Tết Nguyên Đán, also known as Lunar New Year or simply Tết, is the most significant and widely celebrated festival in Vietnam. It marks the beginning of the lunar calendar year and holds deep cultural and spiritual significance. Tết is a time for family reunions, honoring ancestors, and celebrating the arrival of spring. One of the most important aspects of the celebration is the food—a reflection of Vietnam’s rich culinary traditions, regional diversity, and cultural beliefs.

The dishes served during Tết are not only delicious but are also symbolic. Many of these foods carry wishes of good fortune, health, and prosperity for the coming year. The festival spans several days, beginning on the eve of the new year, when families gather to prepare meals and honor their ancestors, and ending with the Tết Nguyên Tiêu or Lantern Festival. Throughout this period, certain foods are enjoyed more frequently due to their symbolic meaning, and in this article, we will explore the most iconic and cherished dishes served during Tết.

1. Bánh Chưng and Bánh Tét: The Symbolic Rice Cakes

At the heart of Tết celebrations are bánh chưng (square rice cakes) and bánh tét (cylindrical rice cakes). These cakes are among the most essential and iconic foods of the Tết holiday, and they hold deep cultural significance.

Bánh Chưng is traditionally made in the northern regions of Vietnam, while bánh tét is more common in the southern regions. Both cakes are made from sticky rice, filled with mung beans and pork, and wrapped in banana leaves. The shape of these cakes is highly symbolic: bánh chưng’s square shape represents the Earth, while bánh tét’s cylindrical shape symbolizes the sky. These shapes reflect the ancient Vietnamese belief in the harmony between heaven and earth.

The process of making these cakes is often a family affair, where family members gather to prepare the ingredients, cook the rice, and carefully wrap the cakes. The cooking process can take several hours, and the resulting rice cakes are considered a gift to the ancestors, with a portion placed on the family altar during Tết. They are also shared among family and friends as a gesture of goodwill, prosperity, and respect.

Bánh chưng and bánh tét are often enjoyed in various ways: served with pickled onions or pork, sliced thin, or eaten with boiled vegetables. They represent the wishes for abundance, fertility, and family unity in the coming year.

2. Thịt Kho Hột Vịt: Braised Pork with Boiled Eggs

Another staple of Tết is thịt kho hột vịt (braised pork with boiled eggs). This dish is particularly popular in the southern regions of Vietnam and is often served as part of the Tết feast. It consists of pork belly, boiled eggs, and a savory caramelized sauce made from fish sauce, sugar, and coconut juice. The combination of rich flavors and tender pork creates a comforting and hearty dish, perfect for family gatherings.

In Vietnamese culture, pork symbolizes strength and prosperity, while eggs represent fertility and new beginnings. The dish is considered an offering to ancestors and is believed to ensure a prosperous and productive year ahead. The sweet and savory flavors of thịt kho hột vịt make it a favorite during Tết celebrations, and it is commonly enjoyed with steamed rice, along with other side dishes.

3. Gỏi Cuốn: Vietnamese Spring Rolls

Gỏi cuốn, also known as Vietnamese spring rolls or fresh spring rolls, are light, refreshing, and healthy. While spring rolls are popular throughout the year, they are especially favored during Tết. The rolls are made with rice paper, fresh vegetables, herbs, vermicelli noodles, and often shrimp or pork. They are served with a tangy peanut dipping sauce or sweet chili sauce.

The simplicity of gỏi cuốn makes it a versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer or side dish during Tết. The fresh vegetables and herbs, such as lettuce, cilantro, and mint, are thought to symbolize growth, vitality, and renewal—ideal themes for the new year.

Although gỏi cuốn is not as symbolic as some of the other traditional Tết foods, it is widely appreciated for its refreshing taste and health benefits, making it a great dish to balance out the heavier, richer foods often served during the holiday.

4. Canh Măng: Bamboo Shoot Soup

Another essential dish during Tết is canh măng (bamboo shoot soup), which is often prepared with pork or chicken. This savory soup is made from young bamboo shoots that are simmered with meat, creating a fragrant and nourishing dish. The bamboo shoots themselves are tender and provide a unique texture that contrasts with the tender meat. The broth is often flavored with fish sauce, garlic, and onion.

In Vietnamese culture, bamboo is a symbol of resilience and flexibility, as it bends without breaking during strong winds. This symbolism makes bamboo shoots an ideal ingredient for Tết, as they are believed to bring strength and endurance for the year ahead. Bamboo also grows in clusters, which symbolizes family unity and growth, making canh măng a perfect dish for family gatherings during Tết.

The addition of pork or chicken in the soup makes it hearty and satisfying, while the bamboo shoots infuse the broth with their delicate flavor. Canh măng is typically enjoyed alongside rice and other main dishes during Tết meals.

5. Dưa Hành: Pickled Onions

Dưa hành (pickled onions) are a traditional accompaniment to many Tết meals, including bánh chưng, thịt kho hột vịt, and gỏi cuốn. These tangy, crunchy pickled onions add a refreshing contrast to the rich and savory dishes commonly served during the holiday. The pickling process involves soaking the onions in vinegar, sugar, and salt, resulting in a bright, zesty flavor.

Pickled onions are also a symbol of cleansing and renewal, making them an important part of Tết meals. The sharp taste is believed to help cleanse the palate after consuming heavier foods, ensuring a balanced and enjoyable meal. Dưa hành is typically served in small amounts, as its strong flavor complements the other dishes without overwhelming them.

6. Chả Lụa: Vietnamese Pork Sausage

Chả lụa, or Vietnamese pork sausage, is a common dish served during Tết celebrations. Made from finely ground pork, garlic, fish sauce, and spices, this smooth, white sausage is steamed until it achieves a firm, yet tender texture. Chả lụa is often sliced thin and served alongside other dishes, such as bánh chưng, or used as a filling for bánh mì (Vietnamese sandwiches).

The sausage is considered a symbol of wealth and prosperity, as it is often served as part of a grand spread of dishes during the Tết reunion meal. Chả lụa is enjoyed for its savory flavor and delicate texture, and its presence on the dining table adds to the festive atmosphere.

7. Mứt Tết: Sweet Candied Fruits

Mứt Tết refers to a variety of sweet, dried fruits and vegetables that are commonly enjoyed during Tết. These treats are made by preserving fruits like kumquat, coconut, ginger, and lotus seeds with sugar, creating colorful, sugary snacks that are often displayed in decorative jars or trays during the New Year celebrations.

Mứt Tết is offered to guests and enjoyed throughout the holiday as a sweet snack. The presence of these candies symbolizes sweetness and joy for the year ahead. The colorful array of fruits and vegetables also represents abundance and the promise of a bountiful year.

8. Bánh Phu Thê: Vietnamese Wedding Cake

Although bánh phu thê (Vietnamese wedding cakes) is traditionally associated with weddings, it is also a popular dessert during Tết. Made from sticky rice flour, sugar, coconut, and mung beans, these small, rectangular cakes are steamed in banana leaves. The cakes are often served as gifts, symbolizing harmony and lasting union between married couples.

The name bánh phu thê translates to “husband and wife cake,” reflecting the wish for a long-lasting and harmonious marriage. During Tết, these cakes are exchanged among family and friends as symbols of love, loyalty, and prosperity.

Conclusion: The Rich Culinary Tradition of Tết Nguyên Đán

Food is at the heart of the Tết Nguyên Đán celebrations. The dishes served during this time are not only delicious but are steeped in deep cultural symbolism. Whether it’s the bánh chưng and bánh tét, representing the harmony between heaven and earth, or the thịt kho hột vịt symbolizing strength and fertility, each dish plays an important role in ushering in the new year with hopes of prosperity, unity, and happiness.

As families gather around the table to enjoy these traditional dishes, they not only celebrate the flavors of Vietnam’s rich culinary heritage but also the warmth of family, the promise of good fortune, and the joy of starting a new year filled with hope and potential. Tết is a time to honor the past, celebrate the present, and look forward to the future, and the food shared during this special time is a reflection of those wishes.