The Lunar New Year, or Tết as it is known in Vietnam, is one of the most important and celebrated holidays in many East and Southeast Asian cultures. This time of year is not only an occasion for family reunions, festivities, and honoring ancestors, but it is also a period when food plays a crucial role in welcoming good fortune, health, and prosperity for the year ahead. The foods eaten during Tết are more than just delicious dishes; they carry deep symbolic meanings, with each food item representing a particular wish or blessing for the coming year.

In this article, we will explore the lucky foods traditionally eaten during Tết in Vietnam and other parts of Asia. These foods are thought to bring good luck, health, and wealth, and they are integral to the celebration of the New Year. By understanding the symbolism behind these foods, you can bring a touch of tradition and good fortune into your own Tết celebrations.

1. Bánh Chưng and Bánh Tét: The Square and Round Rice Cakes

Bánh Chưng and Bánh Tét are two traditional rice cakes that are indispensable during Tết in Vietnam. These cakes are made of glutinous rice, pork, and mung beans, wrapped in banana leaves, and then steamed or boiled. Despite being made with similar ingredients, the shape and preparation method of these cakes differ depending on the region.

Symbolism of Bánh Chưng and Bánh Tét

• Bánh Chưng is square-shaped, symbolizing the Earth, which in traditional Vietnamese belief is flat. The square shape represents stability, balance, and harmony with nature.
• Bánh Tét is cylindrical, symbolizing the sky, and is thought to represent the cyclical nature of life.

Both of these rice cakes symbolize the balance between the Earth and the sky, a concept that is central to many Asian philosophies. By eating these rice cakes during Tết, people hope to bring harmony, stability, and protection to their families in the coming year.

2. Pickled Onions (Dưa Hành): A Tangy Treat for Good Health

Pickled onions, or dưa hành, are a traditional accompaniment to the savory dishes served during Tết. These onions are often marinated in a mixture of vinegar, sugar, and salt, giving them a sweet and sour flavor. In Vietnam, they are typically eaten with Bánh Chưng and other foods.

Symbolism of Pickled Onions

The sharp, tangy taste of pickled onions is symbolic of the sharpness needed to cut through negative energy and bring clarity in the new year. It is also believed that pickled onions help purify the body and soul, promoting good health for the coming months. This is particularly important during Tết, when people aim to cleanse themselves of the old year’s negativity and start fresh.

3. Vietnamese Boiled Chicken (Gà Luộc): A Symbol of Prosperity and Longevity

Boiled chicken, or gà luộc, is another staple food of the Tết holiday. It is often served with fresh herbs and accompanied by dipping sauces made from fish sauce, lime, and chili. The chicken is typically prepared whole, often with the head and feet still attached, as a symbol of completeness and prosperity.

Symbolism of Boiled Chicken

In Vietnamese culture, the chicken symbolizes prosperity, happiness, and longevity. The chicken’s head and feet represent vitality, and its presence during the Tết feast is believed to bring good fortune and ensure the family’s health in the coming year. Eating chicken during Tết is thought to encourage a prosperous and fulfilling life ahead, with the chicken representing both vitality and the protection of the home.

4. Sticky Rice with Lotus Seeds (Xôi Sen): Purity and Good Luck

Sticky rice with lotus seeds, or xôi sen, is a popular dish served during Tết. The sticky rice is prepared by steaming glutinous rice with lotus seeds, which are known for their calming properties and association with purity and spirituality.

Symbolism of Xôi Sen

The lotus flower is a powerful symbol in many cultures, particularly in Buddhism, where it represents spiritual growth, enlightenment, and purity. The lotus grows out of muddy water but remains pristine, symbolizing the idea of rising above life’s challenges to achieve a higher state of being. By consuming sticky rice with lotus seeds during Tết, it is believed that one can bring purity, serenity, and a sense of spiritual renewal into their lives for the year ahead.

5. Spring Rolls (Chả Giò): New Beginnings and Wealth

Spring rolls, or chả giò, are another favorite during Tết. These fried rolls are typically filled with a mixture of ground pork, shrimp, mushrooms, and vegetables, then wrapped in rice paper and fried to a golden crisp. They are often served as an appetizer or snack during the Tết celebrations.

Symbolism of Spring Rolls

Spring rolls are thought to symbolize wealth and prosperity. Their cylindrical shape resembles coins, which are a symbol of money and good fortune in many cultures. By eating spring rolls during Tết, it is believed that you can attract wealth and financial success in the coming year. The crispy texture also represents a fresh, new beginning, and the abundance of ingredients in the rolls symbolizes abundance in all aspects of life.

6. Grapefruit (Bưởi): Abundance and Fertility

Grapefruit, or bưởi, is a common fruit served during Tết. Its large size and vibrant color make it a favorite in both decorations and meals. The fruit is often offered at family altars as a symbol of abundance and blessings for the coming year.

Symbolism of Grapefruit

In Vietnamese culture, grapefruit is often associated with prosperity and abundance due to its size and fullness. The fruit’s round shape represents completeness, while its sweet, juicy flesh symbolizes the promise of a fruitful year ahead. Eating grapefruit during Tết is believed to bring a bountiful harvest and ensure financial stability and good fortune.

7. Sweet Rice Pudding with Coconut (Chè): Sweetness and Harmony

Sweet rice pudding, or chè, is a beloved dessert enjoyed during Tết. This dish is made by cooking sticky rice with coconut milk and sugar, often with added fruits or beans for flavor. It is a symbol of sweetness and good fortune in the new year.

Symbolism of Chè

The sweetness of chè represents the desire for a sweet and harmonious life in the coming year. It is a food that symbolizes unity and togetherness, as families often share a bowl of this dessert during Tết celebrations. The combination of coconut and rice is also thought to bring abundance and wealth, as the coconut’s round shape signifies completeness, and the rice symbolizes the harvest and fertility of the land.

8. Sweet Candied Fruits (Mứt Tết): Joy and Luck

Mứt Tết, or candied fruits, are another essential treat during Tết. These fruits, such as kumquat, coconut, and lotus seeds, are candied in sugar syrup and often served as snacks or offered to guests during the New Year celebrations.

Symbolism of Mứt Tết

Candied fruits are symbolic of sweetness and happiness. The act of sharing these treats is believed to bring joy and positive energy into the home. Each fruit used in Mứt Tết has its own meaning: kumquats represent good luck, while lotus seeds symbolize fertility and prosperity. The sweet nature of these treats also conveys wishes for a life filled with joy and abundance.

9. Steamed Fish (Cá Hấp): Longevity and Success

Steamed fish, or cá hấp, is a common dish during Tết, often served as part of the family feast. The fish is typically steamed with herbs and spices and served whole, representing vitality and prosperity.

Symbolism of Steamed Fish

Fish are commonly associated with wealth and abundance in many Asian cultures. In Vietnamese culture, the word for fish, cá, sounds similar to the word for “surplus” or “leftover,” which is why fish are believed to bring prosperity and an abundant harvest. Eating fish during Tết is thought to ensure success and wealth in the new year. The fish’s smooth, flowing movements also symbolize the smooth flow of life and good fortune.

Conclusion: Bringing Good Luck to the New Year with Symbolic Foods

The foods eaten during Tết carry deep cultural and spiritual significance. They are not only a way to celebrate the holiday but also a way to ensure good fortune, health, and prosperity for the year ahead. From the square Bánh Chưng symbolizing the Earth to the sweet rice pudding representing sweetness and unity, each dish has a unique meaning that ties back to the hopes and wishes of the Vietnamese people.

As you prepare for your own Tết celebrations, consider incorporating these lucky foods into your meals. Whether you’re enjoying a plate of boiled chicken for vitality, savoring spring rolls for wealth, or indulging in sweet rice pudding for harmony, each bite carries a wish for a brighter, more prosperous future.

May this Lunar New Year bring you and your family an abundance of health, happiness, and good fortune, and may the foods of Tết guide you toward a year full of blessings and success.