Tet Cuisine: Discovering the Culinary Culture of Vietnam's Three Regions

Vietnamese Tet culinary culture is extremely diverse. Each region of Vietnam has its own distinctive traditional dishes, rich in local identity. Traveling during this time, you’ll have the chance to enjoy unique Tet cuisine.

Let’s explore with Vietjet the Tet cuisine of the North, Central, and South, so you don’t miss the chance to taste delicious dishes from across Vietnam.

Tet Cuisine: Discovering the Culinary Culture of Three Regions

Discover the Tet culinary culture of Vietnam through the iconic dishes from each region below.

1. Northern Tet Cuisine

1.1 Characteristics of Northern Tet Cuisine

An indispensable feature of Tet in the North is the meticulously prepared feast tray. Tet dishes in the North usually have harmonious colors and mild, subtle flavors.

1.2 Famous Tet Dishes of the North

Below are some suggested Northern Tet dishes. You can enjoy them or buy as gifts if you travel to the Northern provinces during Tet At Ty.

Banh Chung (Square sticky rice cake): This dish is essential in every Tet feast in the North. The square shape represents earth, symbolizing stability, while the filling of sticky rice, mung beans, and pork belly represents the harmonious interaction of the five elements. To enhance the flavor, Banh Chung is often served with pickled onions or pickled shallots.
Thit Dong (Jellied pork): This dish is made from pork, chicken, wood ear mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, and seasonings, all simmered until tender. It is then set to cool and solidify in the cold air. Jellied pork is not only delicious but also highly nutritious.
Xoi Gac (Gac sticky rice): One of the delicious dishes in the Tet feast of the North, made from glutinous rice and ripe gac fruit, giving it a bright red-orange color. Xoi Gac symbolizes good luck and is enjoyed to start the New Year with fortune.
Canh Bong Tha (Pork skin soup): A signature dish that cannot be missed in Hanoi's Tet feast. It is elaborately made from pork or chicken bone broth, pork paste, and assorted vegetables. A bowl of hot soup is ideal for the chilly Northern New Year and good for health. The floating pieces in the soup symbolize prosperity and abundance.

D12 -6: Tet Cuisine: Discovering the Culinary Culture of Three Regions

Banh Chung is an indispensable dish in the Tet feast of the Northern people.

See more: What specialties not to miss at Bai Chay Ha Long Night Market?

2. Central Vietnam Tet Cuisine

2.1 Characteristics of Central Tet Cuisine

Compared to the North, Tet cuisine in the Central region is equally elaborate and meticulous. The dishes retain the spicy and flavorful characteristics of Central cuisine, stimulating the taste buds. Additionally, people here pay great attention to selecting the freshest ingredients so you can fully savor the natural flavors.

Banh Tet is the symbol of Tet in Central and Southern Vietnam, similar to Banh Chung in the North.

2.2 Famous Tet Dishes of Central Vietnam

If you travel to the Central provinces during Tet, don’t miss these typical dishes to better understand Vietnamese Tet culinary culture!

Banh Tet (Cylindrical sticky rice cake): The symbol of Tet in Central Vietnam, similar to Banh Chung in the North. Banh Tet is cylindrical, wrapped in banana leaves, with fillings of mung beans and pork belly.
Pickled Vegetables (Dua Mon): A sweet and sour, crunchy side dish that is indispensable in the Tet feast. It is made from various vegetables such as carrots, papaya, pickled shallots, etc.
Pork soaked in fish sauce: This dish is not only easy to make but also very flavorful. Pork is soaked in fish sauce with various spices until it turns a beautiful pink-red, with a tender and flavorful texture. It is often enjoyed with steamed rice or rolled in rice paper.
Braised pork with radish: A rustic dish that pairs perfectly with rice. The sweetness of radish blends with the savory pork, creating an irresistible taste. People in Central Vietnam often eat this dish with Banh Tet or steamed rice.
Beef sausage (Cha/Gio Bo): The Tet feast in Central Vietnam usually includes this dish. The main ingredients are beef and pork fat, finely ground and seasoned with dill. When eaten, it has a chewy texture and rich flavor, combining the natural sweetness of beef with the mild fattiness of pork fat. Served with pepper or fish sauce, it will delight any palate.
Banh Thuan (Thuan cake): Also known as Banh Thurng, this spongy, sweet, and aromatic cake is used to treat guests during Tet in Central Vietnam. It brings a delightful sweetness to your holiday.

See more: The unique and delicious culinary culture of Quang Nam

3. Southern Tet Cuisine

3.1 Characteristics of Southern Tet Cuisine

Southern Tet cuisine is known for its sweet and rich flavors, reflecting the warmth and sincerity of the locals. Southern dishes often combine a variety of ingredients to create a unique taste, and Tet dishes are no exception. Especially, Southern Tet cuisine is not only about delicious food but also embodies cultural beauty.

Southern Banh Tet comes with many delicious sweet fillings.

3.2 Famous Southern Tet Dishes

To truly appreciate the unique culture of Southern people, don't miss the following Southern Tet specialties. You can also consider bringing these delicious Tet dishes home as gifts after your Tet travels.

Banh Tet: This is an indispensable symbol of Southern Tet. Banh Tet is wrapped in banana leaves, with fillings usually including mung beans, pork fat, or sweet fillings like banana. The soft, chewy sticky rice and the rich filling make Banh Tet a favorite in every household. In many localities, Banh Tet is naturally colored with various leaves, creating an attractive and meaningful appearance.
Thit kho tau (Braised pork and eggs): A hallmark of Southern Tet cuisine, this dish features unforgettable flavors, with every piece of pork infused with the sweetness of coconut water and paired with fragrant, rich duck eggs. Thit kho tau is often served with steamed rice or Banh Tet.
Lap xuong (Chinese sausage): The harmony of pork, fat, and sophisticated spices creates an enticing taste that wins over all diners. Notably, lap xuong is red and shaped like a string of coins, symbolizing wishes for wealth and luck in the new year. Thus, lap xuong is a staple Tet delicacy and is often chosen as a lucky and meaningful Tet gift for visiting guests.
Pickled scallion heads with dried shrimp: This dish is indispensable at Southern Tet meals. The sourness of pickled scallion heads balances out the richness of other dishes and enhances their flavor.

Thit kho tau (braised pork and eggs) is a must-have for Southern Tet cuisine.

4. Notes When Enjoying Tet Cuisine from the Three Regions

4.1 Choose Suitable Dishes:

According to your taste: Each region has its own specialties with distinct flavors, and everyone has different preferences. So, choose dishes that suit your palate. For example, if you can’t eat spicy food, let the restaurant know in advance to reduce the spiciness when enjoying Central Tet cuisine. Or if you don’t like food that’s too sweet or are on a low-sugar diet, take note when tasting Southern Tet dishes.
Don’t overeat: While Tet dishes are very tempting, avoid overeating to prevent bloating and indigestion.
Stay hydrated: Don’t forget to drink enough water to keep your body healthy and help digestion.

4.2 Suggested Dining Locations During Tet

To fully explore the culinary culture of each region, you can visit traditional markets, food streets, family-run eateries, or restaurants. Each option has its own advantages and limitations. Depending on your schedule, you can refer to the suggestions below:

Traditional markets: You can find many local specialties at traditional markets. However, markets usually close on the first and second days of Tet. On the third day, most markets reopen, but some stalls may still be closed.
Food streets: Food streets often gather many eateries serving a variety of dishes. Street food is a great way to experience the local food culture. Most food streets remain open throughout Tet, catering to the eating and entertainment needs of many travelers. However, be sure to choose clean and hygienic places that ensure food safety.
Restaurants: Many restaurants offer special Tet menus with traditional dishes, providing comfort and a more upscale dining space for you and your family. Most restaurants also operate throughout Tet. You should make reservations in advance to avoid running out of tables and check if the restaurant adds a holiday service fee so you can budget accordingly.
Family-run eateries: These eateries often have a cozy atmosphere and serve rustic dishes. The flavors of these specialties are also more authentic and unique. However, depending on the place, some family eateries may close throughout Tet. Be mindful of this.

4.3 Other Notes

Do your research in advance: Before traveling, check the opening hours of restaurants and eateries, especially during Tet, to plan your schedule proactively. In addition, buying Tet specialties as gifts is a must when traveling during Tet, so check the opening times of souvenir stores.
Prepare food to take along: If you can’t find suitable places to eat, you can prepare food to bring with you to ensure you have something to eat during Tet.
Take advantage of food delivery apps: Food delivery apps can help you easily order food to your hotel or homestay without having to search for places in person. However, check customer reviews on the app to ensure quality, and note that delivery costs may be higher during Tet.

We hope these suggestions on Tet cuisine from the three regions will be useful and help you prepare better for your spring trip. If you haven’t bought your 2025 Tet flight ticket, don’t forget to book with Vietjet today. To serve the peak travel demand during Tet, from September, Vietjet has opened early sales of up to 2.6 million flight tickets for the period from 15/01/2025 to 12/02/2025 with a variety of routes.