Discover the Tet Feast of Central Vietnam

Have you ever wondered whether the customs and culture of each region are different or the same? What goes on the Tet feast table in each region? Join VN Cooking to discover the Tet feast of Central Vietnam! 

Tet is a time of togetherness, when those living far from home get to return to their families and catch up around the Tet feast. Wishes for a new year of plenty, prosperity, comfort and happiness are expressed through the dishes on the Tet table, which is why it is always prepared generously and with everything it should have. 

While people in the North welcome spring with peach blossom branches, green banh chung, fatty pork and pickled shallots, in Central Vietnam people eagerly greet the season with branches of yellow apricot blossom, banh tet, dua mon pickles and nem chua. 

Banh tet

Banh tet (cylindrical sticky rice cake) is a must at Tet for people in Central Vietnam, symbolizing the union of heaven and earth. Unlike banh chung in the North, which is wrapped in dong leaves, here the cakes are wrapped in banana leaves. Despite the different wrapping, banh tet keeps its signature green color and soft, delicious texture. 

Dua mon (mixed pickles)

Instead of the pickled shallots of the North, Central Vietnam favors dua mon. A combination of ingredients such as papaya, daikon, carrot and pickled scallion bulbs, blended with seasonings like sugar, salt and fish sauce, creates an appealing, colorful dish in many different shapes that is simply irresistible.

Making it takes great care and finesse, as the ingredients are carved into all sorts of shapes. Dua mon is served with banh tet – a perfect pairing on the Central Vietnamese Tet table. Its tangy, gently sweet and crunchy bite leaves an unforgettable impression, a flavor all its own that you won't find anywhere else. 

Nem chua 

If you are from Central Vietnam, you are surely no stranger to nem chua (fermented pork rolls) on the Tet table. They are made from finely ground, seasoned pork wrapped in guava leaves and left to ferment for a few days until sour and firm. 

We hope this article from VN Cooking has answered your question about what goes on the Tet feast table in Central Vietnam. With Tet just around the corner, we hope you've picked up plenty of ideas to show off your cooking skills with delicious dishes for a joyful Tet reunion meal, full of happiness with family, friends and loved ones.