5 Heavenly Vietnamese Candies You Never Thought to Try

When it comes to top Asian destinations for tourists to visit this summer, Vietnam indeed stands out. This country perfectly represents the history and culture of Southeast Asia, which is very diverse and a topic of interest for many. The food here is what fascinates most foreigners. Among traditional foods, Vietnamese candies have a special place. 

People who’ve traveled to Vietnam often say that exploring local sweets is a whole new kind of adventure. Here you will definitely come across a candy that you never thought even existed, not to mention that tasting is an experience of its own. Believe it or not, you might even find the tastes that could possibly alter your taste buds when it comes to sweet snacks. 

In this article, we will talk about 5 of the Vietnamese candies that will absolutely leave you surprised.

1. Malt Candy (Kẹo Mạch Nha)

Malt candy has become even more famous these days than it used to be in Vietnam, and it is a favorite snack for a lot of candy lovers. This odd type of treat is quite enjoyable, specifically in cold weather, to warm up a little bit. As a result, locals carry this candy everywhere they go, whether it’s at a casual gathering with friends or in public transportation while placing bets on online betting platforms like Melbet.

The flavor of malt candy is very similar to caramel. If you’ve ever tasted national German sweets, they might as well remind you of the German Werther’s Original, though, unlike this treat, there is no actual caramel in malt candy. The main ingredients include malt, sugar, and water. To enhance the flavor, manufacturers often use honey, ginger, and several specific herbs or spices.

2. Coconut Candy (Kẹo Dừa)

One thing is for sure: you either adore coconut candy or hate it completely. But somehow, Kẹo Dừa still manages to find its way into nearly every souvenir bag from Vietnam. This particular coconut candy significantly differs from regular coconut sweets like Coconut Grove Candy Bar, and it easily becomes addictive.

The texture of Vietnamese coconut candy is very soft, chewy, and slightly sticky. It is made with coconut milk, malt syrup, sugar, and rice flour, which determines the special texture of the product. The candy originates from the Mekong Delta region, specifically Ben Tre province, where it is still actively produced.

3. Peanut Candy (Kẹo Đậu Phộng)

For those who enjoy peanuts and their salty flavor in sweets, Vietnamese peanut candy is the number one choice. In general, not everyone is able to enjoy candy with nuts and appreciate how its saltiness neutralizes the sweetness. However, if that is not your case, you should definitely try to explore peanut candy that comes from Vietnam.

Vietnamese peanut candy consists of roasted peanuts and caramelized sugar and is thought to be one of the best in the whole country. It is very popular not just in Vietnam but in a lot of other Asian countries as well. The crunchy texture and sweet taste just make sweet treat lovers obsessed with this candy. 

4. Pulling Candy (Kẹo Kéo)

Pulling candy might be one of the most fun and a bit weird snacks to eat. Sometimes people even challenge each other to see who can make the biggest pull. Typically, it is made by hand and only requires two ingredients: sugar and peanuts. 

The technique of making this candy is very specific. During processing, you have to drag and drop sugar many times so it turns into a creamy texture and milk-like color. Overall, the candy is sticky, chewy, and balanced with sweet and salty flavors from sugar and peanuts.

5. Powder Candy (Kẹo bột)

Powder candy belongs to a few candies that are made from plants. As it is made with sugarcane, it is very common in areas where sugarcane grows, like Binh Dinh, Quang Ngai, and Quang Nam.

The candy is specially handmade. To prevent the stickiness, it can be dipped in rice or sugar powder, and unlike other Vietnamese sweets, it is black or brown. For the flavor, ginger is often added. In this case, with sweetness, you can also feel a little bit of spice, which surprisingly goes very well together.

Bottom Line

Treats from foreign countries may astonish you in ways you never expected. Vietnam, with its magical candy treats, is quite something to explore. Who knows, maybe you will find your new favorite sweet snack. 

Vietnamese candy, because of its distinctiveness and incredible flavors, is admired by everyone with a sweet tooth. If you ever visit this country, you should definitely try local candy, and after reading this article, hopefully, you know where to start!