There are millions of ways to enjoy the cool, sweet taste of summer in Vietnam, so here are some of our favorites.
Che
The
sweet, slippery soup is one of the most iconic Vietnamese desserts. There are
dozens of versions, ranging from a simple glass of just lotus seeds to a
rainbow of beans, roots, cassava and jelly cubes.
Bowls of che with cassava balls, jelly and coconut milk.
Crowded
che stands can be found in most big markets across the country, including Nam
Dong in Hanoi and Ben Thanh in Ho Chi Minh City. For something different,
tourists can try the one served at the Cambodian market in the southern city.
The shop is owned by a Vietnamese man who grew up in Cambodia but returned in
the 1970s, serving the best of both Cambodian and Vietamese desserts.
A
serving usually costs $1 or less.
Ice-cream in a
coconut shell
One
scoop of ice-cream for the summer, or two? Well, it might be easier if you just
have it all in a coconut.
Ice-cream in a coconut shell.
Kem dua is a special Vietnamese version of
ice-cream served in a coconut shell topped with coconut strips, peanuts and
chocolate sauce. The best way to eat it is to dig the spoon deep and take a
full bite with some coconut flesh as well.
A
popular place for the ice-cream in Hanoi is Hang Than Street, while Pasteur is
possibly one of the best spots to try the dessert in HCM City. Prepare around
$3.
Caramel flan
Caramel flan served with cassava balls.
The
soft pudding made from milk and egg has many siblings in Vietnam, such as the versions
made with coffee, green tea powder or jelly. The popular dessert can be ordered
from many restaurants in Vietnam for just $1.
Tofu pudding
Tofu pudding.
This
is more of a street food dessert, although several restaurants have added new
versions to their menus with extra jelly and fruit.
Tofu
pudding is available at many markets in Hanoi such as Nghia Tan, Thanh Cong and
Dong Xuan. In Ho Chi Minh City, it is carried around on vendors' shoulders as
they patrol the sidewalks.
Yoghurt with sticky
rice
Yoghurt with black sticky rice.
Yoghurt
with black sticky rice is considered among the healthier desserts compared with
the guilty pleasure of three scoops of ice-cream, for example. It’s a favorite
snack in Hanoi and has only become popular in Ho Chi Minh City in recent years.
Fruit mix
One
way to celebrate the tropical summer is with one of the best things it offers:
fruit.
Bowls of mixed fruit.
A
plate of mango, papaya, dragon fruit, jackfruit and longan is a popular choice
that serves all tastes. It also follows doctors’ orders perfectly: five pieces
of fruit a day.
Each
plate is usually served with syrup, condensed milk and crushed ice for around
$1.
By VnExpress