Similar to the first day of the Lunar New Year, the offering tray on the second day of Tet has the meaning of inviting grandparents and ancestors to eat and bless their descendants with health and peace.

Basically, the dishes offered to ancestors on the second day of Tet are the same as the first day, but can be varied to make the offering tray more eye-catching and novel.

Culinary artist Nguyen Thi Anh Tuyet said: “The offering tray on the second day of Tet does not need to be too luxurious but must be solemn. Depending on the economic conditions of each family and region, the offering tray will have different delicious dishes.

Offering food on Tet holiday is for the purpose of 'first offering to grandparents and ancestors, then for descendants to enjoy'. Therefore, what to cook and eat on Tet holiday depends on the homeowner's preferences.

You don't need to be concerned about your grandparents' scolding, but prepare a feast. Heaven, Buddha, grandparents, and ancestors only witness your sincerity. In the end, it is the mortals who receive the blessings, not anyone else."

Artist Anh Tuyet emphasized that as life develops, there are many modern and warm ways to celebrate Tet that need to be learned.

Nowadays, many young families offer boiled chicken and banh chung on the altar, then sit together around a hot pot and talk about Tet. The Tet feast has been updated with more diverse and modern dishes.

“However, any development is based on a traditional cultural foundation. Besides new dishes, the offering tray on the second day of Tet of the Northern people also carries a strong national identity.

Indispensable dishes include: banh chung, boiled chicken (rooster), various types of spring rolls, fried spring rolls, a plate of braised meat served with pickled onions, vermicelli soup with bamboo shoots…”, artist Anh Tuyet suggests.

Some provinces in the Central region such as Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh… have a way of presenting offerings on the 2nd day of the Lunar New Year quite similar to the people in the North. However, from Hue onwards, the flavors and quantity of dishes on the Tet tray have clear differences.

The offering tray on the second day of Tet of the Central region includes: banh tet, boiled chicken, sticky rice, meat soaked in fish sauce, stir-fried vegetables, raw vegetables, spring rolls... All food is divided into small plates to show thrift and sharing.

In the South, the offering tray on the second day of Tet cannot lack braised pork and eggs and bitter melon soup stuffed with meat. In addition, the offering tray also has lotus root salad, braised offal, dried shrimp...

Son hasn't come home for Tet for 3 years, parents say a few words that make daughter-in-law regret

For 3 years living with my parents, I have not returned home to celebrate Tet with them. Every time I pack my things and plan to return home, my wife complains that she is sick and the children are still young.