Hanoi is famous for its wide range of traditional desserts, especially desserts made from beans such as: red bean, black bean, white bean, green bean, soya, lotus bean… In Vietnam, Coffee’s also considered a dessert drink. You will usually get invitations for a coffee after breakfast or lunch, but not dinner causes sleepless issues.

Coffee (Ca Phe)

• Traditional Coffee – Phin Coffee: Phin coffee is a popular coffee brewing method in Vietnam. It involves using a small metal filter called a phin, which sits on top of a cup or glass. The ground coffee is added to the phin, and hot water is poured over it. The coffee drips slowly into the cup, resulting in a strong and flavorful brew. Phin coffee is often enjoyed with condensed milk, which adds a sweet and creamy flavour. It is a staple of Vietnamese coffee culture and can be found in most cafes and restaurants in the country. You can find it at some famous Vietnam Brand Coffee Shop around your place in Old Quarter such as: Aha Coffee, Cộng Cà Phê, Laika Coffee, La Viet Coffee, Kafa

• Egg coffee:Egg coffee (Cà Phê Trứng) is one of Vietnam’s most unique and beloved coffee creations. Originating in Hanoi in the 1940s, this creamy, velvety drink was invented as a substitute for milk, which was scarce at the time. The rich, frothy topping is made by whipping egg yolks with sugar and condensed milk, creating a smooth, custard-like layer that perfectly complements the strong Vietnamese coffee beneath.The result? A decadent, dessert-like coffee experience that blends bold flavors with silky sweetness. Whether served hot or iced, egg coffee is a must-try for visitors looking to explore Vietnam’s rich coffee culture.
  • Giang Coffee – 39 Alley Nguyen Huu Huan Street ( VND 35,000)
    Established in 1946, Giảng Coffee is the legendary birthplace of Vietnam’s famous egg coffee (cà phê trứng). The coffee here is quite strong, just the way old people in Hanoi like it.
  • Vi Anh Coffee – Address: 37B Nguyen Huu Huan Street  (VND 35,000)
    This place is near Giang Coffee and has opened since 2022. The egg coffee here perfectly balances acidity and bitterness, offering a smooth and aromatic taste; egg cream is 100% the same as Giảng Egg Coffee, the legendary. It’s easier to drink than Giang Coffee, and the café has a more spacious and airy atmosphere
  • Dinh Coffee: 13 Dinh Tien Hoang Street (VND 25,000)
    Tucked away in a small alley near Hoan Kiem Lake, Đinh Coffee is a must-visit spot for those seeking an authentic taste of Hanoi’s iconic egg coffee. The café on the second floor of an old French colonial building, Đinh Coffee stays true to its roots with a rich, creamy, and perfectly balanced egg coffee recipe.

• Modern coffee: Variations include yoghurt, bean base, and even fruit or milk extracted from coconut.Vietnamese coffee has developed a style of its own: Yogurt coffee, Green bean milk coffee, salt cream coffee, and coconut milk coffee. You can try it at Cộng Cà Phê shops, Kafa Cafe…

Sweet treats (chè)

The sweet desserts of Vietnamese people are often made of many types of nuts, peas, beans, coconut milk, flour, etc. The treats can be served both hot and cold depending on the season of Hanoi. The most famous ones:

• Che Buoi (Pammelo sweet treat – cold serve only) – made from the cover of the fruit(~VND 20,000)
• Che Do Den (Black Bean sweet treat – hot/cold serve)  – a popular choice in every place in Vietnam t(~VND 20,000)
• Suong Sa Hat Luu (Jelly sweet treat – cold serve) – colourful and lovely flavour – loved by the younger generation (~VND 20,000).

You can find it at: around VND20,000 – VND25,000

• Che 4 mua (4 seasons):  4 Hang Can street
• Loc Tai (this is a very unique ancient house): 76 Hang Dieu street
• Xoi Che Ba Thin: 1 Bat Dan street

Caramel pudding and coconut ice cream

There are about three or four shops selling homemade caramel pudding and yoghurt near the corner of Hang Than and Hoe Nhai. Takeout is easier, but if you don’t mind a bit of squeezing, you are welcome to sit down. The owners masterfully mix yoghurt and caramel pudding with fruits, nep cam (violet glutinous rice), and yummy jelly. In the same store, you can find a huge portion of ice creams served in a fresh coconut.

You can find it at:  Caramel pudding: VND 7,000/dish, Coconut ice-cream: VND 60,000

• Duong Hoa: 29 Hang Than street
• Minci Pudding: 5 Nguyen Truong To street

Tao Pho (Sweet Tofu)

Tao Pho is a white, condensed pudding served as a sweet syrup dessert. Very popular with women, this is a good snack on a hot summer day. In northern Vietnam, Tao Pho sellers often ride bicycles with a barrel of Tao Pho behind them.  The vendor uses a flat spoon to ladle thin layers of Tao pho into a bowl before adding syrup and real flower fragrance

You can find it at: On Old quarter street t(~VND 10,000) or 41 Dao Duy Tu Street (will be just a bit more expensive only)

Mixture Yogurt with Jack Fruit

The dessert is quite famous youngster of Hanoi. This dessert is not only delicious but also really good for your skin. The combination of these ingredients will create a fantastic song when chewing.

You can find it at 22 Ba Trieu Street, which is the first shop since 2014. Now, next to them, a lot of the same shops are open with the same quality t(~VND 25,000).