Discover the most delicious Vietnamese dishes during Lunar New Year. Banh Chung, Gio Lua, Tet jams, and more traditional specialties await you!

Lunar New Year (Tết Nguyên Đán) is the most important holiday of the year for Vietnamese people, marking the end of the old year and welcoming the new one. It is a time for family reunions, honoring ancestors, and praying for good fortune in the coming year. Tết would not be complete without its signature dishes, which are not only delicious but also carry meanings of prosperity, health, and abundance. Each dish on the traditional New Year’s feast reflects the wish for a peaceful and lucky new year. Let’s join LV Travel in revisiting the classic Tết delicacies that can be found on nearly every family’s holiday table.

1. The General Meaning Behind Traditional Tết Dishes

Each dish enjoyed during the Lunar New Year not only brings delightful flavors but also carries heartfelt wishes for the coming year. These dishes symbolize the bond between generations, filial piety toward ancestors, and the connection between humans and nature. Tết is not only a time for family reunions but also an occasion to express gratitude and pray for good things to come in the new year.

In addition, Tết dishes play an important role in preserving and protecting the nation’s traditional cultural values. Passed down from generation to generation, these foods carry not only distinctive flavors but also meaningful stories of history and culture.

2. Traditional Dishes of the Lunar New Year

2.1 Banh Chung, Banh Tet - The Symbol of Tet

Among the traditional dishes on the Tet feast, food is not only meant to be enjoyed but also to convey profound cultural messages. One of the most important dishes is Banh Chung—and its southern counterpart, Banh Tet. These traditional cakes carry the wish for harmony between heaven and earth and symbolize a warm, happy, and united family in the new year.

Wrapped in dong or banana leaves, the square Banh Chung and cylindrical Banh Tet evoke the image of a mother embracing her child, reflecting the Vietnamese desire for family reunion during Tet. The green sticky-rice layer with golden mung bean filling also recalls the lush color of rice fields, symbolizing the hope for stability, peace, and a prosperous life in the coming spring.

Banh Chung is an essential dish on the Tet table, especially in northern Vietnam. Made from sticky rice, mung beans, and pork wrapped tightly in dong leaves, it represents the Earth and expresses gratitude to ancestors. Aside from its symbolic meaning, the combination of sticky rice, beans, and pork creates a rich, comforting flavor that embodies both cultural and spiritual values of the traditional Vietnamese New Year.

2.2 Gio Lua and Gio Thu - Lucky Sausages

Gio Lua and Gio Thu are traditional Vietnamese sausages often served during Tet to honor guests or placed on ancestor altars. Made from finely ground pork, seasoned, and wrapped tightly in banana leaves, these sausages are soft, fragrant, and full of flavor.

They symbolize luck and prosperity, bringing warmth and happiness to family gatherings. Gio Lua, with its smooth and delicate texture, represents purity and sincerity in the new year, while Gio Thu, made from a mix of pork, ear, mushroom, and spices, symbolizes abundance and the idea of having “plenty” throughout the year.

These dishes are also practical components of the Tet feast, as they can be preserved for several days and easily sliced to serve with pickled vegetables or sticky rice cakes. Their presence on the Tet table reflects hospitality, respect for tradition, and the hope for a prosperous and fulfilling year ahead.

2.3 Braised Pork with Eggs - A Symbol of Family Unity

Braised pork with eggs (Thịt kho hột vịt) is another indispensable dish during Tet. More than just pork and eggs simmered in coconut water, this dish carries deep symbolic meaning. It represents family togetherness, harmony, and the wish for happiness and good fortune in the new year.

Depending on each family’s recipe or regional tradition, the preparation may vary slightly. Some households use salted eggs instead of regular ones, while others add fresh coconut juice to enhance the flavor and give the dish a richer, more appealing color. No matter the variation, the tender pork, aromatic broth, and soft-boiled eggs create a comforting dish that embodies warmth, unity, and the spirit of Tet.

2.4 Braised Pork with Bamboo Shoots – A Comforting Tet Dish

Braised pork with bamboo shoots is a beloved traditional dish during Tet, especially in northern Vietnam. The tender bamboo shoots, slowly simmered until they absorb the rich flavors of the pork, create a hearty, aromatic, and nourishing dish that warms the whole family. The combination of the natural sweetness of bamboo shoots and the savory richness of the pork makes it a comforting staple on the Tet dining table.

This dish also carries cultural meaning. The layers of bamboo shoots symbolize growth, resilience, and the hope for new opportunities in the coming year. Meanwhile, the generous chunks of pork represent abundance and prosperity. Together, they create a dish that reflects family unity, gratitude, and the wish for a year filled with good fortune.

Often prepared in large portions so it can be enjoyed over several days, braised pork with bamboo shoots embodies the spirit of Tet - warmth, togetherness, and the celebration of tradition.

2.5 Pickled Onions and Pickled Shallots - Simple Yet Essential Tet Side Dishes

Pickled onions (dưa hành) and pickled shallots (củ kiệu muối) are simple yet familiar dishes that appear on the Tet table of many Vietnamese families. Dưa hành is made from fermented onions, offering a tangy, slightly spicy, and crunchy taste that pairs perfectly with rich meat dishes, helping to balance the heaviness. Củ kiệu, with its sweet–sour flavor and crisp texture, is often enjoyed alongside bánh chưng or bánh tét, adding brightness and contrast to the meal.

These pickled dishes symbolize simplicity, purity, and the wish for a clean, fresh, and energetic start to the new year. Their refreshing flavors not only enhance the Tet feast but also reflect the Vietnamese belief that the new year should begin with lightness, harmony, and balance

2.6 Xôi Gấc - The Lucky Red Sticky Rice

Xoi Gac is easily recognized by its vibrant red hue, a color that symbolizes luck, prosperity, and happiness in the new year. Made from sticky rice mixed with the rich, aromatic pulp of the gac fruit, this dish is a meaningful presence on the Tet table and is often given as a festive gift to relatives and friends.

The natural red color of the gac fruit is believed to bring good fortune, while the sticky texture of the rice represents unity and strong family bonds. With its subtly sweet flavor, soft texture, and eye-catching appearance, Xoi Gac adds a festive touch to any Tet celebration and expresses the hope for a bright, successful year ahead.

2.7 Nem Rán (Fried Spring Rolls) – A Northern Tet Tradition

Nem Rán, also known as fried spring rolls, are a beloved dish in northern Vietnam, especially during Tet. Crispy on the outside and savory on the inside, they are typically filled with a mixture of minced pork, vermicelli, mushrooms, and finely chopped vegetables.

This dish is more than just a flavorful treat; it carries symbolic meaning. Nem Rán represents wealth, abundance, and the idea of completeness, reflecting the hope for a prosperous and fulfilling year ahead. Served hot and golden, these spring rolls are perfect for family gatherings, bringing warmth, joy, and the spirit of reunion to the Tet table.

2.8 Tet Jams – Sweet Treats of Spring

Tet jams are an essential part of the Lunar New Year, often served to welcome guests or offered as festive gifts. Popular varieties include ginger, pumpkin, lotus seed, and coconut jams, each carrying the symbolic meaning of sweetness, happiness, and good fortune for the coming year.

Beyond their delightful flavors, Tet jams are also placed on ancestor altars as a gesture of respect and gratitude, reflecting the deep cultural tradition of honoring one’s forebears. Their vibrant colors and rich, natural sweetness not only enhance the festive atmosphere but also convey the hope for a joyful, prosperous, and harmonious year ahead.

2.9 Boiled Chicken - A Staple for Tet and Special Occasions

Boiled chicken is a traditional dish that appears on the table for many important celebrations, including weddings, engagements, milestone birthdays, housewarmings, and of course, Tet. The tender, fragrant chicken, often enjoyed with a simple dip of salt, pepper, and lime, creates a distinct and memorable flavor.

Because of its simplicity and delicious taste, boiled chicken has become an indispensable part of the Tet meal, symbolizing purity, prosperity, and family togetherness. Its presence on the festive table not only satisfies the appetite but also reflects the warmth, respect, and shared joy of celebrating special moments with loved ones.

The dishes of Tet are the heart of Vietnamese New Year celebrations. Each dish carries a rich history closely tied to the nation’s traditions and embodies profound cultural and spiritual meanings. Tet cuisine is not only diverse but also deeply symbolic. From Banh Chung, Gio Lua, Xoi Gac, to Tet jams and other traditional delicacies, every dish tells a story of luck, happiness, and family reunion.

Traveling with LV Travel during Tet offers a unique opportunity to fully experience Vietnamese culinary traditions. Visitors can savor authentic dishes, witness the careful preparation of the Tet feast, and gain a deeper understanding of the meanings behind these cultural customs. Each bite becomes more than just food—it is a connection to heritage, a wish for prosperity, and a celebration of togetherness.

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