The Incense Festival, or Lễ hội Hương Trầm, is one of the most significant cultural and religious celebrations in Vietnam, particularly in the northern regions of the country. This festival, celebrated in honor of the ancestors and gods, is deeply rooted in the Vietnamese people’s spiritual beliefs, with a focus on offering incense to honor the dead, show respect to the divine, and pray for peace and prosperity. However, beyond the incense, this festival is also a time for people to gather, celebrate, and indulge in a variety of traditional foods that hold special significance during the event.

In this article, we will explore the traditional dishes served during the Incense Festival, the history and cultural significance of these foods, and how they enhance the experience of the festival. From simple snacks to elaborate dishes, food plays an essential role in creating the festive atmosphere, honoring ancestors, and reinforcing the bonds of family and community. Join us as we explore the essential culinary traditions that accompany this sacred celebration.

1. The Importance of Food in the Incense Festival

Food holds a significant place in the Incense Festival, as it is used both as an offering to the gods and ancestors and as part of the communal celebrations. The foods prepared during the festival are not only meant to nourish the body but also to honor the spirits of the deceased. The act of preparing and sharing these dishes is a symbolic gesture of respect, with each dish carrying a unique meaning.

Traditional foods at the festival are often based on family recipes passed down through generations and reflect the agricultural and cultural heritage of the region. The meal offerings typically include rice, fruits, vegetables, and meat, each representing different wishes for the ancestors’ spirits and the living family members.

2. Traditional Offerings: Sticky Rice Cakes (Bánh Chưng and Bánh Dày)

One of the most iconic foods served during the Incense Festival is the Bánh Chưng and Bánh Dày. These traditional sticky rice cakes are considered essential offerings for the ancestors and are deeply symbolic in Vietnamese culture.

• Bánh Chưng is a square-shaped cake made from glutinous rice, green beans, and pork, wrapped in banana leaves. It represents the earth, with its square shape symbolizing the four corners of the earth. The cake is traditionally prepared during the Lunar New Year (Tết), but it is also offered during the Incense Festival as a symbol of respect and an offering for the deceased. The act of preparing Bánh Chưng is done with the utmost care and reverence, as it is believed that the quality of the cake reflects the family’s respect for their ancestors.
• Bánh Dày, on the other hand, is a round, sticky rice cake, which represents the heavens. This round shape signifies the universe, symbolizing the balance of heaven and earth. Traditionally, Bánh Dày is often paired with Bánh Chưng during the festival, reflecting the connection between the spiritual and earthly realms.

The preparation of these cakes is a family event, with everyone participating in the process. The act of wrapping the rice in banana leaves, boiling the cakes, and offering them to the ancestors is a way of honoring family heritage and continuity.

3. Fruits and Offerings: Symbolizing Prosperity and Fertility

In addition to rice cakes, a variety of fruits are also offered during the Incense Festival. The selection of fruits holds significant meaning, as each fruit symbolizes different aspects of life such as prosperity, fertility, and health.

• Oranges and tangerines are commonly offered, symbolizing wealth and good fortune. The bright, round shape of the fruit is associated with abundance and success.
• Bananas are often included in the offerings as a symbol of fertility and longevity. In many Vietnamese cultures, bananas are believed to bring blessings for many children and a long life.
• Apples are another popular choice, representing peace and harmony within the family. The crisp, sweet fruit is seen as a wish for happiness and prosperity.

These fruits are placed carefully on the family altar or at the ceremonial site during the festival as an offering, with each fruit symbolizing a blessing for the living and the deceased. The arrangement of these fruits reflects the family’s deep respect for their ancestors and the belief that these offerings will bring good fortune in the coming year.

4. Roasted Pork and Chicken: Symbolizing Family and Unity

Meat dishes, such as roasted pork and roasted chicken, are often prepared for the Incense Festival. These dishes are offered as a sign of respect and gratitude to the ancestors, as well as a wish for unity and prosperity in the family.

• Roasted Pork is a popular dish for the festival, symbolizing wealth, prosperity, and the continuity of the family. The meat is carefully roasted to a crispy golden brown, symbolizing a prosperous and bright future. The pig is considered a symbol of wealth and success in Vietnamese culture, and its inclusion in the offerings is a wish for the family’s financial well-being.
• Roasted Chicken is another common dish, symbolizing family unity and the strengthening of bonds between generations. The whole chicken, often served with its head and feet intact, represents completeness and the cyclical nature of life. In many families, chicken is also a symbol of the nurturing aspect of family life, representing the care and support that the living offer to their ancestors.

These meat dishes, served with rice and accompanied by vegetables, are not only enjoyed during the feast but are also shared with family and guests. This act of sharing symbolizes the unity of the family, as well as the idea of nourishment for both the body and the soul.

5. Pickled Vegetables and Stews: For Health and Long Life

During the festival, pickled vegetables and stews are often prepared to complement the more substantial meat dishes. These dishes are believed to bring good health, longevity, and protection from illness.

• Pickled vegetables, particularly pickled onions and pickled mustard greens, are served as a side dish to balance the richness of the meat and rice. The tangy and refreshing flavors are believed to cleanse the body and promote good digestion, reflecting the desire for long, healthy lives.
• Stews made from a variety of vegetables, tofu, and herbs are common in many Vietnamese wedding and religious festivals, including the Incense Festival. These stews symbolize longevity and the hope for a long, prosperous life. The use of herbs and vegetables also reflects the importance of maintaining balance and harmony with nature.

The tradition of serving pickled vegetables and stews is deeply rooted in the Vietnamese belief that food should nourish both the body and the soul, providing health and vitality for all who partake in the offerings.

6. Sweet Treats: For Joy and Happiness

As the Incense Festival comes to a close, sweet treats are often served to mark the joyful celebration of family and community. These sweets are designed not only to provide a delightful conclusion to the meal but also to symbolize the happiness and prosperity that the family wishes to share.

• Bánh Xu xê, a type of steamed sticky rice cake filled with coconut or mung beans, is one of the sweet treats commonly found during the festival. The cake’s round shape and sweet taste symbolize the sweetness of life and the joy of family reunion.
• Coconut candy and sweetened lotus seeds are also enjoyed during the festival. These candies are often offered to guests as a gesture of goodwill, and their sweetness is a metaphor for a sweet, prosperous life.

These sweet treats are served with tea or local wine, and the act of sharing them with guests and family reinforces the sense of unity and the celebration of life.

7. Drink Offerings: Tea and Rice Wine

No festival or celebration in Vietnam would be complete without a drink offering, and the Incense Festival is no exception. During the event, tea and rice wine are commonly offered as part of the celebration. These drinks are not only refreshing but also carry symbolic meanings of purity and respect.

• Tea is often served to guests and used in the wedding tea ceremony or other ceremonial rituals. It symbolizes respect, humility, and the purification of the soul. The tea offered at the Incense Festival may be paired with a variety of traditional sweets, providing a fitting conclusion to the feast.
• Rice wine, on the other hand, is a potent and traditional Vietnamese drink that is often served at the end of the meal. It is believed to bring good fortune and joy to the celebrants and is often enjoyed in small cups, shared among family members and guests.

The offering of tea and rice wine is not just about quenching thirst but also about connecting the physical and spiritual worlds, providing both nourishment and blessings for the participants.

Conclusion

The Incense Festival is a time for reflection, gratitude, and celebration. Food, as one of the most important elements of the festival, plays a central role in both the honoring of ancestors and the celebration of life. From the symbolic sticky rice cakes to the nourishing meat dishes and refreshing sweet treats, each dish is carefully chosen for its cultural significance, offering blessings of health, wealth, prosperity, and harmony.

The food served at the Incense Festival represents the deep connection between the living and the dead, the spiritual and the physical, and the individual and the community. By preparing and sharing these traditional dishes, families honor their ancestors while reinforcing the bonds of unity, respect, and love that are central to Vietnamese culture.

Whether enjoyed as part of the ritual offerings or as part of the joyous celebration, the foods of the Incense Festival are a reflection of the rich cultural heritage and enduring traditions of Vietnam. Through these culinary practices, the festival brings together families, communities, and generations, ensuring that the customs of the past continue to thrive and enrich the lives of those who participate.