In Vietnam, the Đoan Ngọ Festival, also known as Tết Bái Tổ or the Mid-Year Festival, is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. This holiday, which has deep cultural roots and historical significance, is traditionally associated with honoring ancestors, protecting one’s health, and embracing the seasonal transition into summer. It is a time for families to gather, pay respects to their forebears, and partake in a variety of traditional dishes that carry both symbolic meanings and practical benefits for the body.

At the core of the Đoan Ngọ Festival is a special culinary tradition. The foods enjoyed during this holiday are thought to offer protection against diseases, promote good health, and ensure the prosperity of the family in the coming months. With its unique customs and traditions, this festival is marked by vibrant, colorful dishes that highlight the cultural richness of Vietnam. In this article, we will explore the most iconic foods prepared and enjoyed during the Đoan Ngọ Festival.

1. Bánh Tro (Sticky Rice Cake)

Bánh tro, or sticky rice cake, is one of the most iconic foods associated with the Đoan Ngọ Festival. This cake is made from glutinous rice that is soaked in a solution of ash water (often from a specific kind of ash), giving the rice a distinctive grayish color. It is then wrapped in banana leaves and steamed until the rice becomes soft and sticky.

The preparation of bánh tro is a time-honored tradition, often passed down from one generation to the next. Its symbolism is tied to the belief that consuming sticky rice during Đoan Ngọ helps protect the body from diseases and pests. In the past, it was believed that the fifth day of the fifth lunar month marked the height of the summer season, a time when pestilence was most prevalent. Bánh tro was made and consumed as a safeguard against illnesses, particularly those that were associated with the intense heat and the spread of germs during the early summer.

The sticky rice used in bánh tro is considered symbolic of unity and togetherness, as the soft and pliable nature of the rice represents the strength and bond of family. When served at family gatherings, bánh tro serves as a reminder of the importance of health, unity, and protection from harm.

2. Cơm Hến (Rice with Clams)

Cơm hến (rice with clams) is a dish that is particularly common in central Vietnam and is often enjoyed during the Đoan Ngọ Festival. The dish features a bed of steamed rice topped with small, tender clams. The clams are typically cooked with garlic, shallots, and a mix of spices to bring out their natural sweetness. Some variations also include fried shallots, peanuts, and herbs for additional flavor and texture.

The use of clams in this dish is significant because they are believed to have health benefits, including the ability to cool the body and improve digestion. As Đoan Ngọ falls in the middle of the summer season, the foods eaten during the festival are designed to cool the body and protect it from the heat. Cơm hến serves as a refreshing and light dish that balances the more substantial offerings during the festival.

The rice in cơm hến symbolizes sustenance and prosperity, while the clams represent abundance and fertility. Together, they embody wishes for good health, prosperity, and happiness in the coming months.

3. Trái Cây Ngũ Quả (Five-fruit Tray)

The trái cây ngũ quả, or five-fruit tray, is an essential element of the Đoan Ngọ Festival. This colorful platter typically consists of five different types of fruit, each chosen for its symbolic meaning. The fruits vary by region, but common choices include bananas, oranges, guavas, mangoes, and papayas. The number five is particularly significant in Vietnamese culture, as it is believed to represent the five elements—wood, fire, earth, metal, and water—and the balance necessary for good health.

During the Đoan Ngọ Festival, the five-fruit tray is often placed on the family altar as an offering to ancestors. The fruits are not only enjoyed as part of the celebration but are also symbolic of the wish for a balanced and harmonious life. By offering fruits to the ancestors, families seek blessings of good health, prosperity, and longevity for the year ahead.

The five-fruit tray is also a way to express respect and gratitude to one’s ancestors, with each fruit carefully chosen for its association with luck and well-being. It is customary for families to gather around the tray, offering the fruits to the deceased and sharing them among the living as a gesture of unity and respect.

4. Nước Mía (Sugarcane Juice)

Another traditional drink served during the Đoan Ngọ Festival is nước mía, or sugarcane juice. This refreshing beverage is made by extracting the juice from fresh sugarcane, which is then served over ice. In some regions, the juice is flavored with a touch of lime or a pinch of salt to balance its natural sweetness.

Sugarcane is believed to have cooling properties, making nước mía an ideal drink for combating the heat of summer. It is often consumed throughout the day during the festival, especially during family gatherings or while visiting friends and relatives. The juice not only provides hydration but is also thought to have health benefits, promoting energy and vitality.

The sweetness of sugarcane is also seen as a symbol of the wishes for happiness and prosperity in the new season. Drinking nước mía during Đoan Ngọ is said to bring good fortune and promote well-being throughout the year.

5. Bánh Ít (Sticky Rice Dumplings)

Bánh ít, or sticky rice dumplings, are another traditional dish served during the Đoan Ngọ Festival. These dumplings are made from glutinous rice dough filled with mung beans or pork, and they are wrapped in banana leaves before being steamed. The outer layer of rice dough is sticky and soft, while the filling is savory and aromatic.

The preparation of bánh ít is a labor of love, often made in large batches to share with extended family and friends. The round shape of the dumplings symbolizes completeness and unity, while the sticky rice signifies the bond that ties families together. In addition to being a festive treat, bánh ít is also a symbol of respect for ancestors, as the dumplings are often offered on the family altar.

The dish is popular across Vietnam, and during Đoan Ngọ, it is commonly eaten in the morning as a way to celebrate the festival’s arrival. The bánh ít represents both the sustenance provided by ancestors and the family’s wish for a prosperous year ahead.

6. Hạt Sen (Lotus Seeds)

Lotus seeds, or hạt sen, are a popular food during the Đoan Ngọ Festival. Known for their delicate flavor and health benefits, lotus seeds are often used in soups, desserts, and teas. The seeds are believed to have cooling properties and are thought to promote relaxation and balance the body’s energy during the hot summer months.

One of the most common ways to prepare hạt sen is by simmering them in a sweet, fragrant syrup or adding them to chè (Vietnamese sweet soup). In some regions, lotus seeds are also eaten with cơm (rice) or incorporated into savory dishes. The lotus, as a symbol of purity and enlightenment in Vietnamese culture, represents the wish for mental clarity, good health, and spiritual peace.

The presence of lotus seeds during Đoan Ngọ is a reminder to honor the body and mind, keeping them balanced and healthy in the face of seasonal changes.

7. Chè Đậu Xanh (Mung Bean Sweet Soup)

Chè đậu xanh, or mung bean sweet soup, is another beloved dessert commonly enjoyed during the Đoan Ngọ Festival. The soup is made by simmering mung beans with sugar and coconut milk until the beans are soft and the mixture thickens into a sweet, creamy dessert.

Mung beans are believed to have cooling properties and are thought to help cleanse the body during the summer heat. Chè đậu xanh is not only a refreshing treat but also carries a sense of renewal, symbolizing the fresh start of a new season. The sweet flavor of the dessert also represents the joys and sweetness of life.

Often served cold or at room temperature, chè đậu xanh provides a cooling respite during the festival and is enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a dish that reflects both the culinary traditions of Vietnam and the desire for health, happiness, and renewal.

Conclusion

The Đoan Ngọ Festival, or Tết Bái Tổ, is a celebration of both cultural heritage and the natural world. Through the foods consumed during this holiday, families pay tribute to their ancestors, promote health and well-being, and embrace the changes that the summer season brings. The dishes enjoyed during Đoan Ngọ are more than just meals—they are symbols of unity, prosperity, and the hope for a harmonious and prosperous year ahead. Whether it’s bánh tro, cơm hến, or chè đậu xanh, each dish serves a meaningful purpose, bringing families together to celebrate life, health, and the bonds that connect them.