What's special about the Vietnamese New Year's Eve dinner?

(CLO) In the Vietnamese psyche, the New Year's Eve dinner, usually held on the afternoon of the 30th of Tet (or the 29th if the month is short), is not only a reunion meal but also a sacred ritual to bid farewell to the old year, welcome the new year, and remember ancestors.

Although each region has its own way of preparing it, the New Year's Eve dinner table still features traditional dishes that are rich in cultural meaning and family spirit.

In Northern Vietnam, the New Year's Eve meal is usually lavish and elaborate, featuring familiar dishes such as banh chung (sticky rice cake), boiled chicken, gio lua (pork sausage), nem ran (fried spring rolls), bamboo shoot and pork knuckle soup, or fish ball soup.

Banh chung (sticky rice cake) – a symbol of the earth – is almost indispensable during Tet (Lunar New Year), expressing gratitude to heaven, earth, and ancestors. A whole boiled chicken, displayed on a large plate, symbolizes abundance and a prosperous new beginning. A steaming bowl of bamboo shoot soup or fish ball soup signifies warmth and togetherness during the first days of spring.

The New Year's Eve dinner (on the 30th day of the 12th lunar month) still features traditional dishes that are rich in cultural significance and family spirit. (Photo: collected)

In Central Vietnam, due to harsh weather conditions and a tradition of frugality, the New Year's Eve feast often features dishes that can be preserved for a long time, such as banh tet (sticky rice cake), marinated pork, pickled vegetables, tre (fermented pork), spring rolls, and various types of fermented pork sausage. The rich, spicy flavors characteristic of Central Vietnamese cuisine are also clearly present on the New Year's Eve feast. Banh tet – a variation of banh chung (square sticky rice cake) – is cut into round slices, symbolizing completeness and fullness.

In the South, the New Year's Eve feast is more elaborate, featuring sticky rice cakes (bánh tét), braised pork, bitter melon soup stuffed with meat, and pickled shallots with dried shrimp. The bitter melon soup, in particular, carries the symbolic meaning of "bitter melon," conveying the hope that the difficulties of the past year will pass, making way for a smooth new year.

Braised pork with duck eggs and rich coconut milk symbolizes abundance and prosperity. Pickled shallots and pickled bean sprouts served alongside help balance the flavors and are indispensable dishes during Tet in Southern Vietnam.

Although each region has its own unique dishes, the greatest commonality of the year-end feast remains the moment of reunion, when family members gather together, closing out the old year and welcoming the new one. Photo: tuoitrethudo

Despite the differences in dishes, the greatest commonality of the year-end meal is family reunion. This is an occasion for family members, even those working far away, to try to return home, prepare the meal together, arrange the ancestral altar, and share stories of the past year. Before the meal, the host usually lights incense to worship their ancestors, expressing respect and praying for a peaceful and prosperous new year.

Nowadays, the modern pace of life makes preparing the New Year's Eve dinner more flexible. Many families may simplify the dishes or order ready-made food to save time. However, the core spirit remains unchanged: respect for tradition and the desire to preserve family values.

Therefore, the New Year's Eve meal is not simply about food. It is about memories, a thread connecting generations, and a moment of reflection amidst the hustle and bustle of life. In the subtle scent of incense, the joyful laughter and familiar dishes, Vietnamese people together close out the old year, opening up hope for a new spring that is peaceful, serene, and warm.

Source: https://congluan.vn/mam-com-tat-nien-cua-nguoi-viet-co-gi-dac-biet-10330605.html