What Vietnamese Sweets & Treats to Try and Bring Home as Gifts?

In the journey of cultural exchange, food always acts as a subtle bridge, bringing people closer together. Giving sweets and treats is a sweet gesture that holds a magical power of connection.

Each sweet or treat opens a door to the distinctive flavors of different regions, filled with long-standing historical and traditional stories. Let's explore these delicious Vietnamese sweets and treats that you can try and gift to your friends and family back home.

9 Vietnamese Sweets and Treats to Try and Bring Home

1. Vietnamese Chocolate

Vietnamese chocolate, with its premium and unique flavor, is a top choice for those looking to bring home a special gift from Vietnam.

The aromatic cocoa beans from the tropical lands go through a handcrafted chocolate-making process using foreign techniques. Each bar of Vietnamese chocolate is a fantastic gift that you can confidently give to anyone.

Vietnamese chocolate, a wonderful gift for your friends and family back home (Photo: SOU. | CHUS)

2. Bánh Pía (Pía Cakes)

When it comes to traditional Vietnamese gifts, bánh pía is a must-try. This snack not only tastes great but also carries the rich flavor and culture of the Mekong Delta in Vietnam.

With its thin, multi-layered, lightly crispy crust combined with a filling of mung bean, durian, or salted egg, bánh pía will surely surprise and delight the recipient. Don't forget this simple yet flavorful Mekong Delta treat when choosing sweets to bring home!

Fresh homemade bánh pía, ideal for gifting (Photo: Quê Homemade | CHUS)

3. Freeze-Dried Yogurt

Looking for a unique and meaningful Vietnamese specialty to gift your friends and family? Freeze-dried yogurt is the perfect suggestion!

Made from fresh yogurt through modern freeze-drying technology, this process completely removes water while retaining the flavor, color, nutrition, and beneficial probiotics for health.

Each sweet and tangy yogurt bite is not only a delicious snack but also good for digestion. Particularly, freeze-dried yogurt in Vietnam is reasonably priced yet high quality, making it an excellent choice for everyone to try.

4. Crispy Dried Coconut

Waxed coconut, or macapuno coconut, is a special type of coconut only grown in a few regions with suitable soil conditions. To bring macapuno coconut further, Vicosap has introduced crispy dried macapuno coconut with a naturally sweet coco aroma and a deliciously crunchy texture.

This is a quintessential Vietnamese gift to bring back, rich in traditional flavor. Made from 100% fresh macapuno coconut, dried using modern technology to retain the delicious, buttery, and unique flavor along with abundant nutrients.

Crispy dried macapuno coconut, delicious and crunchy (Photo: Vicosap | CHUS)

5. Traditional Huế Pull Candy

Pull candy, also known as Vietnamese sugar stick candy or Vietnamese pulling candy, is a simple Vietnamese sweet that carries the soul of the countryside, not only being a beloved snack but also a unique cultural feature

The mild sweetness of the sugar, the rich flavor of the peanuts, and the chewy texture of the candy create an irresistible charm that everyone loves. Thus, this childhood candy is definitely a culinary gift worth considering to bring back home!

Sweet pull candy in a cute jar for sweet tooth (Photo: Mộc Truly Huế | CHUS)

6. Kẹo Dừa (Coconut Candy)

Kẹo Dừa (literally Coconut candy) has long been an indispensable part of Vietnamese culinary culture. The rich taste of coconut combined with the mild sweetness easily creates an irresistible appeal to anyone.

More than just an ordinary candy, coconut candy is also a meaningful Vietnamese specialty gift, full of identity to give to loved ones and friends back home.

7. Dried Huế Pressed Pancakes

Besides famous specialties like Huế beef noodle soup, mussel rice, lemongrass skewers, etc., Huế also captivates tourists with its simple yet rich snack - dried Huế pressed pancakes

Dried Huế pancakes have a crispy texture and the distinctive salty flavor of Huế. If you can't visit Huế to enjoy freshly made hot pressed pancakes, you can buy ready-made dried pancakes as a gift. Vacuum-sealed to retain the flavor and preserve for a long time, they can satisfy anyone's taste

This promises to be a nice savory treat from Vienam, giving your friends and family a broader view of the colorful Vietnamese cuisine.

Flavorful dried Huế pressed pancakes (Photo: Mộc Truly Huế | CHUS)

8. Lavender Cookies

Familiar cookies, originating from abroad, but now made with Vietnamese ingredients by Vietnamese people? Lavender cookies bring an irresistible delicious taste and are a sweet treat you can send to your friends and family for an aromatic sweet party.

The light sweetness of the cookie dough combined with the delicate and elegant lavender scent creates a unique and unforgettable taste experience. Enjoying lavender cookies with a hot cup of tea, you will feel the peace in your soul and the refined beauty of Vietnamese culture.

9. Baked Coconut Cookies

Sweets are a must when introducing Vietnamese cuisine to your friends and family back home. Among numerous choices, baked coconut cookies stands out with its traditional flavor that captivates the taste buds of diners from all over the world.

Made from authentic Quang Nam recipes, ensuring quality and safety for health. Each crispy, sweet, and fragrant baked coconut cookie from Vietnam can conquer any sweet tooth!

Baked coconut cookie is a tasty and crunchy Central Vietnam specialty (Photo: GUfoods | CHUS)

A Few Tips When Buying Sweets and Treats to Bring Home

Some people might be allergic to common ingredients in sweets and treats like nuts, milk, gluten, peanuts, etc. Therefore, you need to carefully check the ingredient information before purchasing to avoid affecting the recipient's health.

1. Allergies:

Some people might be allergic to common ingredients in sweets and treats like nuts, milk, gluten, peanuts, etc. Therefore, you need to carefully check the ingredient information before purchasing to avoid affecting the recipient's health.

2. Bringing on Planes:

If you plan to bring sweets and treats on a plane or send them by mail, choose carefully packed items to avoid damage during transportation. Opt for boxes with suitable sizes that can be neatly arranged to save space.

3. Expiry Date:

When choosing food gifts for friends and family, prioritize sweets and treats made from natural ingredients, without harmful preservatives or colorants.

Check the expiry date before buying and gifting. Avoid giving items that are too close to their expiration date, and be mindful of fresh or preservative-free treats with a short shelf life.

4. Cultural Promotion:

When giving sweets and treats, you can introduce a brief overview of Vietnamese culinary culture, the origin, and the meaning of the item. This will help the recipient better understand the source of the treat and Vietnamese culture. For example, you can share about the long history of mung bean cake, the significance of sweets during the Lunar New Year, etc.

Conclusion

Sweets and treats are not just a snack or a gift but also a cultural bridge, reflecting the thoughtfulness and sophistication of the giver. Choosing suitable sweets and treats for friends and family not only shows care but also provides an opportunity to introduce the unique culinary beauty of Vietnam.

You can find and purchase these Vietnamese specialties on Chus to enjoy and gift to your friends and family back home.