Top 21 Snacks That Bring Back Childhood Memories

Quế is no longer as commonly sold as it once was. But for the 8X and 9X generations, the long stick infused with cinnamon fragrance brings a taste that is unmistakable and unique.

The chewing gums loved by the first-generation 8X and 9X kids included watermelon-flavored gum, parrot-shaped gum, cinnamon-flavored gum, and finally, Big Babol with the famous slogan 'Blow big, win big'. The fun of chewing gum and competing to see who could blow the biggest bubble became a sweet memory for many.

The lollipops of the past weren't as round as today's versions, but instead had small hard candy discs coated in red color, with plastic sticks in various fun shapes like rabbits, cats, swords, and more. Eating one of these lollipops meant your mouth would be stained red, but the real fun came from sucking on the candy and then cracking it open to get the stick for playtime.

Kids' instant noodles have a unique flavor that no other noodle brand can replicate. Crushed noodles mixed with the seasoning create a crunchy, salty, and slightly sweet taste that makes every child love them and save up to enjoy them anytime, anywhere.

The fruit jelly of the past wasn't as varied in flavor or types as it is today. Despite being packaged in different fruit-shaped wrappers, they all shared a distinct tangy-sweet taste. Yet, every child back then eagerly bit and sucked on them with pure joy and excitement.

The Heart-Shaped C Candy was considered a high-end snack back in the day. Every time it was purchased, each piece would be counted, with a promise to eat slowly, but the craving would always take over, and the attempt to save them would quickly fail.

The packet of Earth Plum, also known as sour plums or the infamous 'rat poop' plums, was a classic childhood treat that no 80s kid could forget. The sour-sweet flavor and the affordable price made it a favorite, especially among the girls.

Many children back then eagerly awaited the chance to trade broken sandals or feathers from chickens and ducks for pull candy. The candy seller would take a wooden stick and wrap it with sticky malt at both ends. Though it seemed like a small portion, it would last much longer than expected.

Philatop was not technically a snack, but rather a medicine. However, it was so delicious and sweet that it became part of the snack list anyway. The only way to enjoy it was to either be sick and in need of nourishment, or to be well-behaved, diligent in studies, and not sneak off to play during afternoon naps.

Small containers of fruit powder, just a bit larger than the size of a thumb, filled with various fruity flavors, were a favorite treat among kids.

It would be incomplete not to mention the various types of puffed snacks, found everywhere from rural areas to cities. For just a few hundred dong, kids could enjoy puffed rice, puffed tubes, or fragrant, crispy wafer biscuits.

Even now, chips remain a timeless snack. Back in the day, chips were fewer in variety and were considered a luxury treat. Crab-flavored chips, shrimp chips, and others always made children crave them, wishing they could have some.

Kê rice cake is a snack that has been a part of many generations of Vietnamese people. It's simply a piece of rice cake spread with soft boiled kê (a type of grain) and a little sugar, yet its rich, fragrant taste brings back memories for many, especially the excitement of waiting for their mother to bring it back from the market.

The salty, sweet, and spicy flavor of dried beef became a nostalgic treat for many childhoods. For just 300 or 500 đồng per pack, kids would munch on it during recess or secretly share it with a friend sitting beside them, sneaking bites while pretending to study.

The round box filled with chewy gummy candies that made a rattling sound when shaken, was the favorite snack of many children from the '80s and '90s. Even today, reminiscing about it still makes them crave for more.

Ice pops made from frozen syrup in various flavors were the ultimate treat for every child. They would eagerly slurp until the last drop, enjoying the sweet chill down to the very end.

Every time I went to the market with my mother, I would insist on buying chip chips. They were inexpensive (only 500 VND per pack) and delicious. The little chip chips in shapes of bears, hedgehogs, crocodiles, or rabbits, were colorful, chewy, and sweet.

The white coconut jelly is a mixture of coconut milk and jelly. It has a chewy, crispy texture, and its refreshing coolness makes it an irresistible treat for kids on a hot day.

Every time the school bell rings signaling the end of class, students rush outside without being told. Part of the reason is to quickly head home, but the majority are excited because there's a vendor at the school gate selling cotton candy. With a small machine neatly placed behind their bicycle, the vendor twirls the sugar like a fairy waving a magic wand, creating a fluffy, sweet treat.

On scorching hot days, there's nothing more delightful than biting into a small ice pop, savoring the sweet taste as it melts in your mouth! These refreshing ice pops, stored in an old foam cooler by the vendor selling them on the street, were the dream treat for every child, even though the ice pop itself was just water, a little sugar, milk, and diluted food coloring.

Yogurt pouches are simply diluted yogurt put into small plastic bags, then frozen until they harden like ice. They are sold as a refreshing treat. When eating, you'd bite off a corner of the pouch to create a hole and gradually consume the contents until it's finished. While the treat was quite solid, it didn't matter, as it made the snack last much longer, prolonging the joy of enjoying a treat.