At Tiệm Chè Hữu Hòa on Phan Đình Phùng Street, glass cases are lined with colorful chè toppings — mung beans, red beans, coconut jelly, grass jelly, agar — each bowl scooped and served fresh, topped with ice and coconut milk. It's an everyday afternoon cooling treat for Cần Thơ locals. This old Chinese chè shop has been passed down for more than fifty years and is a name that ranks among the most respected chè shops in the eyes of locals.
What is assorted chè, and what makes the Cần Thơ version special?
Chè is the general Vietnamese term for sweet soups and desserts, clearly defined in the Vietnamese Wikipedia entry for 'Chè (ẩm thực).' Cần Thơ's official tourism portal (canthotourism.vn / media.cantho.gov.vn) and the Cần Thơ Daily (baocantho.com.vn) have both run features titled 'Ăn chè ở Cần Thơ' (Eating chè in Cần Thơ), reflecting how popular and representative this dessert is in the city.
Honestly, during fact-checking, one detail worth flagging came up: a commonly cited shop with a similar name, 'Chè Cô 7 Cần Thơ,' actually has most of its outlets in Ho Chi Minh City (Districts 4, 7, and 10), not in Cần Thơ itself — a classic case of a name that invokes Cần Thơ without actually being rooted there. For that reason, this guide doesn't use that name as its anchor, and instead confirms Hữu Hòa, located in Ninh Kiều District, Cần Thơ, as the reference point. This old Chinese chè shop, with more than 50 years of history, is a genuinely Cần Thơ-rooted representative.
How to eat it like a local
Notable shops and local knowledge
Tiệm Chè Hữu Hòa, on Phan Đình Phùng Street in Ninh Kiều District, is a representative old shop with more than 50 years of history, and it's genuinely rooted in Cần Thơ itself. Worth noting: if you come across a chè shop sign online with 'Cần Thơ' in the name, don't assume it's actually located there — shops like Chè Cô 7 mostly operate in Ho Chi Minh City, so it's best to confirm the address before visiting in person.
Prices and Hours
- A bowl of assorted chè costs about 15,000–30,000 VND (roughly NT$18–37), depending on the number of toppings.
- Afternoon into evening is the busiest time for chè shops — visiting then gives you a better chance of getting freshly made toppings.
- Try saying: 'Cho tôi một ly chè thập cẩm.' (Give me a bowl of assorted chè.)
Things to Keep in Mind
- Fact-checking found that the similarly named 'Chè Cô 7 Cần Thơ' mostly has outlets in Ho Chi Minh City, not an actual Cần Thơ storefront — confirm the address before visiting.
- With so many toppings to choose from, ask the shop for their recommended signature combination if you're unsure.
- Old shops tend to have limited seating — you may need to wait or share a table during peak hours.
A bowl of assorted chè scoops up Cần Thơ locals' everyday way of cooling off — and reminds travelers that a name invoking a city doesn't always mean the shop is actually rooted there.