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During Tet celebrations, as spring arrives, each region has its own unique customs, enriching our diverse cultural heritage. Among them, Northern Vietnam is considered the cradle nurturing the timeless cultural values of ancient Tet flavors, subtly embedded within every aspect of life, space, and cuisine. Here are some delicious Tet dishes from Northern Vietnam that contribute to the traditional Tet flavor of Vietnam.
Exquisite dishes brimming with the Tet flavor of Northern Vietnam
People in Northern Vietnam are meticulous and attentive, so besides preparing delicious dishes, the Tet feast also requires elaborate preparations with a variety of delicious Tet dishes. Despite the passing years, this land still retains a simple, modest way of life, true to the traditional charm of the Vietnamese people.
Banh Chung
From the legend of Lang Lieu offering Banh Chung and Banh Day to King Hung to express gratitude to heaven, earth, and ancestors, Banh Chung and Banh Day have become an indispensable traditional dish on Tet holidays in Northern Vietnam. Banh Chung is made from the familiar ingredients of rice and glutinous rice from the villages of Northern Vietnam.
Displaying Banh Chung is considered a traditional custom on Vietnamese Tet | Image: Collected
The harmonious combination of sticky rice, sweet mung beans, fatty pork, and mild pepper creates a round, fragrant, and delicious cake. Especially, the moment of gathering with family, waiting for the Banh Chung pot to be cooked on Tet holiday each year, is a cherished longing for many distant sons and daughters.
Exploring Hanoi or any part of Northern Vietnam during the traditional Tet festival guarantees a sweet, fulfilling, and prosperous experience with this dish. The fragrant aroma of gac fruit blends harmoniously with sticky rice and the delicious sweetness of coconut milk, leaving you enchanted.
Indulge in the Tradition of Pickled Onions
'Fatty meat, pickled onions, red couplets / A tethering pole, firecrackers, and green square cakes' - a familiar couplet that paints a vivid picture of the lively Tet atmosphere in ancient Northern Vietnamese villages. Among them, pickled onions hold a significant place on the festive table of the locals.
Pickled onions are an indispensable dish for Northern Vietnamese people during Tet | Image: Collected
Pickled onions, with its lightly spicy and tangy flavor, are often served alongside traditional dishes like banh chung or cured meats during Tet. Though not a main dish, Tet feast would feel incomplete without pickled onions.
Boiled chicken, a staple on Northern Vietnamese dinner tables, especially during celebrations. It symbolizes wishes for a warm, plentiful, and fulfilling year ahead.
Perfectly boiled chicken requires precise timing to ensure golden skin and juicy meat, fragrant yet tender. Neatly arranged on a plate, garnished with thinly sliced lime leaves, it epitomizes the flavors of Tet in the North.
Accompanying the Tet feast in Northern Vietnam, boiled chicken is an essential delicacy. Its aroma wafts through homes, promising a prosperous and joyous year.
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Pork head cheese and pork knuckle sausage
Pork knuckle sausage is made from minced pork, seasoned, wrapped in banana leaves, and boiled until cooked. Meanwhile, pork head cheese is made from minced pork head, finely chopped, sautéed with wood ear mushrooms, seasoned just right, then tightly wrapped while still hot. Skilled wrapping ensures firm and uniform sausages.
The crispy, tender texture and sweet flavor of each meaty bite will linger on your palate, irresistibly enticing. This dish not only delights the taste buds but also makes a thoughtful and fragrant gift that domestic travelers can give to friends and family during the annual traditional Tet holiday.
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Deep-fried Spring Rolls
While spring rolls are ubiquitous, to have the authentic taste of Tet, it has to be Northern-style spring rolls. Every ingredient is meticulously selected, finely chopped, seasoned just right, thoroughly mixed, then fried until golden and crispy, a feast for the eyes.
The crispy golden rice paper shell wraps around a mixture of meat, onions, carrots, wood ear mushrooms, and fragrant herbs, bound together by egg, served with pickled vegetables and fresh herbs, truly a delicious delight. This dish is easy to enjoy, even for foreign tourists, and is an essential dish in every kitchen during Tet.
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Delve into a variety of delectable soups.
In the array of Northern Tet dishes, soups are indispensable, with the most popular being squash blossom and bamboo shoot soup. Despite their diverse preparations, these soups share a sweet, savory essence from fresh vegetables and hearty broth.
These soup bowls, though unassuming, captivate with the vibrant hues of vegetables, enhancing the allure and flavor of the Northern Tet feast. Beyond mere sustenance, soups embody tradition, symbolizing wishes for plenty and prosperity across generations.
So here it is, Mytour has shared with you about the delicious Tet dishes of Northern Vietnam, which have become a tradition and essence of Vietnamese cuisine in particular and the world in general. Don't hesitate to book affordable Northern Vietnam tours from Mytour to enjoy these delicious dishes as well as the Tet atmosphere of the North. If you want to know more about Northern Vietnam travel programs or Tet Lunar New Year 2021 tours, feel free to call Mytour hotline 19003398 to get free assistance from Mytour staff!
