TET & Banh Chung

TET & Banh Chung

By Aly Abaquin

The making and eating bánh chưng during Tet is a well-preserved tradition of Vietnamese people. Bánh chưng is a traditional Vietnamese cake which is made from Glutinous rice, mung bean & pork.

Traditionally, in making the bánh chưng, all members of the family gather with different tasks, from washing the lá dong, mixing the pork with spices, preparing the mung bean and most important wrapping all ingredients in square form (Ban Chung) or cylindrical form (ban Tay) and carefully boiling the cakes for ten – twelve hours in a boiling cauldron.

The Taste of the glutinuous rice with mung bean are very heavy to the stomach and we suggest to have a tea handy. One slice is enough to make you full.  The Cake is also an offfering to the buddhist altar for more bountiful new year and is a great way to greet the new Year!

Or simply called  the Tet, which means the first morning of the first day of the new year, is the Vietnamese New Year. The celebration lasts for 7 days. Like the Chinese, the Lunar New Year is one of the most celebrated holidays.


Preparation for Tet starts weeks before New Year's Day. Homes are cleaned to get rid of bad fortune associated with the old year. Families paint their homes to give it a new look. Everyone gets new clothes and new shoes. Pay your debts and resolve differences between family and friends.

A special ceremony called Le Tru Tich is held at the mid-night hour (Giao Thua) on New Year's Eve. The ritual involves firecrackers and gongs and other festive items that make loud noises to usher out the old and welcome the new.

In HCMC, Saigon tourist has held the successful flower market to welcome the new year and this is also the most awaited event for locals and well as for tourist. An explosion of flora & fauna. Disneyland for landscapers, an array of different flowers from orchids, daffodils, exotic flowers etc are all present.

Think of the Rose parade but in this case its not mobile but stationary along the Central district in Nguyen Hue.  

Like the Chinese, Vietnamese people are very careful about what they do on New Year's Day. The events on New Year's Day determine your luck for the rest of the year. Therefore, everything and everyone you are in touch with on New Year's Day should symbolize good fortune. Don't visit people who are in mourning because they are associated with death. Children should not fight or cry on New Year's Day.

Homes are decorated with Hoa Mai, a yellow blossom that represents spring for prosperity.
Family members exchange gifts or give li xi a red envelope with lucky money  and pay homage to the Kitchen God. They also visit local temples to pray for prosperity and good health.

So this year of the tiger i wish all you the best of health & wealth.
Be Brave and courageous this year!