Holiday Traditions of Vietnam

"Merry Christmas"

Christmas Traditions in Vietnam

Although Christmas is not a national public holiday in Vietnam, the nation still gets into the holiday spirit for this special time of the year. The weather isn’t cold around Christmastime in Vietnam, but Santa, also known as “Christmas Old Man,” still dons his iconic red robes, and many Vietnamese follow suit. You can expect to find plenty of Santas in malls, restaurants, and streets across the country.

Decorations and Christmas Trees

Christmas trees are more commonly found adorning streets and stores than inside homes. Malls often have large, elaborate trees decorated with tinsel, garland, fairy lights, and fake snow. Traditional Christmas decorations are plentiful during the holiday season, bringing a festive atmosphere to the cities. In churches and Catholic homes, you’re more likely to find a nativity scene, called a “crèche,” depicting Mary, Joseph, the Three Magi, shepherds, and various animals gathered around the manger holding baby Jesus.

Christmas Eve Celebrations

On Christmas Eve, Vietnamese Catholics, who make up about 10% of the population, attend midnight masses and church services. These often feature Nativity plays reenacting the night of Jesus’ birth, as well as the singing of Christmas hymns and carols. The Phat Diem Cathedral in the Ninh Binh Province is considered the “spiritual home” of the country’s Catholics, and the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Ho Chi Minh City is another especially popular destination for Christmas celebrations.

The Christmas Eve Feast

After the church services, many families enjoy a festive Christmas Eve feast, known as “Réveillon.” Those who can afford it traditionally serve roasted turkey, accompanied by a special dessert, the “Bûche de Noël,” which is a chocolate cake shaped like a Yule log. This cake is a popular gift in the gift-giving tradition of Vietnam, along with other foods and dishes. However, other types of presents are not as common as in Western cultures.

Ho Chi Minh City Festivities

The city center in Ho Chi Minh City is another popular destination on Christmas Eve. Crowds gather to celebrate, spend time with friends and family, admire the festive lights and decorations, and enjoy dining out at local restaurants. The streets can become quite crowded, as cars are not allowed overnight, turning the area into a bustling pedestrian zone full of holiday cheer.

Holiday Traditions in Vietnam

Video by Miss Mina

Traditional Vietnamese Recipes for the Holiday Celebration

Bûche de Noël (Yule Log Cake)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 large eggs
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for dusting)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup chocolate ganache (melted chocolate with heavy cream)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 15x10-inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease it.
2. In a large bowl, beat the eggs until thick and pale, then gradually add granulated sugar. Stir in vanilla extract.
3. Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Gradually fold this into the egg mixture until well combined.
4. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan and bake for 10-12 minutes or until the cake springs back when touched.
5. Immediately turn the cake onto a kitchen towel dusted with powdered sugar. Carefully peel off the parchment paper and roll the cake in the towel from the narrow end. Let it cool completely.
6. While the cake cools, whip the heavy cream, confectioners' sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
7. Unroll the cooled cake, spread the whipped cream evenly over it, and gently roll it up again.
8. Cover the cake with chocolate ganache, using a spatula to create a log-like texture. Decorate with edible Christmas decorations if desired.
9. Chill for 1-2 hours before serving.

Vietnamese Roast Chicken (Ga Nuong)

Ingredients:

• 4 pounds whole chicken
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon five-spice powder
• 1 tablespoon butter (for basting)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a small bowl, mix the garlic, fish sauce, soy sauce, honey, vegetable oil, lemon juice, black pepper, and five-spice powder.
3. Rub the mixture all over the chicken, inside and out. Let the chicken marinate for at least 1 hour (or overnight in the refrigerator for better flavor).
4. Place the chicken on a roasting rack in a pan and roast in the preheated oven for 1 to 1.5 hours, basting with melted butter every 30 minutes.
5. Roast until the chicken skin is crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before carving.

Bánh Bèo (Vietnamese Steamed Rice Cakes)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rice flour
• 2 tablespoons tapioca starch
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup shrimp, cooked and minced
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1/2 cup crispy fried shallots
• Fish sauce (for serving)

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix the rice flour, tapioca starch, water, salt, and vegetable oil until smooth.
2. Lightly grease small steaming dishes and pour in a thin layer of the batter.
3. Steam the batter over medium heat for 8-10 minutes, or until firm.
4. Top the steamed cakes with minced shrimp, chopped green onions, and fried shallots.
5. Serve with fish sauce for dipping.

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