The Mid-Autumn Festival, known as Tết Trung Thu in Vietnam, is one of the most significant holidays in many East and Southeast Asian countries, including China, Vietnam, and Taiwan. It is a time for family reunions, the worship of the moon, and the enjoyment of delicious food. The celebration takes place on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month when the moon is at its fullest and brightest, symbolizing abundance, harmony, and unity.

In Vietnam, Tết Trung Thu is a time to honor the harvest and express gratitude for the earth’s bounty. The holiday is particularly known for its rich culinary traditions, with various foods and sweets prepared for family gatherings and celebrations. Among these, mooncakes and fruit platters are some of the most iconic dishes. However, many other special foods and snacks play an essential role in the festival, each with unique symbolism.

In this article, we will explore the traditional Tết Trung Thu foods, their meanings, and the role they play in the celebration of this joyful holiday.

1. Mooncakes (Bánh Trung Thu)

No discussion about Tết Trung Thu would be complete without mentioning mooncakes. These iconic pastries are the centerpiece of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Traditionally round in shape, mooncakes symbolize the full moon, a symbol of unity and harmony. They are typically filled with sweet or savory fillings such as lotus seed paste, red bean paste, salted egg yolks, or mixed nuts.

Symbolism of Mooncakes

The round shape of mooncakes represents the full moon, symbolizing completeness and reunion. The mooncake’s rich, golden crust represents the harvest, while the fillings inside carry symbolic meanings: lotus seeds for purity, red beans for wealth, and salted egg yolks for prosperity.

Varieties of Mooncakes

In Vietnam, mooncakes come in different styles and flavors. The traditional baked mooncake has a thin, crispy crust, while the snow skin mooncake has a delicate, chewy outer layer, usually filled with lighter, less sweet fillings like fruit paste or even ice cream. Many regions have their own variations, making the experience of enjoying mooncakes a true culinary delight.

2. Fruit Platters (Mâm Ngũ Quả)

During Tết Trung Thu, it is customary to offer a platter of fresh fruits, known as Mâm Ngũ Quả, as an offering to the moon and as a gesture of gratitude to the ancestors. This vibrant fruit platter consists of five types of fruits, each representing a different element or wishing for prosperity and good health.

Common Fruits in Mâm Ngũ Quả

• Pomelo (Bưởi): Symbolizes the desire for good health and fortune.
• Dragon fruit (Thanh Long): Represents prosperity and success in business.
• Bananas (Chuối): Symbolize fertility, happiness, and the abundance of family.
• Mangoes (Xoài): Represent success and accomplishment.
• Pineapple (Dứa): In some regions, pineapple is included as a symbol of luck and wealth.

This colorful fruit display is often placed on the family altar during the festival and served during gatherings. Eating the fruits is believed to bring health, longevity, and good fortune in the coming year.

3. Sweet Sticky Rice (Xôi Ngọt)

Xôi Ngọt, or sweet sticky rice, is another beloved dish served during Tết Trung Thu. Made with glutinous rice, coconut milk, and sugar, Xôi Ngọt is a simple yet delicious dessert that embodies the spirit of the festival. It is often topped with shredded coconut, mung beans, or colorful fruits to enhance its visual appeal.

Symbolism of Xôi Ngọt

The stickiness of the rice symbolizes unity and togetherness, making it a fitting dish for a family celebration. The sweet flavor represents the joy and sweetness of life, and the coconut milk is believed to bring prosperity. This dish is often shared among family members, reinforcing the themes of connection and harmony.

4. Lotus Seed Soup (Chè Sen)

Chè Sen is a traditional dessert made with lotus seeds, sweetened with sugar, and often served with coconut milk. Lotus seeds are a common ingredient in many Vietnamese desserts and are particularly associated with purity and peace.

Symbolism of Lotus Seeds

In Vietnamese culture, the lotus represents purity and tranquility, as the flower blooms beautifully despite growing in muddy waters. Lotus seeds, therefore, symbolize harmony and the fulfillment of wishes. The light, delicate flavor of Chè Sen makes it an ideal treat for the festive season, offering a sense of peace and balance.

Preparation of Chè Sen

To make Chè Sen, lotus seeds are first soaked to soften them before being simmered with sugar until tender. Coconut milk is added to give the dessert a creamy texture, and some variations include additional ingredients such as mung beans or jellied coconut. It’s a refreshing and comforting dessert that’s often enjoyed after a savory meal.

5. Caramelized Sweet Potato (Khoai Lang Kén)

Khoai Lang Kén is a sweet dish made from sweet potatoes that are caramelized with sugar and coconut milk. The sweet potatoes are typically boiled and then simmered in sugar syrup, which gives them a glossy, rich coating.

Symbolism of Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are often associated with abundance, as they grow in large quantities and are easy to harvest. They are considered a symbol of stability and well-being. In addition, the color of sweet potatoes—golden and orange—represents wealth and prosperity. Serving Khoai Lang Kén during Tết Trung Thu is believed to bring the family happiness, wealth, and good health.

6. Green Bean Cake (Bánh Đậu Xanh)

Bánh Đậu Xanh is a type of cake made from mung beans and sugar, which is often shaped into small squares or rounds. The cake has a smooth, firm texture and a sweet, nutty flavor that is perfect for the sweet tooth during Tết.

Symbolism of Mung Beans

Mung beans are believed to bring wealth and abundance, and their green color is associated with fertility and prosperity. The sweet green bean cake is often given as a gift during the festival, representing wishes for good fortune and financial prosperity in the year ahead.

7. Glutinous Rice Balls (Bánh Trôi, Bánh Chay)

Bánh Trôi and Bánh Chay are two types of glutinous rice balls that are often enjoyed during Tết Trung Thu. These rice balls are filled with sweet fillings like sesame paste or mung beans, and are typically served in a sugary ginger syrup.

Symbolism of Glutinous Rice Balls

The round shape of these rice balls represents completeness and the cycle of life, as well as the roundness of the moon. The sweetness of the fillings symbolizes the joy and unity of family members. During Tết, eating these rice balls is a way to celebrate togetherness and express wishes for a peaceful and prosperous future.

8. Fried Dumplings (Bánh Bao Chiên)

Bánh Bao Chiên, or fried dumplings, are another popular snack during Tết Trung Thu. These dumplings are usually filled with a mixture of pork, shrimp, and vegetables, then fried until golden and crispy. They are often served with a dipping sauce made from soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar.

Symbolism of Fried Dumplings

Fried dumplings symbolize wealth and prosperity due to their round shape and crispy, golden exterior. The filling is often rich in flavor, representing abundance and good fortune. Eating Bánh Bao Chiên during Tết is thought to bring prosperity to the household in the coming year.

9. Steamed Fish (Cá Hấp)

Cá Hấp, or steamed fish, is a traditional dish that is often served during Tết Trung Thu. The fish is typically seasoned with ginger, garlic, and soy sauce, and then steamed until tender. It is a simple but flavorful dish that is often eaten with steamed rice.

Symbolism of Fish

In Vietnamese culture, fish represents abundance and good luck. The word for fish, cá, sounds like the word for prosperity. Serving steamed fish during Tết is a way to invite wealth and success into the home in the coming year.

Conclusion

The foods served during Tết Trung Thu are rich in flavor and steeped in cultural symbolism. From the round mooncakes that represent family unity to the sweet sticky rice that symbolizes harmony, each dish is a reflection of the values of the Mid-Autumn Festival. These traditional foods not only nourish the body but also carry wishes for health, wealth, and prosperity in the coming year.

As families gather to celebrate the festival under the bright full moon, the sharing of these special dishes brings people together, honoring the past, enjoying the present, and looking forward to a future filled with joy and prosperity. Whether it’s the sweet indulgence of mooncakes or the refreshing taste of fruit platters, the culinary traditions of Tết Trung Thu add to the festive spirit and make the holiday even more memorable.