The holiday is known as Tết Nguyên Đán, which means 'Feast of the First Morning of the First Day.' and is commonly abbreviated as Tết. Like the Chinese, the Vietnamese have many customs and rituals around their celebration of this holiday, from special foods to family reunions. So, now is the time to learn more about Tết, to open our hearts and minds to Vietnamese culture and cuisine.
I've spoken to a couple Vietnamese women, who own restaurants, to provide some information about Tết and what it means to them. Tran Ngoc Lee, of Viet Citron in Burlington, and Sa Nguyen, of Soall Viet Kitchen in Beverly, were gracious enough to answer my questions. I've positively reviewed both of their restaurants during the past year with Viet Citron being one of my Favorite Restaurants of 2020, and Soall Viet Kitchen being my first restaurant review of 2021. Both earned my hearty recommendation.
Tran Ngoc Lee, of Viet Citron in Burlington
1. What is the meaning or significance of Tết to you?
Tết is a great time for multi-generations to connect through traditions. We gather to listen to family stories, making pickles, bánh tét / bánh chưng (steamed sticky rice cakes) all night. It’s a celebrations of spring time and renewal energy to bring good health and fortune to everyone.
2. Will your restaurant celebrate Tết in any way? Any special events? Special menu items?
We have the Tet’s special of Thit Kho Dua Gia (Braised pork & eggs w/ pickles). It’s one of the traditions that’s always on the Tet’s table. Kids get red envelopes w/ money when saying well wishes to adults, and adults would bring gifts like tea, cakes, or decorated fresh fruits when visiting other household during Tet / Lunar New Year
3. How will you personally celebrate Tết?
Tet in the US is quiet. We pray to the ancestors on the first day, have a family lunch, get red envelopes then go home. During pre-Covid, we had church celebrations with cultural shows and every family bring a dish and the whole church or temple would dine together. This year we just stay home.
4. What special foods will you eat on Tết?
Braised Pork, sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves, different homemade pickles, cut watermelons, and candied fruits served w/ tea were very common.
5. What should non-Vietnamese should know or understand about Tết?
Tet / Lunar New Year is like a long Thanksgiving for Vietnamese and Chinese....only say nice things to them on the first day....If you don’t get along w/ someone, don’t show up at their door first day of new year...it’s bad luck. Tet is a 10 days celebrations. We used to gamble, eat, drinks, days and nights for the first 3 days...doesn’t matter w/ age
1. What is the meaning or significance of Tết to you?
It has always been reiterated to me that Tết is a celebration of new beginnings. I remember weeks beforehand, my mom would start preparing by cleaning out the house and getting rid of old and unwanted things. She would order new clothes to be sewn for us so that we would have them to wear for Tet.
One of the things that always struck me as the most meaningful is that Tet is a time for forgiveness and reconciliation. It was a time for bygones be bygones and start anew.
I came to the states when I was 9 and although my Mother tried her best to keep up with the traditions by making the usual Tet treats and tradition of paying homage to our ancestors, the celebrations at home were not as vibrant and as elaborate. The respect for the holiday and what it is about carries through year after year.
2. Will your restaurant celebrate Tết in any way? Any special events? Special menu items?
In the past, we have given out red envelopes with lucky money to young children. I would imagine that we would do the same this year.
3. How will you personally celebrate Tết?
Back in Vietnam, I remember celebrating Tet with my family extensive. The first day of Tet is reserved for immediate family members and this tradition was taken very seriously. We would wake up and be dressed in our best. First, we would a family prayer to our ancestors and pay homage. Next, my siblings and I would gather in front of my parents and each of us would take turns and wish them good health and prosperity for the year ahead. And we would work on making sure that our individual wish was the best. It would turn into a friendly competition as one would try to out do one another for the best wish given. In return, our parents would hand each of us a red envelope with lucky money. We celebrated the first day of Tet within our immediate family. Mom would make the most elaborate meal and food would be eaten throughout the day.
The 2nd day of tet was celebrated with near by relatives and friends. We would visit each household and one by one would repeat the wish of good health and prosperity and receive our red envelopes with good luck money. Once the formal visitations were done and our dutiful biddings, we would return home and be released into the street markets to play games, buy things and gamble away our good luck money.
It was always on the third day of Tet when we would travel to Saigon, where the most elaborate celebration of Tet is held. The streets were filled with the most vibrant colors with lanterns, fireworks, flowers, etc. The lion dances were always so enthralling to watch.
4. What special foods will you eat on Tết?
I remember eating so many different things.. but mostly, banh tet (which is made with sticky rice, pork and mung beans), xoi (sticky rice), mut (dried fruits like cocunut, sugar-coated ginger slices) pickled veggies, and some form of elaborate meal that Mom would make.
5. What should non-Vietnamese should know or understand about Tết?
It is the most important and celebrated holiday. Everyone celebrates Tet and everyone turns a year older as individual birthdays were not celebrated.
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