Vietnam’s Best Fruit Desserts and How to Make Them

Vietnam is renowned for its vibrant culinary scene, especially when it comes to desserts made from fresh, tropical fruits. The country boasts an array of mouthwatering fruit desserts that not only tantalize the taste buds but are also visually stunning. In this article, we will explore Vietnam’s best fruit desserts and provide simple recipes to recreate them at home.

1. Che Thai

Che Thai is a traditional Vietnamese dessert that highlights various fruits, combined with coconut milk and tapioca pearls. The vibrant medley typically includes jackfruit, longan, and mango, making it a colorful and refreshing dish.

Ingredients:
- 1 cup of diced jackfruit
- 1 cup of diced mango
- 1 cup of sweet longan
- 1 cup of cooked tapioca pearls
- 1 can of coconut milk
- Sugar to taste
- Ice (optional)

Instructions:
1. In a large bowl, mix the diced jackfruit, mango, and longan.
2. Add the cooked tapioca pearls and stir gently.
3. In a separate bowl, combine coconut milk with sugar until dissolved.
4. Serve the fruit mixture in bowls, drizzling the sweet coconut milk on top. Add ice for a chilled version.

2. Sinh To Trai Cay (Fruit Smoothie)

Vietnamese fruit smoothies, or Sinh To Trai Cay, are popular for breakfast or as a refreshing snack. They are often made with a combination of tropical fruits blended with yogurt or milk.

Ingredients:
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 cup of diced papaya
- 1 cup of diced pineapple
- 1 cup of yogurt (or coconut milk)
- 2 tablespoons of honey
- Ice cubes

Instructions:
1. Place the banana, papaya, pineapple, yogurt, honey, and ice cubes into a blender.
2. Blend until smooth and creamy.
3. Pour into glasses and enjoy immediately, garnished with a slice of fruit if desired.

3. Xoi Dua (Coconut Sticky Rice with Mango)

Xoi Dua is a delicious dessert made with sticky rice flavored with coconut milk, and typically paired with ripe mango. This sweet treat is often enjoyed during special occasions in Vietnam.

Ingredients:
- 2 cups of glutinous rice
- 1 can of coconut milk
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1 tsp of salt
- 2 ripe mangoes, sliced

Instructions:
1. Soak the glutinous rice in water for at least 4 hours, then drain.
2. Steam the rice for about 30 minutes until cooked.
3. In a saucepan, mix coconut milk, sugar, and salt. Heat until sugar is dissolved.
4. Combine the cooked sticky rice with half of the coconut mixture. Serve the rice in a bowl, topped with sliced mango and drizzled with remaining coconut milk.

4. Banh Chuoi Nuong (Vietnamese Banana Cake)

Banh Chuoi Nuong is a delicious baked banana cake that combines the flavors of ripe bananas with coconut and sometimes with hints of vanilla. It’s a rich dessert that appeals to banana lovers.

Ingredients:
- 6 ripe bananas
- 1 cup of coconut milk
- 1/2 cup of sugar
- 1 cup of all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp of baking powder
- 1/2 tsp of salt

Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mash the ripe bananas and mix with coconut milk, sugar, eggs, baking powder, salt, and flour.
3. Pour the mixture into a greased baking dish.
4. Bake for about 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let it cool before slicing.

5. Fruit Salad with Coconut Cream (Salad Trai Cay)

This refreshing fruit salad is a