The Sweetness of Huế in Every Little Candy

Kẹo cau: the clear, gentle candy of childhood

You can't talk about Huế candies without mentioning kẹo cau – a tiny, pure-white candy that melts slowly in the mouth with a gentle sweetness and a faint hint of ginger. It is called “cau” (areca) because it is shaped like a quartered slice of areca nut, just the right size for a child's palm. One bite takes you straight back to childhood: the jingle of the pulled-candy cart and walking home from school in the golden afternoon sun.

Spicy Huế ginger candy that warms hearts far from home

Huế ginger candy is as unpretentious as the people here: gently spicy on the tongue, sweet in the aftertaste, with a warmth that spreads through you. The neat square candies are fragrant with fresh ginger and handmade from simple ingredients. Every nibble makes you gasp a little at the heat, then leaves you feeling calmer, wrapped in a flavour that is honest and deep.

The essence of Huế in every bite of mè xửng sesame candy

Mè xửng is Huế's best-known specialty candy, loved by visitors and a favourite gift to take home. It comes in two kinds: a soft, chewy version fragrant with roasted peanuts and white sesame, and a crunchy version so fun to eat you won't want to stop. A layer of delicately sweet malt syrup wraps around the rich, nutty filling, and each piece comes in colourful paper, as pretty as it is full of hometown love.

Bánh ngũ sắc: five colours, five flavours

Bánh ngũ sắc (five-colour cakes) win you over with their flavour and with their bright five-coloured coats, which symbolise the five elements and the harmony prized in East Asian culture. Inside is a filling of mung bean, red bean or white sesame, wrapped in a shell fragrant with traditional roasted glutinous rice flour. Each pressed cake is like a tiny work of art, refined, meticulous and unmistakably Huế. They are often used for festivals and offerings, or given as elegant, meaningful gifts.

If you want to taste Huế's signature candies or pick out a gift full of hometown spirit, drop by HiPs stores and retail points, where you'll always find these pretty little sweets, carefully selected and lovingly prepared.

You can also contact HiPs directly through our fanpage or hotline for advice and quick ordering.
We're always happy to welcome you to discover the sweet flavours of Huế and take them home!