Sinh tố
Tropical fruit blended with ice and condensed milk — avocado is the cult favourite.
Fresh tropical fruit blended with ice and a little sweetened condensed milk into a thick, cooling drink. Mango, soursop, and passionfruit are all excellent, but the one to try is sinh tố bơ — avocado, blended sweet, which Vietnam treats as a fruit for dessert and does better than anywhere.
How to eat it well
- Order sinh tố bơ (avocado) at least once — it is a revelation if you have only had avocado savoury.
- Ask for less condensed milk if you want the fruit to lead.
- A "nước ép" is the juiced (not blended) version if you want something lighter.
Where it’s best
Markets and juice carts nationwide; the southern fruit belt does the best mango and soursop.
Vegetarian; ask to skip condensed milk (or use none) to keep it vegan.
Make it at home
EasyA blender and ripe fruit is genuinely all it takes.
- 1Blend a cup of ripe fruit (half a ripe avocado, or mango/soursop) with a handful of ice.
- 2Add 1–2 tbsp sweetened condensed milk — less for sweeter fruit.
- 3Splash in a little milk or water to loosen if needed; blend until thick and smooth.
- 4Taste and adjust sweetness. For avocado, keep it cold and serve immediately.
Eat next
Dark robusta dripped over sweetened condensed milk, poured over ice. The national fuel.
Nước míaSugarcane juiceCane pressed to order through a clattering roller — the perfect antidote to the heat.
Cà phê trứngEgg coffeeA Hanoi invention: coffee under a whipped, custard-like meringue of egg yolk and condensed milk.