There is no doubt to say: There is something irresistibly delightful about desserts. From refreshing iced desserts to warm baked goodies, every bite is a moment of pure bliss. Whether you're a dessert connoisseur, an aspiring baker, or simply someone who appreciates the sweeter things in life, Vietnamese desserts would satisfy your cravings. So, grab your favourite dessert, sit back, and get ready to delve into the enticing world of Vietnamese desserts.

Chè

Vietnamese Chè includes any traditional sweet soup, beverage, pudding or any other custard-like dessert. Chè can be made with a base of either water or coconut cream and served either hot or cold. Various jellies and fruits, beans and pulses, rice and grains, and even tubers and cereals are added to make Chè flavourful.

Three Colour Dessert (Chè ba màu), Sticky Rice Balls in Ginger Syrup (Chè trôi nước), Vietnamese Fruit Cocktail (Chè Thái), Pomelo Sweet Soup (Chè bưởi), Banana Coconut Tapioca Pudding (Chè chuối), Lotus Seeds and Green Rice Flakes Sweet Soup (Chè hạt sen), Vietnamese Taro Pudding (Chè khoai môn),... are common Chè that being favoured by Vietnamese people.

Coconut jelly (Rau câu)

Rau câu is a Vietnamese jelly cake made with agar (gelatinous seaweed), coconut milk, condensed milk, and flavourings such as coconut, banana, chocolate, mocha, and vanilla. The dessert is on shelves in numerous Chè stores, supermarkets and it is easy to make at home. Rau câu provides a great alternative for vegetarians who prefer not to consume animal gelatin.

Vietnamese Grilled Banana (Chuối nếp nướng)

CNN Food included this dish of Vietnam in their 9 best desserts from around the world. Grilled Bananas from South Vietnam are made from the most familiar fruits in Vietnam. From this kind of yellowish fruit, Vietnamese people have created many dishes, and desserts in many ways. Grilled bananas have a rustic sweet, savoury taste but cling to the taste of diners.

Made of banana, coconut milk and wrapped in sticky rice, put it on a banana leaf as a “blanket of fragrance”, then grilled over embers. Grilled banana turns out to be crispy, smokey and fragrant. Cut it to a bite size, add a bit of sweetened, creamy coconut milk and crush roasted peanuts to complete the yums. This banana dessert is a must-try treat and you can easily find it from street vendors. The “old but gold” dish will surely leave a nice footprint in visitors’ memories and a good reminder about a charming Vietnam.

Mung Bean Cake (Bánh đậu xanh)

This traditional Vietnamese dessert originated in Hai Duong Province. It combines mung beans, vegetable oil or pork fat, sugar, and flavourings to create a cake with a fudge-like consistency and a smooth texture. Mung Bean Cake is recommended to enjoy with a cup of hot green tea, it creates a simple but perfect combination.

Peanut sweets (Kẹo lạc)

This sweet treat has its flowing, caramelised yellow colour, smells like peanuts and malt, it has a sweet taste combined with rich, nutty roasted peanuts and sesame. This specialty can easily be found and bought at markets and grocery stores as gifts for family and friends.

Pandan rice cake (Bánh đúc lá dứa)

This dessert is made from rice flour, pandan leaves, sugar, and coconut cream. The cake has a soft and chewy texture, with a subtle fragrance and sweetness from the pandan leaves and coconut cream. It is usually served with roasted peanuts, shredded coconut, or sesame seeds. Pandan rice cake is a beloved dessert in Vietnam, and is often enjoyed as a snack or dessert to a meal.

Tofu pudding (Tào phớ)

Tofu pudding is among the most common Vietnamese desserts. It has a silky smooth texture and a delicate, refreshing taste. A traditional bowl of tofu pudding consists of soybeans, jasmine sugar syrup, and ice. Nowadays, the locals often add more toppings such as grass jelly, tapioca pearls, shredded coconut, and dried coconut to enhance its taste. The combination of the soybeans' unique flavour, the sugar syrup's sweetness, the jasmine flower's gentle aroma, and the ice's coolness creates a refreshing summer dish that will please everyone's palate. During winter, hot tofu pudding is sold in every corner of Ha Noi streets. Put fresh ginger, brown sugar syrup and enjoy.

Honeycomb cake (Bánh bò)

Honeycomb cake is a popular dessert made from rice flour, sugar, water, and yeast. The cake has a unique honeycomb structure that is created by the yeast used in the recipe. The cake is often steamed, which gives it a soft and fluffy texture, and can be flavoured with ingredients like pandan or coconut. The cake is commonly found in the Mekong Delta region, and is often enjoyed as a sweet snack or dessert. It is also a popular food at festivals and celebrations.

Steamed Tapioca Layer Cake (Bánh da lợn)

This traditional Vietnamese dessert consists of chewy layers that are typically made with puréed mung beans, tapioca starch, rice flour, and coconut milk or water. Talented chefs of Vietnam have put their skillful hands to create colourful layers to the cake, making it into a beautiful crystal gem to foodie’s eyes. Each cake has a pale yellow layer made with mung beans and a green layer that is flavoured and coloured with pandan leaves, while optional ingredients include durian or taro.

From a single bite to a full-fledged sugar rush, we'll explore the irresistible allure of desserts that never fail to bring a smile to our faces and a taste of pure happiness. Life is uncertain. Eat dessert first. Get your sweet tooth ready, for this journey is bound to leave you craving more.