What is Trang Tien Ice Cream like?
Trang Tien Ice Cream is not your typical quiet dessert shop — it’s a busy, walk-up arcade where customers crowd around different counters to grab cones, popsicles, or mochi ice cream, then eat it standing on the sidewalk or just inside the open-air building. There are no seats, no air-conditioning, and no orderly lines — just the hum of locals, students, and tourists enjoying a sweet break on a hot Hanoi day.
What makes it stand out isn’t just the ice cream itself, but the experience. It’s affordable (just 10,000–15,000 VND for most items), chaotic in a charming way, and packed with nostalgia for many Vietnamese. You’ll see classic ice cream on a stick, soft serve, cones, mochi balls, and take-home cups — all sold from separate counters that can be confusing for newcomers but feel part of the local routine.
Despite the growing number of fancier dessert spots in Hanoi, Trang Tien Ice Cream remains a cultural landmark — especially loved by those who grew up with it or who want to taste something truly local. It’s just a short walk from Hoan Kiem Lake and fits naturally into any walking route through Hanoi’s French Quarter. Whether it’s your first visit or your tenth, there’s something unmistakably Hanoi about stopping here for a cold treat in the middle of a humid day.
History of Trang Tien Ice Cream
Ice cream first appeared in Vietnam during the French colonial era, served as a luxury treat in high-end venues like the Grand Hotel near Hoan Kiem Lake. At the time, it was a rare indulgence, out of reach for most Vietnamese. That changed in 1958, when state-run Trang Tien Ice Cream opened its doors at 35 Trang Tien Street — turning what was once a colonial delicacy into an affordable dessert for the masses.
During the subsidy period in northern Vietnam, Trang Tien Ice Cream became a cherished part of daily life. Families would queue up with coupons to buy simple ice pops, and eating ice cream while standing — either on the curb or just inside the store — became the norm. That habit never disappeared. Even today, with no seating available, locals still prefer to enjoy their cones and popsicles on foot, just as they did decades ago.
Trang Tien has remained at the same address for more than 60 years and holds a special place in the collective memory of Hanoi. For many, it’s tied to childhood outings, first dates, and post-school treats. In recent years, the shop underwent a major renovation — updating its facade and counters while keeping the same stall-style layout and no-table tradition. The result is a place that feels both modern and old-school: a living piece of Hanoi’s culinary history that continues to draw crowds every day.
The Ice Cream – Flavors, Styles & What to Try
Trang Tien Ice Cream comes in several styles — from classic popsicles to mochi balls and soft serve. Prices range from 10,000 to 30,000 VND depending on the type.
Tip: Each type is sold at its own counter inside the shop. If you want to try more than one, you’ll need to go to multiple stations — and not all flavors are always available at each one.
Here’s what to expect from each option:
1. Ice Cream on a Stick (Popsicles)
These are the originals — simple, nostalgic, and still the best-sellers today. Popsicles are light, slightly sweet, and more like “ice milk” than rich Western-style cream.
Classic flavors include:
- Young green rice (cốm) – distinctly Vietnamese, with a soft grainy texture
- Mung bean – earthy and subtly sweet
- Coconut milk – creamy with a smooth finish
- Chocolate – mild and not too bitter
- Taro – soft purple and slightly nutty
These popsicles are a favorite among locals, especially older generations, and are often eaten slowly while chatting in front of the shop.
2. Ice Cream Cones
Creamier than the popsicles, these cones are often the first choice for new visitors. The texture is closer to traditional Western-style ice cream, but still lighter and less sugary.
Popular flavors include:
- Vanilla – simple and mild
- Strawberry – light and fruity
- Green tea – slightly bitter, pairs well with the cone’s crunch
- Taro and cocoa – sweet but not overpowering
The cones are small and served at just the right temperature — soft enough to enjoy immediately, without needing to wait for it to melt.
3. Soft Serve
Trang Tien also offers soft serve from a separate counter. It’s thicker and colder than the cones, served in a cup or small cone, and comes in a few rotating flavors.
Some visitors enjoy it as a smoother, colder alternative on hot days. Others find the texture inconsistent, especially when machines aren’t freshly stocked — leading to a gritty or partially melted feel.
4. Mochi Ice Cream
A relatively recent addition, mochi ice cream blends Vietnamese flavors with a Japanese-style dessert format. Each mochi ball is filled with ice cream and wrapped in soft rice dough, then dusted with cornstarch to prevent sticking.
Flavors include:
- Vanilla
- Coffee
- Strawberry
- Apricot
- Green tea
- Blueberry
Sold in packs of three for around 30,000 VND, they’re not always available at every visit. Some counters stock them, some don’t — so ask around if you’re curious to try them.
5. Ice Cream Cups & Take-Home Boxes
Trang Tien also sells ice cream in single-serving cups and larger 450g boxes, usually in flavors like green rice, coconut, mung bean, taro, cocoa, and vanilla. These are primarily meant for locals to enjoy at home or bring as gifts — you’ll even find them in supermarkets and convenience stores around Hanoi.
That said, for most travelers, the real appeal of Trang Tien Ice Cream isn’t buying it in a cup or a box — it’s going to the shop itself. The atmosphere, the buzz of people, the tradition of eating it while standing — that’s what makes it memorable. So while the packaged options exist, we recommend skipping the freezer aisle and just enjoying the moment at 35 Trang Tien Street.
Menu of Trang Tien Ice Cream
Here’s a quick guide to the Vietnamese category names you’ll see on the shop’s menu. All flavors are already in English — these translations just help you understand the headers:
- Kem Que – Ice Cream on a Stick (Popsicle)
- Kem Mochi – Mochi Ice Cream
- Kem Ốc Quế – Ice Cream Cone
- Kem Hộp – Ice Cream Box (usually the 450g take-home box)
- Kem Ly – Ice Cream Cup (usually the 85g serving cup)
Reminder: Even though all these options are listed together on the menu, they’re sold at different counters inside the shop.
How to get there
General location
Trang Tien Ice Cream is located at 35 Trang Tien Street, in the heart of Hanoi’s French Quarter. It sits just steps from Hoan Kiem Lake and across the street from Trang Tien Plaza. The iconic Hanoi Opera House is right down the road, making it a convenient and central stop during any city walk.
Walking access
If you’re coming from the Old Quarter, it’s an easy 10–15 minute walk. Just head south along the eastern edge of Hoan Kiem Lake and follow the curve of the street until it becomes Trang Tien. The ice cream shop is just past the lake and before you reach the Opera House. It’s a pleasant and scenic stroll — especially nice in the early evening or after visiting nearby sights.
French Quarter walking route tip
Trang Tien Ice Cream fits perfectly into a self-guided walking route through the French Quarter. Start at the Hanoi Opera House, walk up Trang Tien Street for ice cream, detour to Dinh Le Book Street or the Vietnamese Women’s Museum, then loop around Hoan Kiem Lake. It’s a great way to cool down mid-walk and experience a local favorite along the way.
Taxi or Grab
You can also take a Grab car or motorbike taxi, which will drop you off right at the entrance on Trang Tien Street. Just search for “Kem Trang Tien” or “35 Trang Tien” in the app. Do note that traffic around Hoan Kiem Lake can get congested, especially in the evenings or on weekends, when parts of the area become pedestrian-only. During those times, your driver may drop you a short walk away.
Nearby sights (All <10 minutes walking)
Trang Tien Ice Cream is worth visiting not just for the dessert, but for where it’s located — right in the heart of Hanoi’s elegant French Quarter. It makes the most sense as part of a short walk through the area, especially if you’re exploring nearby museums, colonial architecture, or just strolling around Hoan Kiem Lake. Here are some of the best sights within a 10-minute walk:
- Trang Tien Plaza – Upscale shopping mall right around the corner, with AC and clean toilets. Housed in a colonial-era building, it’s a good spot to cool off between stops.
- Hoan Kiem Lake – Hanoi’s central lake, perfect for a morning or evening walk. Just a few minutes away and a natural part of any visit to the city center.
- Hanoi Opera House – Grand colonial structure just down the street; visible from the shop entrance. Offers great photo ops even if you don’t go inside.
- Vietnamese Women’s Museum – Fascinating museum a block behind with powerful and visual exhibits. Focuses on women’s roles in family, war, and culture.
- Dinh Le & Hanoi Book Street – Two literary-themed walking streets nearby — one old-school and chaotic, one more polished and modern. Ideal if you enjoy browsing books or just want a quieter corner of the city.
- Hoa Lo Prison Museum – Famous war-era site just a 10-minute walk west. Known for its stark exhibits and role in both colonial and Vietnam War history.
Is Trang Tien Ice Cream worth visiting?
If you’re expecting gourmet ice cream, you might be underwhelmed — but that’s not really the point. Trang Tien Ice Cream is more about atmosphere than flavor: a chaotic, nostalgic, and very local experience that has become part of Hanoi’s rhythm.
Many Vietnamese visitors come for the memories, not just the dessert, while foreigners often find the shop a little confusing at first — with multiple counters, no signs in English, and occasional crowds pushing to the front. Still, it’s cheap, fun, and right in the middle of a beautiful area. If you’re already exploring the French Quarter or walking near Hoan Kiem Lake, it’s an easy and worthwhile detour. Not a destination in itself, but definitely part of the Hanoi experience.
