If you think “cake” only means something baked and frosted, Vietnamese cakes will surprise you! Some are steamed, some grilled, some made with rice flour or cassava — and all of them are irresistibly good.
Whether you love something soft and chewy or crisp and buttery, these 20 Vietnamese cakes will take you on a sweet journey from North to South.
What’s Inside
- What Makes Vietnamese Cakes (Bánh) So Special
- Types of Cakes
- Regional Highlights
- 1. Bánh Da Lợn
- 2. Bánh Chuối Hấp
- 3. Bánh Chuối Nướng
- 4. Bánh Bò Nướng
- 5. Bánh Bò Nướng Đường Thốt Nốt
- 6. Bánh Bò Hấp
- 7. Bánh Khoai Mì Nướng
- 8. Bánh Đậu Xanh Nướng
- 9. Bánh Kẹp Lá Dứa
- 10. Bánh Tráng Nướng
- 11. Bánh Hot Dog
- 12. Bánh Bông Lan Lá Dứa
- 13. Bánh Bông Lan
- 14. Bánh Mì
- 15. Bánh Pía
- 16. Bánh Trung Thu
- 17. Bánh Gan
- 18. Bánh Đúc Gân
- 19. Bánh Bà Lai
- 20. Bánh Tằm
What Makes Vietnamese Cakes (Bánh) So Special
In Vietnam, “cake” (bánh) doesn’t always mean something baked or sugary. The word bánh can refer to anything made from flour — sweet or savory, steamed, fried, or baked.
Most Vietnamese cakes use humble, everyday ingredients — rice flour, coconut milk, tapioca starch, taro or pandan leaves — yet they’re crafted with so much care and labor.
✨ Fun fact: Most Vietnamese cakes are naturally gluten-free! Traditional Vietnamese cooking is centered on rice, and wheat-based desserts only became common during the French colonial period.
Types of Cakes
Bánh come in many forms — steamed, baked, or wrapped in banana leaves.
Steamed Cakes (Bánh Hấp) – Soft, fragrant, and often wrapped in banana leaves.
Baked Cakes (Bánh Nướng) – Golden, aromatic, and perfect with tea.
Sticky Rice & Festive Cakes – The heart of Vietnamese celebrations, from Banh Chung and Banh Tet for Lunar New Year to Banh Phu The for weddings.
Savory Cakes – From the crispy Banh Xeo pancake to the delicate steamed Banh Cuon rolls and the iconic Banh Mi sandwich, these savory creations show just how versatile Vietnamese “cakes” can be.
Western Influence – Since the French era, wheat flour and baking have blended with local flavors, creating many favorites like Banh Flan, Banh Pate So and Banh Bong Lan Trung Muoi.
Regional Highlights
North: Subtle and elegant — Banh Com, Banh Gai, Banh Gio
Central: Intricate, and often savory bite-sized cakes — Banh Nam, Banh Beo, Banh Hoi, Banh Bot Loc
South: Sweet, rich, and coconutty or Chinese-influenced — Banh Bo, Banh Da Lon, Banh Bot Chien
1. Bánh Da Lợn
A beloved steamed layer cake from the Mekong Delta, Banh Da Lon is made with tapioca starch, coconut milk, pandan leaves and mung bean.
Each colorful layer is steamed one by one, creating a chewy, fragrant cake that’s as fun to eat as it is beautiful.
2. Bánh Chuối Hấp
Another sweet treat from the Mekong Delta, Banh Chuoi Hap combines ripe bananas, tapioca, and coconut milk. It’s simple to make, but every bite is comforting, fragrant, and sure to impress.
3. Bánh Chuối Nướng
Banh Chuoi Nuong is a baked banana cake that’s rich, sweet, and fragrant with coconut milk. Traditionally, it’s a clever way for Vietnamese cooks to transform slightly stale bread into a comforting, delicious dessert.
4. Bánh Bò Nướng
This baked pandan honeycomb cake is soft, slightly chewy, and infused with the fragrant flavor of pandan and coconut milk. Its signature honeycomb texture makes every bite playful, fun, and utterly satisfying.
5. Bánh Bò Nướng Đường Thốt Nốt
This Vietnamese honeycomb cake, gets its rich, deep sweetness and beautiful golden color from palm sugar (đường thốt nốt), making it as visually stunning as it is delicious.
6. Bánh Bò Hấp
Soft, airy, and bouncy, Banh Bo Hap is a steamed honeycomb rice cake that’s naturally vegan and gluten-free. Lightly sweetened with coconut milk and slightly chewy, it’s the perfect delicate dessert or snack.
7. Bánh Khoai Mì Nướng
This cassava cake is creamy inside with a lightly crisp, golden crust. Made with grated cassava, coconut milk, and condensed milk, it’s comfort food at its best.
8. Bánh Đậu Xanh Nướng
Vietnamese mung bean cake is smooth, mildly sweet, and fragrant. Perfect for enjoying with tea.
9. Bánh Kẹp Lá Dứa
This pandan waffle is crisp, aromatic, subtly sweet, and full of coconut flavor. It’s a fun, easy snack to enjoy anytime — and the version banana waffle is just as deliciously surprising.
10. Bánh Tráng Nướng
Often called Vietnamese pizza, Bánh Tráng Nướng is a crispy grilled rice paper topped with eggs, dried shrimp, pork floss, and scallions. Savory, smoky, and addictive!
11. Bánh Hot Dog
Vietnamese Hot Dog isn’t a typical sausage bun — it’s actually a triangle-shaped cake with a soft, pancake-like texture, filled with either savory or sweet ingredients.
Simple to make and delicious to eat, it’s a fun snack that never disappoints.
12. Bánh Bông Lan Lá Dứa
Pandan Chiffon Cake (Banh Bong Lan La Dua) is light, fluffy, and fragrant, with just a hint of sweetness. It’s a beloved treat, perfect for breakfast or afternoon tea.
Other variations, like ube chiffon or matcha chiffon, are just as delicious and full of flavor.
13. Bánh Bông Lan
Classic Vietnamese sponge cake (Banh Bong Lan) — light, airy, and gently sweet, reminiscent of a delicate Asian chiffon cake. It’s perfect on its own or layered with whipped cream and fresh fruit for an extra treat.
14. Bánh Mì
Vietnam’s iconic Banh Mi is crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, packed with flavorful fillings like Cha Lua (pork roll), Thit Nuong (grilled pork), crispy pork belly, Do Chua (pickled carrots & daikon), and fresh herbs.
Together with Banh Bao, it’s the ultimate savory bánh experience.
15. Bánh Pía
A Southern favorite from Vietnam’s Teochew community, Banh Pia is a flaky pastry stuffed with mung bean paste, salted egg yolk, durian, or taro.
Sweet, fragrant, and satisfying, it’s a must-try snack and a tasty Vietnamese souvenir to bring home.
16. Bánh Trung Thu
Banh Trung Thu, or Vietnamese mooncakes, are enjoyed during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Traditionally filled with mung bean paste, lotus seed paste, or a sweet-savory mix with salted egg yolk, these festive cakes are rich in symbolism and perfect for sharing with family and friends.
17. Bánh Gan
Banh Gan is another dessert from the Mekong Delta, similar to classic flan but made with duck eggs and coconut milk.
Its dark color, from cacao powder and the fragrant touch of star anise, gives it a look reminiscent of liver (gan in Vietnamese). Creamy, rich, and full of flavor, it’s a truly indulgent treat.
18. Bánh Đúc Gân
Banh Duc Gan is a traditional cake from the Mekong Delta, made with rice flour, pandan, and sometimes a bit of tapioca for extra chew.
Its slightly firm, bouncy texture and layered, “veined” appearance — gân means “tendon” or “vein” in Vietnamese — make it visually unique. Banh Duc Gan’s often served with a drizzle of sweet coconut sauce and brown sugar syrup.
19. Bánh Bà Lai
Banh Ba Lai is a specialty from Phan Thiết in Vietnam’s South Central region.
A steamed cake similar to Bánh Da Lợn, it features just three layers, each with its own flavor: mung bean, pandan, and cacao. Simple yet flavorful, Bánh Ba Lai truly deserves more recognition.
20. Bánh Tằm
A Southern Vietnamese specialty, Banh Tam features thick, chewy cassava “noodles” served with sweet coconut milk, shredded coconut, and sometimes sprinkled with sesame seeds or crushed peanuts.
Soft, fragrant, and slightly chewy, it’s a refreshing and addictive dessert that captures the flavors of the Mekong Delta.
Bánh are a delightful blend of tradition, flavor, and creativity. From soft steamed treats to rich baked desserts and savory snacks like Bánh Mì, each cake reflects Vietnam’s unique culinary heritage.
You can try making them at home with my recipes — and don’t miss the chance to taste them fresh when you visit Vietnam!
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