối)
Source: thegoodheartedwoman.com
Chè chuối blends ripe bananas, tapioca pearls, and coconut cream into a sweet, chewy pudding. Light yet flavorful, it’s a classic summer dessert that celebrates the natural sweetness of bananas.
5. Pandan Rice Pudding
Source: waitingforblancmange.com
Pandan rice pudding showcases the floral, slightly malty flavor of pandan leaves paired with creamy rice. Its delicate green hue and fragrant aroma make it an elegant dessert for warm days.
6. Avocado Shake (Sinh Tố Bơ)
Source: veggiedesserts.com
Sinh tố bơ is a thick, creamy milkshake made from ripe avocados, condensed milk, and ice. It’s sweeter than one might expect and delivers a rich, velvety texture in just minutes.
7. Mung Bean Dessert Soup (Chè Đậu Xanh)
Source: globalkitchentravels.com
Mung bean pudding turns a humble legume into a sweet, comforting soup. With a few simple ingredients, this dish becomes a smooth, nourishing dessert that highlights the Vietnamese talent for transforming savory staples into sweets.
8. Honeycomb Cake (Bánh Bò Nướng)
Source: globalkitchentravels.com
Made with tapioca starch, coconut cream, and pandan, this light, sponge-like cake is naturally gluten-free and delightfully airy. Its unique texture and subtle sweetness make it a favorite at celebrations and street stalls alike.
9. Pandan Mochi Waffle
Source: siftandsimmer.com
This fusion snack combines chewy mochi made from glutinous rice with fragrant pandan for a unique waffle-like treat often found at street vendors across Southeast Asia.
10. Tapioca Pudding
Source: thehonestspoonful.com
Chè chuối chung is a delightful combination of banana and tapioca in a sweet, soupy pudding. The chewy tapioca pearls provide a satisfying bite that complements the silky banana base.
11. Coconut Sticky Rice with Black-Eyed Beans
Source: livinglifeasmoms.com
This comforting dessert pairs creamy coconut-infused sticky rice with tender black-eyed beans. It’s simple, filling, and a common sweet comfort food in Vietnam.
12. Pandan Ice Cream
Source: keep-calm-and-eat-ice-cream.com
Pandan ice cream captures the leaf’s gentle, aromatic flavor and natural green color in a creamy frozen dessert—ideal for hot days and easy to make with a few ingredients and an ice cream maker.
13. Mini Sponge Cakes (Bánh Bông Lan)
Source: wenthere8this.com
Bánh bông lan are light, fluffy sponge cakes that are subtly sweet and perfect for gatherings. Their airy texture makes them an ideal finish to a meal without overpowering the palate.
14. Steamed Banana Cake (Bánh Chuối Hấp)
Source: delightfulplate.com
Bánh chuối hấp is a steamed banana cake that highlights ripe banana’s natural sweetness and moist texture. Soft, chewy, and intensely banana-forward, it’s an affordable and comforting treat.
15. Chè Thái
Source: jenhdao.com
Chè Thái, or fresh fruit pudding, combines seasonal fruits, fresh milk, and jellies like grass jelly or pandan jelly. Its vibrant colors and refreshing flavors make it especially popular with children and families.
16. Refreshing Iced Dessert Drink (Chè Sâm Bổ Lượng)
Source: vickypham.com
Chè sâm bổ lượng is an iced dessert drink filled with dried herbs, lotus seeds, longan, seaweed, and mung beans. Packed with varied textures and bold flavors, it’s often enjoyed for both taste and its reputed healthful qualities.
17. Steamed Layer Cake (Bánh Đa Lợn)
Source: npfamilyrecipes.com
Bánh da lợn features alternating layers of pandan-flavored cake and mung bean paste. The combination of soft steamed cake and smooth bean filling creates a harmonious texture and flavor contrast.
18. Coffee Tiramisu
Source: cooking-therapy.com
This Vietnamese twist on tiramisu uses robust Vietnamese drip coffee to soak the cake layers, adding a delicate, aromatic profile that pairs beautifully with creamy mascarpone.
19. Chè Ba Màu (Three-Color Dessert)
Source: jenhdao.com
Chè ba màu layers pandan jelly, sweet beans, and coconut custard to create a colorful, textural pudding. The combination of chewy jelly, earthy beans, and silky custard makes each spoonful interesting and balanced.
20. Bánh Flan (Vietnamese Crème Caramel)
Source: scruffandsteph.com
Bánh flan is a legacy of French influence in Vietnam: a smooth, chilled crème caramel with a caramelized top and silky custard beneath. It’s a refreshing, elegant dessert perfect for hot weather.
21. Avocado Mousse Ice Cream (Kem Bơ)
Source: delightfulplate.com
Kem bơ is a light avocado ice cream or mousse that highlights avocado’s earthy sweetness in a creamy frozen form. It’s a must-try for avocado lovers seeking a refreshing, flavorful dessert.
These twenty-one desserts offer a broad taste of Vietnam’s dessert traditions—from silky custards and refreshing iced treats to chewy puddings and fragrant pandan creations. Try a few to experience the range of textures and flavors that make Vietnamese sweets so memorable.
Have you tried Vietnamese desserts before, or is this your first introduction? Share your favorites and explore more recipes to continue your culinary journey.