Brian Jeffrey
The Tet celebration in northern Vietnam is distinguished by its careful presentation, bright colors, and rich tastes. Every dish is prepared with thoughtfulness, embodying the spirit of Tet and the hopes for a thriving new year.
The Tet celebration of 2025 offers families a chance to come together, share warmth, and enjoy a beautifully arranged traditional meal. Although Tet feasts vary by region in Vietnam, the northern style showcases the cultural and culinary heritage of that area.
Culinary expert Pham Thi Anh Tuyet from Hanoi highlights that the northern Tet feast prioritizes a balance of flavors and colors, symbolizing the four seasons and directions.
Traditionally, the feast includes at least four bowls and four plates, representing stability and harmony. Families with more resources may add to this, featuring six, eight, or more bowls and plates for a celebratory touch.
The typical four bowls might include: Pork leg soup with bamboo shoots; Mixed vegetable soup; Vermicelli soup; Pork and mushroom soup.
Some families opt to prepare additional dishes such as slow-cooked kohlrabi, whole-stuffed pigeon soup, or stewed chicken, while wealthier families might include luxury items like abalone or shark fin soup.
The four plates usually showcase: Boiled chicken; Sliced pork; Pork sausage; Cinnamon pork rolls.
Other dishes might encompass jellied meat (a winter favorite), pork head terrine, stir-fried almond flakes, caramelized fish with galangal, and refreshing salads made with kohlrabi or water celery. Crispy spring rolls are frequently included as a popular treat.
Desserts round out the meal with a variety of sweets such as candied lotus seeds, kumquat preserves, ginger candy, and sticky mung bean pudding, creating an appealing and diverse display on small bowls or plates.
The dishes that grace a northern Tet table hold profound symbolic meanings, reflecting the family’s aspirations for the new year.
Banh chung, or square sticky rice cake, is a central element of Tet, filled with mung beans and pork, wrapped in green dong leaves, and tied with bamboo strings. Its square shape signifies the earth and Vietnam’s agricultural roots.
Jellied meat is a winter classic in northern Vietnam, with its clear look symbolizing purity and hopes for a fresh start in the upcoming year.
Boiled chicken is a key dish, representing desires for good weather and a smooth year ahead.
Red gac sticky rice adds a splash of color to the feast, symbolizing good fortune and joy in the new year.
Pork sausage and pork head terrine are significant not only for their taste but also for their cultural importance. The pork sausage is crafted from finely ground pork to keep its natural sweetness, while pork head terrine is made from the head’s lean and gelatinous parts, resulting in a rich flavor.
Mixed vegetable soup is another staple of northern Tet, created by simmering vegetables with fish maw, making it both nutritious and visually delightful.
Moreover, spring rolls, with their crispy exterior and savory filling of pork and vegetables, embody warmth and prosperity.
Though Tet cuisine has evolved and diversified over time, many families continue to cherish traditional feasts, upholding cultural values and expressing their wishes through these beloved dishes.
