10 Tet dishes of southern Vietnamese people

Tet Nguyen Dan, or simply Tet, is the Vietnamese Lunar New Year and the most important holiday in Vietnam. It is the time to join in ancestor worship and family reunions with rich and diversified culinary traditions for people in Southern Vietnam. Sweetness, tropical influences, and a liberal use of fresh ingredients mark southern Vietnamese dishes. Here are 10 traditional Tet dishes that bring unique flavors to the celebration.

1. Banh Tet (Tet Sticky Rice Cake)

Of all the dishes in Southern Vietnam during Tet, Banh Tet is one of the most iconic. This cylindrical sticky rice cake is wrapped in banana leaves and filled with mung beans and pork belly.

Banh Tet (Source: Food is four letter words)

Sweet versions are sometimes made with bananas or coconut filling. It gets boiled for hours until fragrant and chewy in texture. It represents Earth in Vietnamese culture and hence forms an essential offering on family altars during Tet.

2. Thit Kho Trung (Caramelized Pork and Eggs)

Thit Kho Trung is a must-have dish during Tet in Southern Vietnam, in which braised pork and boiled eggs are cooked in coconut water and caramel sauce.

Thit kho trung (Source: Euro cook)

The food will have a sweet, rich, and savory taste with the slight sweetness of coconut water. It is normally served with pickled vegetables and white rice to mean prosperity and being together.

3. Canh Kho Qua (Bitter Melon Soup)

This soup, made from the bitter melon stuffed, carries a lot of significance during the Tet. The bitterness is said to mean that all the hardships have passed, and a more promising year will follow. It is filled with minced pork, mushrooms, and glass noodles, making this a very healthy and filling dish.

Canh Kho Qua (Source: Youtube)

4. Cu Kieu (Pickled Scallion Heads)

In the South, another common Tet side dish is pickled scallion heads, also known as Cu Kieu. The scallions are preserved in sugar and vinegar, with a sour-slightly sweet taste, which goes really well with richer dishes such as Thit Kho Trung or grilled meats. The bright white and green colors of Cu Kieu are also symbolic of renewal and rebirth.

Cu Kieu (Source: Nguyen Kim)

5. Lap Xuong (Chinese Sausage)

Lap Xuong or Chinese sausage is one of the favored ingredients in Tet. Sweet and savory, these sausages-mostly made of pork and seasoned with soy sauce, sugar, and rice wine-are stir-fried or steamed and served with glutinous rice or Banh Tet, adding an umami-filled delight in every meal in Southern Vietnam.

Lap Xuong (Source: Huong Viet Mart)

Read more: Southern Vietnam Tour 10 days: Highlights Exploration

6. Tom Kho Tau (Braised Shrimp)

Braised shrimp, or Tom Kho Tau, is also a popular Tet dish in Southern Vietnam. The shrimp are braised in sweet and savory sauce with fish sauce, sugar, and coconut water.

Tom Kho Tau (Source: Youtube)

The bright orange color of the dish is auspicious for prosperity and good luck, which is why it's such a favorite during Tet.

7. Goi Tom Thit (Shrimp and Pork Salad)

This refreshing salad combines boiled shrimp, sliced pork, and various fresh vegetables such as cucumber, carrots, and herbs in a delicious mix, dressed with a sharp fish sauce-based dressing and sprinkled with crushed peanuts. Goi Tom Thit provides a lighter and fresher respite from all the heavy foods served during Tet.

Goi Tom Thit (Source: Youtube)

8. Cha Lua (Vietnamese Pork Sausage)

Cha Lua is the steamed pork sausage, wrapped up in banana leaves, sometimes contained within Banh Tet itself or given as a different entity with a serving of rice with pickled vegetables. Because of its creamy texture and neutrality, it is an instant crowd-pleaser and 'must-have' during Tet.

Cha Lua (Source: Shop ban cac loai nuoc sot)

9. Xoi Gac (Red Sticky Rice)

Xoi Gac, made from the red gac fruit, is probably the most visually striking and symbolic Tet dishes. This bright red color symbolizes happiness, fortune, and prosperity. This glutinous rice dish tastes a bit sweet and is often served alongside Cha Lua or shredded coconut, giving it a festive and delicious flavor in a Tet feast.

Xoi Gac (Source: VN Express)

10. Mut Tet (Tet Candied Fruits)

Mut Tet is a variety of candied fruits and seeds that are a tradition during Tet, symbolizing the sweetness of life. The most common options include candied coconut, ginger, kumquat, and lotus seeds. These treats are not only enjoyed as snacks but also offered to guests during Tet visits, symbolizing hospitality and good fortune.

Mut Tet (Source: Momo)

Cultural Significance of Tet Dishes

From good fortune and luck to renewal and reunion, each dish prepared during Tet has a deep cultural meaning and symbol. The preparation of the dishes is very often a family affair, creating a sense of unity and joy in being together to cook and share stories.

Conclusion

The bold flavors and freshness of the culinary traditions of Southern Vietnam are all about Tet. These 10 dishes are not just food but are a reflection of cultural values and hopes for the year ahead. Whether it's enjoying Banh Tet with family or savoring the sweetness of Mut Tet, these dishes make Tet truly special and memorable. Are you ready to be dazzled by the colors, flavors, and traditions of Tet in Southern Vietnam? Let Asia King Travel help you build an unforgettable journey to explore rich culture, delicious cuisine, and warm hospitality. Let us help you create your dream Tet adventure!

Read more: Lunar New Year Cuisine in Vietnam: Unique Regional Flavors