The Vietnamese Tet holiday, also known as Lunar New Year, is the most significant celebration in Vietnam. It marks the beginning of the lunar calendar and is a time for family reunions, honoring ancestors, and enjoying festive foods. Traditional Vietnamese food for Tet holiday is an integral part of the celebrations, with each dish holding cultural and symbolic meanings. This article delves into the essential indispensable dishes of Tet, offering recipes, historical insights, and cultural significance.
Read more: All Things You Need To Know About Festivals and Public Holidays in Vietnam
1. Banh Chung (square sticky rice cake): The Iconic Tet Cake
Banh Chung, a square sticky rice cake, is perhaps the most iconic Vietnamese Tet meals. According to legend, Banh Chung was invented by Prince Lang Liêu, the son of the sixth Hung King, to symbolize the Earth. The square shape represents the Earth, and the cake’s ingredients—sticky rice, mung beans, and pork—symbolize the agricultural staples of Vietnamese life.
It is often placed on altars as an offering to ancestors and shared with loved ones to bring good luck.
Making Banh Chung is a labor-intensive process that involves wrapping a mixture of glutinous rice, mung beans, and pork in dong leaves. The cake is then boiled for several hours until it becomes firm and flavorful. Families often come together to prepare Banh Chung, making it a communal activity that strengthens familial bonds.
2. Gio Lua (Vietnamese Sausage)
Gio Lua, a popular Vietnamese food for Tet, is a Vietnamese sausage or pork roll. Gio Lua symbolizes purity and the desire for a prosperous new year. It is a common offering on ancestral altars and a staple in Tet gift baskets.
It is made from finely ground pork, seasoned with fish sauce, and wrapped in banana leaves before being boiled. The result is a smooth, firm sausage with a delicate flavor.
There are various versions of Gio Lua, including those made with beef or mixed with other ingredients like mushrooms. It is often sliced and served with sticky rice or Banh Chung, adding a savory contrast to the meal.
3. Thit Kho Trung (Braised Pork with Eggs)
This traditional dishes of Vietnamese Tet Holiday is symbolic of family unity and strength. The round eggs represent completeness and prosperity, while the caramelized pork signifies warmth and abundance.
Thit Kho Trung is a comforting dish of braised pork and eggs in a caramelized sauce. The ingredients typically include pork belly, hard-boiled eggs, coconut water, fish sauce, and sugar. The pork is simmered until tender, absorbing the rich, sweet-savory flavors of the sauce.
4. Canh Mang (Bamboo Shoot Soup)
Another Vietnamese New Year’s foods to try this upcoming Tet is Canh Mang, or bamboo shoot soup, is a light and flavorful soup made with dried bamboo shoots, pork, and sometimes mushrooms. The bamboo shoots are soaked, boiled, and simmered with the other ingredients to create a clear, savory broth.
Bamboo shoots are low in calories and rich in fiber, making Canh Mang a healthy addition to the Tet menu. It is typically served as a starter or side dish, complementing the richer main courses.
5. Mut Tet (Candied Fruits)
Mut Tet refers to an assortment of candied fruits and vegetables, which are colorful and sweet. Common varieties include candied ginger, coconut, kumquat, and lotus seeds. These treats are often arranged in decorative boxes and enjoyed throughout the holiday.
Preparing Mut Tet involves slicing the fruits, soaking them in sugar syrup, and drying them until they crystallize. This process requires patience and precision to ensure the fruits retain their shape and flavor. For instance, candied ginger starts with peeling and slicing fresh ginger, which is then boiled and soaked in a sugar syrup until it becomes translucent and sweet. The ginger is dried and rolled in sugar for a crystallized finish.
These sweets symbolize the sweetness and joy of the new year and are a popular gift during Tet. They are often offered to guests who visit during the holiday and are an essential part of the Tet snacking experience.
6. Xoi Gac (Red Sticky Rice)
Xoi Gac, or red sticky rice, is made with glutinous rice and Gac fruit, which gives the rice its vibrant red color. The rice is soaked overnight, then mixed with the flesh of the Gac fruit and steamed. Coconut milk and sugar are added during the steaming process, creating a sweet and fragrant dish.
The red color of Xoi Gac symbolizes good luck and prosperity, making it an auspicious dish for the Tet holiday. It is often served alongside other traditional foodson Tet holiday as part of the celebratory feast. The use of Gac fruit, believed to bring health benefits, adds to the dish’s significance as a symbol of well-being and fortune.
7. Cu Kieu (Pickled Scallion Heads)
Cu Kieu, or pickled scallion heads, are a tangy and crunchy side dish commonly enjoyed during Tet. To prepare Cu Kieu, scallion heads are cleaned and soaked in a mixture of vinegar, sugar, and salt for several days. Some recipes include chili peppers for an extra kick. The pickling process imparts a unique flavor that balances the sweetness and acidity.
Cu Kieu is often served with boiled pork, Gio Lua, or as a condiment to other Vietnam Tradional Food for Tet Holiday, adding a refreshing contrast to richer foods. Its bright flavor and crunchy texture make it a favorite accompaniment during the holiday meals.
8. Lap Xuong (Chinese Sausage)
Lap Xuong, or Chinese sausage, is a sweet and savory sausage made from pork, lard, and rice wine. The sausage mixture is typically stuffed into casings and air-dried until it reaches the desired firmness. It is then grilled or fried before serving, bringing out its rich flavor and slightly chewy texture.
Lap Xuong is a popular traditional foods for Vietnamese New Year in Southern Vietnam and is often included in gift baskets. Its sweet flavor and firm texture make it a favorite accompaniment to sticky rice and other traditional dishes. The presence of Lap Xuong in Tet meals symbolizes the blending of cultural influences, as it originated from Chinese cuisine and has been adapted into Vietnamese culinary traditions.
9. Cha Gio (Spring Rolls)
Cha Gio, or spring rolls, are a beloved Vietnamese appetizer made with a filling of minced pork, shrimp, mushrooms, and vermicelli, wrapped in rice paper and fried until crispy. The filling ingredients are mixed together with seasonings, and then tightly wrapped in rice paper before being deep-fried.
Spring rolls are typically served with a dipping sauce made from fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, and chili. They are a popular traditional dishes of Vietnamese Tet Holiday and symbolize wealth and prosperity. The crispiness of Cha Gio provides a delightful contrast to other dishes on the Tet table.
10. Ga Luoc (Boiled Chicken)
Ga Luoc, or boiled chicken, is a simple yet essential Vietnamese food for Tet holiday. The chicken is cleaned and boiled in water with a pinch of salt until it is tender and fully cooked. Once cooked, the chicken is allowed to cool slightly and then cut into pieces for serving.
Boiled chicken is often placed on the family altar as an offering to ancestors. It symbolizes purity and new beginnings, making it a fitting dish for the Tet holiday. The simplicity of Ga Luoc highlights the importance of respect and gratitude in Vietnamese culture.
Traditional Vietnamese food for Tet holiday is rich in history, cultural significance, and flavor. Each dish tells a story of Vietnam’s heritage and values, from the iconic Banh Chung to the comforting Thit Kho Trung. As Tet approaches, these foods nourish the body and bring families together, celebrate cultural identity, and usher in the new year with hope and joy.
If you want to experience Vietnamese New Year’s foods this upcoming Tet, book our tours at Vietnam Trails Travel like:
- HCM tour 5 days
- My Tho & Ben Tre Tour From Ho Chi Minh
- Hanoi Real Street Food Tours
- Hanoi city tour full day
You will experience interesting things that are only available during our Tet season in Vietnam.
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