Tết Nguyên Đán, or the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, is the most significant and joyous holiday in Vietnam, marked by family reunions, celebrations, and an abundance of delicious food. The holiday, which typically falls between January and February, is steeped in tradition, and food plays an essential role in the celebrations. Each dish served during Tết holds deep symbolism and is thought to bring good luck, prosperity, and health for the upcoming year.

As families gather together to welcome the new year, they prepare a wide array of dishes that represent various aspects of life and the hopes for the future. These dishes are carefully selected to reflect Vietnamese culture, history, and beliefs, with ingredients symbolizing wealth, longevity, and good fortune. From savory meats to sweet treats, the food of Tết is a reflection of the festive spirit and the warmth of family bonds. In this article, we explore the most popular and significant dishes served during Tết Nguyên Đán and the traditions surrounding them.

Bánh Chưng and Bánh Tét: The Heart of Tết Cuisine

No Tết celebration is complete without Bánh Chưng and Bánh Tét, two iconic rice cakes that are deeply embedded in Vietnamese culture. Both cakes are made from glutinous rice and are filled with various ingredients, but they differ in shape, symbolism, and regional variations.

Bánh Chưng: Square and Symbolic

Bánh Chưng is a square-shaped rice cake made with sticky rice, mung beans, and pork. The cake’s square shape represents the Earth, reflecting the ancient Vietnamese belief in the harmony between Heaven and Earth. The mung beans and pork inside symbolize prosperity and good health. In the northern regions of Vietnam, where the tradition of Bánh Chưng originated, it is customary to offer these cakes to ancestors during Tết as a way to honor them and seek their blessings.

Making Bánh Chưng is a time-consuming process, with families gathering together to prepare the ingredients, wrap the cakes in banana leaves, and then boil them for several hours. The cake’s preparation is often seen as a family bonding experience, with each member contributing to the process.

Bánh Tét: Cylindrical and Flavorful

While Bánh Chưng is more commonly associated with the north, Bánh Tét is a similar rice cake that is popular in the southern regions of Vietnam. The main difference between the two is the shape—Bánh Tét is cylindrical—though the ingredients are quite similar, consisting of sticky rice, mung beans, and pork. In some versions, Bánh Tét can also include other ingredients like banana or green beans.

Like Bánh Chưng, Bánh Tét is prepared with great care and is often used as an offering to ancestors. It also symbolizes the connection between the past and the present, ensuring a prosperous and harmonious future for the family.

Both Bánh Chưng and Bánh Tét are essential dishes during Tết, often served as part of the New Year’s feast and shared among family members and guests.

Món Thịt Heo Quay (Roast Pork)

One of the most beloved meats during Tết is món thịt heo quay, or roast pork. The crispy, golden skin of the pork is the highlight of this dish, and it is often served as a centerpiece on the Tết table. Roast pork represents abundance, wealth, and prosperity, making it a symbolically important dish for the new year.

The pork is typically marinated with a mix of spices, including five-spice powder, garlic, and soy sauce, before being roasted until the skin becomes perfectly crisp. It is often served with a dipping sauce made from sugar, fish sauce, and chili, which balances the savory richness of the pork with a hint of sweetness and spice.

Món thịt heo quay is usually served alongside other dishes like pickled vegetables and rice, creating a flavorful and satisfying meal that brings warmth and joy to family gatherings during Tết.

Xôi (Sticky Rice)

Sticky rice, or xôi, is a staple of Vietnamese cuisine and plays a prominent role during Tết celebrations. There are many variations of xôi served during the holiday, each with unique flavors and ingredients.

One popular version of xôi during Tết is xôi gấc, a vibrant red sticky rice made with gac fruit, which gives it its signature color. The color red is considered lucky and is believed to bring good fortune for the new year. Xôi gấc is often paired with grilled pork or chicken and is served as part of the festive meal.

Another variation is xôi đậu xanh, a sticky rice dish topped with mung beans, which symbolizes good health and prosperity. The dish is often served with fried shallots, creating a savory-sweet balance that complements the rich flavors of the rice.

Xôi is also commonly used as an offering to ancestors during Tết, ensuring that the deceased are remembered and honored as part of the family’s New Year celebrations.

Canh Măng (Bamboo Shoot Soup)

Another essential dish during Tết is canh măng, a hearty bamboo shoot soup typically made with pork or chicken. Bamboo shoots are an important ingredient in Vietnamese cooking and are symbolic of longevity and prosperity. The soup is light yet flavorful, with the earthy taste of the bamboo shoots pairing well with the richness of the meat.

Canh măng is often served as a starter or a side dish during the Tết feast. It is believed to bring good health and a long life to those who eat it, making it a perfect dish to start the new year. Additionally, the addition of dried mushrooms or wood ear mushrooms to the soup enhances its umami flavor, adding depth to the dish.

Nem Rán (Fried Spring Rolls)

Nem rán, or fried spring rolls, are another beloved dish served during Tết celebrations. These crispy rolls are filled with a mixture of ground pork, mushrooms, and vegetables, and are deep-fried to a golden crisp. The dish is often enjoyed with a dipping sauce made from fish sauce, sugar, and garlic, which provides a tangy contrast to the rich flavors of the rolls.

Nem rán is often served as an appetizer or finger food during Tết, and it is a favorite among both children and adults. The crispy exterior and savory filling make it a comforting and satisfying dish, and it is a symbol of wealth and prosperity for the new year.

Gà Luộc (Boiled Chicken)

In many Vietnamese households, gà luộc, or boiled chicken, is an important dish during Tết. The chicken is typically boiled with ginger, garlic, and a pinch of salt, creating a simple yet flavorful dish. The chicken is often served with nuoc mam, a fish sauce-based dipping sauce that complements the delicate flavor of the chicken.

The chicken represents abundance and is often served whole during Tết, symbolizing unity and the wholeness of family life. The bird is usually accompanied by a variety of side dishes, including pickled vegetables and rice.

Mứt Tết (Tết Candies)

No Tết celebration would be complete without a wide variety of mứt Tết, or Tết candies. These are sweet treats made from fruits, nuts, and vegetables, and they are enjoyed by families throughout the holiday season. Common types of mứt Tết include candied ginger, coconut, lotus seeds, and candied fruits like kumquat and watermelon.

Mứt Tết is often offered to guests during Tết, symbolizing hospitality and good fortune. The variety of colors and flavors in the candies represent the diversity and richness of life, and sharing these treats with loved ones is a key part of the holiday traditions.

Bánh Chưng and Bánh Tét: The Final Offering

As the Tết celebrations come to a close, families often make one final offering of Bánh Chưng or Bánh Tét to their ancestors. This gesture is meant to honor those who have passed away and to express gratitude for their blessings in the year to come. It is a meaningful part of Tết, connecting the living and the deceased, and ensuring that family bonds remain strong.

Conclusion

Tết Nguyên Đán is a time of celebration, reflection, and renewal. The food served during this holiday is not only delicious but also deeply symbolic, representing hopes for a prosperous, healthy, and happy new year. Each dish, from Bánh Chưng and Bánh Tét to nem rán and canh măng, tells a story of tradition, family, and the richness of Vietnamese culture.

As families across Vietnam prepare and enjoy these special dishes, they are reminded of the importance of togetherness, gratitude, and the blessings of the past. Whether you are enjoying these dishes in Vietnam or abroad, the flavors of Tết will always bring warmth and joy to your heart.