A practical guide to Chè Xuân Trang — Da Nang's most beloved chè shop. What to order, which branch to visit, prices, hours, and tips for first-timers.
By the go-danang team · Last updated June 2026
Chè Xuân Trang has served sweet soups to Da Nang families since 1974, making it one of the city's most enduring dessert institutions. With prices starting around 15,000 VND and a visual display case, ordering is incredibly easy even if you don't speak Vietnamese.
If you are new to this dessert, check out our full guide to chè in Da Nang. It explains the different styles around the city and how to navigate a typical shop.
This family-run business was founded in 1974 by Mr. Mai Sinh and his wife Võ Thị Kiệt — a couple from Huế who relocated to Da Nang and started selling sweet soups near the old Trưng Vương Theater. By 1978 they had settled permanently on Lê Duẩn street, where the original branch still operates today. Food trends move fast here, but locals who grew up eating at Xuân Trang now bring their own children — and grandchildren. The shops are modest with purely functional seating. People keep coming back for the honest portions and a recipe that never changes. Stopping in after school or dinner costs almost nothing. If you are exploring what to eat in Da Nang, this is a great starting point.
Chè with green beans, red beans and coconut milk in a clear glass
This is the flagship bowl and the best introduction for a first visit. Thập cẩm translates roughly to "ten-ingredient chè." At Xuân Trang, expect a mix of green bean, red bean, white bean, and peanuts. You will often find jelly or taro in the bowl too. Everything is topped with sweetened coconut milk and a scoop of crushed ice.
If you want something lighter, try a single-bean bowl. Choose either mung bean (đậu xanh) or red bean (đậu đỏ). The flavor is more restrained. It is a safe pick if you are unsure about the thicker, multi-layered mixed chè.
Xuân Trang does serve durian-flavored options — look for chè Thái sầu riêng (Thai-style dessert with durian) and rau câu sầu riêng (durian jelly) at most branches. These were added to the menu in recent years and are worth trying. That said, if durian chè is your main reason for visiting, Chè Liên is Da Nang's dedicated durian chè specialist.
Most branches also sell flan (bánh flan), yogurt (sữa chua), and simple ice cream (kem). These are great options if you are visiting with children or anyone who prefers a familiar dessert.
When you order, you can specify a few preferences:
Chè Xuân Trang is pure comfort food. You are paying for consistency and nostalgia. Come expecting a simple, tasty local treat and you will leave happy.
A cup of chè costs around 15,000 to 30,000 VND — roughly 60 cents to $1.20 USD. Even if you order three cups to try different flavors, you will spend less than four dollars.
Bring cash. No sources confirm card or mobile payment at any branch, and at these price points the shop operates on a fast cash-in, next-customer flow. Small VND notes are ideal.
This branch sits on a main central street. It is the easiest location to reach if you are staying near the Han River or the beach.
A second central branch that is convenient if you are exploring the Đống Đa area.
Located on another major artery. Stop here if you are already walking through this part of the city.
This branch serves residents in the northern part of the city. You will not need to travel this far from the beach strip, but it is useful to know if you are based in Liên Chiểu.
Which one should you choose? The Lê Duẩn branch (CS1) is the default for visitors. It is highly central and easy to fold into a city walk. It also gets busy with a great cross-section of locals, which adds to the atmosphere.
A busy Vietnamese dessert shop with cups of chè lined up on a counter
Late afternoon is the sweet spot. Between 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm, the post-school crowd brings great energy to the shop. A cold cup of chè also feels perfect in the afternoon heat.
Evenings work well for a post-dinner dessert between 8:00 pm and 10:00 pm. The pace slows down, but the shop still buzzes with customers.
Weekends and the post-dinner window (7:00 pm to 9:00 pm) are the busiest times. The after-school crowd peaks around 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm on weekdays. If you want a quiet visit with room to sit, aim for a weekday morning or early afternoon.
Ordering is simple. The display case shows everything. Just point at what looks good, hold up your fingers for the quantity, and point at the ice if you want it cold. Staff at the central branches are very used to non-Vietnamese speakers.
Expect basic seating. These are no-frills shops with plastic stools and fans. Arrive expecting honest street-food energy rather than a polished café aesthetic.
Try a few varieties. At 15,000 to 30,000 VND a cup, ordering two or three different kinds to share is incredibly cheap. It gives you a much better picture of the menu.
Explore jelly desserts. If you love jelly, check out chè xoa xoa hạt lựu. This basil seed and jelly style is completely different and highly recommended while you are in Da Nang.
Is Chè Xuân Trang the oldest chè shop in Da Nang? It is one of Da Nang's most historic dessert spots, founded in 1974 — over 50 years of continuous family operation. Báo Đà Nẵng, the official city newspaper, called it "a brand that has stood the test of time." Whether it is definitively the oldest is hard to pin down, but locals across four or five generations consistently name it as the city's most established chè institution.
What is the most popular dish? Chè thập cẩm. This is the mixed multi-bean version topped with coconut milk and crushed ice. Order this if you are unsure where to start.
How much does it cost? Expect to pay around 15,000 to 30,000 VND per cup — roughly 60 cents to $1.20 USD. A generous tasting session with two or three different chè styles will rarely top 80,000 VND.
Is it easy for tourists who do not speak Vietnamese? Yes. The visual display case completely removes the language barrier. Point to your choice, indicate hot or cold, and pay in cash. The Lê Duẩn branch (CS1) handles visitors daily.
How does it compare to Chè Liên? Chè Liên is the specialist destination for durian chè (chè sầu riêng). Xuân Trang has a broader everyday appeal and is the go-to spot for mixed bean chè. Both are worth a visit if you want to explore local desserts.
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