Image: Unknown author, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
TL;DR: Vietnamese people often avoid dishes like duck, squid, banana, shrimp, snail, and fertilized duck eggs at the start of the year due to associations with bad luck or failure. These are folk beliefs with psychological roots, not scientifically proven, but they reflect wishes for a fortunate and smooth new year.
What is the meaning of the food taboos in the early days of the new year?
In Vietnamese culture, the first days of the new year (especially the first day of Tết Nguyên Đán, the Lunar New Year) are considered a sacred moment that determines the fortune of the whole year. People in the past believed that whatever happens on the first day of the year will "carry over" into the following days, so they paid great attention to their words, their behaviour and also the dishes on the family tray. Avoiding certain foods stems not only from folk experience but also reflects a philosophy of life, the community's wish to invite good luck and avert misfortune.
A summary table of dishes commonly avoided in the early days of the year and the folk reasons behind it.
| Dish | Folk reason for avoiding it | Regions where it is commonly avoided |
|---|---|---|
| Duck meat | Homophone of oppression, suppression; the black colour symbolises bad luck, no family reunion | The North |
| Squid | The black colour symbolises darkness, bad luck, difficulties at work | |
| Banana | Homophone of "chúi" in "chúi nhủi" (toil and hardship), evoking a slip and fall, failure | Some regions, the North |
| Shrimp | A crooked shape, swimming backwards, petty work, going backwards | The Central and Southern regions |
| Snail | The spiral shape suggests complications, having to dig them out takes time, hardship | The Central and Southern regions |
| Balut (fertilised duck egg) | The word "lộn" suggests disorder, upheaval, instability | |
| Dishes that are black | The black colour is tied to bad luck | |
| Dishes that taste bitter | A bitter taste symbolises suffering and hardship |
Which dishes are commonly avoided in the early days of the year?
Why avoid eating duck meat at the start of the year?
In folk belief, duck meat is often avoided in the first days of the year, especially in the northern provinces. The reason given is that the word "vịt" (鸭) in Chinese is a homophone of the word "áp" (压), meaning to press down or oppress, or it evokes the black colour of the duck, symbolising bad luck and misfortune. In addition, there is a folk saying, "dog meat to welcome the new year, duck meat at the end of the year", implying that duck meat is only suited to seeing off the old year and should not be used to welcome the new one. Some regions also avoid duck because they worry it means "going far away" like wild ducks, with no family reunion.
Why avoid eating squid at the start of the year?
Squid is a common food but it is on the list of things to avoid at the start of the year. People in the past believed that the black colour of squid (cuttlefish, squid) symbolises darkness, bad luck and misfortune. Eating squid at the start of the year could make work difficult all year and business lose money. So even though squid is an ingredient that can be made into many tasty dishes, people still avoid putting it on the Tết feast tray.
Why avoid eating banana at the start of the year?
Bananas are a fruit that cannot be missing from the five-fruit tray, yet they are avoided as food in the first days of the year in some regions. The reason comes from wordplay: "chuối" is a homophone of "chúi" in "chúi nhủi" (toil and hardship), or it evokes "slipping" on a banana peel, symbolising failure and a fall. However, this belief is not absolute, since bananas still appear in the five-fruit tray with the meaning of wishing for togetherness and plenty. The difference shows that taboos are often local and carry many layers of meaning.
Why avoid eating shrimp at the start of the year?
Shrimp is a nutritious food but it is avoided at the start of the year because of its crooked shape and because it swims backwards. People in the past worried that eating shrimp would make work "shrimp-sized", petty and undeveloped, or make business go backwards without progress. Some places also avoid it because shrimp shed their shells, symbolising an unfavourable change.
Why avoid eating snail at the start of the year?
Snails are avoided because of their spiral shape, which evokes piled-up troubles, "as tangled as chive soup". In addition, eating snails requires a toothpick to dig them out, which takes a lot of time and is seen as "digging out" hardship and toil. In folk culture, the snail is also tied to the story of the slow "snail", unlucky for those who want agility and success.
Why avoid eating balut at the start of the year?
Balut is a snack many people love, but it is avoided at the start of the year because the word "lộn" suggests disorder, upheaval and instability. People in the past believed that eating balut on the first day of the year would bring many upheavals to work and life, making it hard to keep peace. Similarly, some places also avoid eating duck eggs (not fertilised) for fear that "eggs" symbolise roundness, but if one falls and breaks it brings an omen.
Why avoid dishes that are black or bitter?
Besides specific dishes, Vietnamese people also avoid foods that are black (such as blood pudding, burnt grilled squid) or bitter (such as bitter melon). The black colour is tied to bad luck, while a bitter taste symbolises suffering and hardship. So on the Tết feast tray, people often favour dishes that are red or yellow (luck, wealth) and sweet in taste (sweetness, prosperity).
A cultural and psychological perspective
Origins and spread
These taboos usually come from a way of thinking based on association, wordplay and folk experience passed down orally through many generations. The local element plays an important role: some places avoid duck meat, others do not; some places avoid bananas, but the South regards bananas as a symbol of plenty. This shows that taboos are not an unchanging rule but a flexible cultural product.
Psychological and social meaning
Avoiding certain foods brings a feeling of reassurance and of being able to control one's fate in the uncertain context of the new year. It also strengthens community bonds when people share common rules, creating a distinct cultural identity. Modern psychological research shows that ritual behaviours can reduce anxiety and increase feelings of confidence, even without a scientific basis.
Differences between regions
The North often focuses on avoiding duck meat, squid and bananas; the Central and Southern regions may be more flexible, but still avoid some dishes such as shrimp and snails depending on local custom. This difference reflects the diversity of Vietnamese culinary culture, and reminds us that a single belief should not be imposed on the whole country.
Should you avoid things at the start of the year or not?
From a modern perspective, new year taboos have no scientific basis and should not become a psychological burden. However, if avoiding them helps you feel reassured, happy and confident in a good new year, then it is a cultural choice worth respecting. What matters is keeping a balance, not letting prohibitions take away the joy of gathering around the Tết meal. Whether you avoid them or not, remember that real good fortune comes from each person's preparation, effort and positive attitude to life.
Notes on applying this in modern life
In a context of integration, many young families have become more flexible and are not too strict about taboos. They may still enjoy their favourite dishes but pay attention to food safety and nutritional balance. If you want to respect tradition without being too constrained, you can consult the older people in your family to reconcile the modern and the traditional.
