Brian Jeffrey
The end-of-year offering, known as lễ cúng tất niên, is a vital tradition in Vietnam, typically observed on the last day of the lunar calendar.
This ceremony honors ancestors and signifies the transition from the old year to the new, serving as an occasion for families to unite and celebrate the upcoming Lunar New Year.
Key Components of the Offering
A well-prepared meal and necessary ceremonial items like fruits, betel leaves, incense, candles, flowers, rice, salt, alcohol, and tea are integral to the year-end offering.
Culinary expert Pham Thi Anh Tuyet notes that offerings may include vegetarian or meat options, shaped by family traditions and local practices. Families may prepare elaborate meals or simpler versions depending on their resources and time.
The offering can be conducted indoors or outdoors, with unique presentation styles across Vietnam’s Northern, Central, and Southern regions.
Northern Vietnam
The northern feast features traditional items like red gac sticky rice, banh chung (square sticky rice cake), pickled onions, spring rolls, boiled chicken, and jellied meat, which stands out as a local delicacy suited for winter.
Alongside, families may prepare stir-fried vegetables, bamboo shoot soup, and a dish of vermicelli with chicken gizzards.
Historically, offerings in Hanoi were structured around four bowls and plates to symbolize balance. Wealthier families often expanded this to six or eight. Today, contemporary families adapt this tradition to fit their lifestyles while preserving its essence.
Central Vietnam
Year-end offerings in Central Vietnam showcase the region’s rich culinary heritage and vibrant flavors.
Common dishes include boiled chicken, sticky rice, sweet soups (chè), banh tet (cylindrical sticky rice cake), fermented shrimp, fried fish, and salads.
Uniquely, preserved or marinated meats, like pork in fish sauce, are also featured, reflecting the region’s culinary creativity and preference for bold tastes.
Southern Vietnam
The southern version of the offering is characterized by its symbolic dishes, such as braised pork belly with eggs and bitter melon soup filled with minced pork.
As explained by Anh Tuyet, these dishes embody deep meanings; the round eggs and square pork represent harmony and prosperity for the new year. Bitter melon soup symbolizes the shedding of past hardships, offering hope for a better future.
Southern offerings often include shredded chicken salad, dried shrimp with pickled scallions, and a variety of sweet delights, reflecting the area’s agricultural abundance.
Regardless of regional variations in dishes and customs, the year-end offering remains a cherished cultural tradition, fostering family connections through shared gratitude and aspirations for the future.
Ngoc Lai
