Franklin Dean
Vietnamese weddings are one of the most important ceremonies in Vietnamese culture, with influences from Confucian and Buddhist ideologies. The wedding ceremony and reception are not the only events where couples can appreciate their heritage—food is a big part of Vietnamese wedding celebrations. A typical Vietnamese wedding banquet includes upwards of six courses and serves food family-style, with large platters placed in the centre of the table. Popular dishes include fried fish, Peking duck, seafood soup, honey walnut shrimp, cold seafood platters, fried rice, and more.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of courses | 6–10 |
| Food presentation style | Family-style |
| Popular dishes | Fried fish, Peking duck, seafood soup, honey walnut shrimp, cold seafood platters, fried rice, bamboo and duck noodle soup, dried pig skin soup, crab meat salad, lobster, beef, boiled chicken, duck, Vietnamese seven courses of beef, seafood hotpot |
| Appetizers | Fried spring rolls, pâté chaud (bánh patê sô), finger food |
| Desserts | Hot chè, fruit platter |
| Drinks | Cognac, wine, tea |
| Gifts | Li Xi or Red Envelopes with money |
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What You'll Learn
A typical Vietnamese wedding banquet includes upwards of six courses
The banquet usually begins with cold platters, such as fried spring rolls, pâté chaud, and cold seafood. This is followed by hot dishes, including seasoned lobster, seafood hot pot, and other Vietnamese and Chinese banquet dishes. Popular soup options include bamboo and duck noodle, dried pig skin, and crab meat. For salads, lotus root, chicken, cabbage, shrimp, and other seafood are common ingredients.
Main dishes can include duck, boiled chicken, beef, and fried fish. A unique dish is the Vietnamese seven courses of beef. Yangzhou fried rice is also a common sight on wedding menus.
Desserts often consist of hot chè or a fruit platter.
Vietnamese wedding guests are expected to give the couple red envelopes containing money, which is believed to bring good fortune and financial stability. This custom also helps the newlyweds avoid starting their married life in debt.
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Meals are served family-style
Vietnamese wedding receptions typically feature a minimum of six courses, often served family-style. Large platters of food are placed in the centre of each table, and guests serve themselves. This style of dining is a great way to honour your cultural heritage while delighting your guests with delicious Vietnamese cuisine.
A typical Vietnamese wedding menu may include fried fish, Peking duck, seafood soup, honey walnut shrimp, cold seafood platters, fried rice, and more. For a vegetarian or vegan option, consider fried spring rolls, which can be customised with various fillings. Pâté chaud (bánh patê sô), a flaky pastry with a savoury meat filling, is another tasty Vietnamese appetiser that can be made bite-sized for guests to enjoy as they enter the banquet hall.
For the main courses, consider a multi-course structure to showcase several main dishes. Popular options include duck, boiled chicken, beef, and lobster. For soup, you could offer bamboo and duck noodle, dried pig skin, or crab meat. Salads are also a great option, with popular ingredients such as lotus root, chicken, cabbage, shrimp, and other seafood. Don't forget the condiments! Fish sauce and soy sauce are Vietnamese staples that add umami flavour to your dishes.
For dessert, serve hot chè or a fruit platter. And don't forget the drinks! Cognac is a highly favoured spirit at Vietnamese weddings, along with other alcoholic beverages. Tea is also an essential part of Vietnamese culture, although it may not be as ritualised as in other Asian countries like Japan or China.
During the meal, it is customary for the newlyweds to greet each table to thank their guests for coming. This custom is called chào bàn, which translates to "hello, friend." While tables with elders are met with words of wisdom and cheers, tables with younger guests often play short drinking games with the couple.
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Popular dishes include seafood hot pot, fried fish, Peking duck, and honey walnut shrimp
Food is a significant aspect of Vietnamese wedding celebrations. Typically, meals are served family-style, with upwards of six courses, and sometimes even eight or more.
Seafood hot pot is a popular choice for one of these courses. This dish is often served as a hot dish after cold platters, and it can be customised to include a variety of seafood and meats.
Fried fish is another common dish at Vietnamese wedding receptions. This dish is usually served family-style, with large platters placed in the centre of the table for guests to help themselves.
Peking duck is also a favoured option. Duck is a popular meat choice in Vietnam, and duck noodle soup is a well-liked soup option for wedding menus.
Honey walnut shrimp is a further example of seafood served at Vietnamese weddings. This dish can be served as part of a cold seafood platter or as a salad ingredient.
In addition to these dishes, Vietnamese wedding banquets often include a variety of other foods, such as fried rice, soups, salads, and desserts like hot chè or fruit platters.
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Cognac is a highly-favored spirit
Vietnamese wedding receptions are known for their elaborate feasts, with meals often consisting of 7 to 10 courses. Cognac is a highly-favored spirit at Vietnamese weddings, with large quantities typically being ordered. This preference for Cognac among the Vietnamese community is believed to stem from the country's history as a former French colony.
While the specific dishes served at Vietnamese Buddhist wedding receptions may vary, there are some traditional foods that are commonly included. One notable tradition is the offering of finger foods before the main reception to whet guests' appetites. Fried spring rolls are a popular choice and can be customized with various fillings to accommodate different dietary preferences. Pâté chaud, also known as bánh patê sô, is another classic Vietnamese appetiser. This flaky pastry with a savoury meat filling can be made in bite-sized portions, making it convenient for guests to enjoy as they enter the banquet hall.
Soups and salads are also integral components of Vietnamese cuisine, offering a range of options for wedding menus. Popular soup choices include bamboo and duck noodle, dried pig skin, and crab meat. Salads often feature fresh ingredients such as lotus root, chicken, cabbage, shrimp, and other types of seafood.
The main courses of a Vietnamese wedding banquet showcase a variety of flavours and showcase the multi-course structure of Vietnamese wedding feasts. Popular dishes include seasoned lobster, seafood hot pot, fried fish, Peking duck, beef, boiled chicken, and Yangzhou fried rice. The Vietnamese seven courses of beef is also a notable mention. These dishes are typically served family-style, with large platters placed in the centre of each table for guests to serve themselves.
Desserts are not forgotten in these lavish spreads, with hot chè and fruit platters being common conclusions to the meal. Additionally, it is customary for guests to bring gifts of money, presented in red envelopes known as Li Xi. These envelopes serve as a way to wish the newlyweds good fortune and financial stability as they start their new life together.
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Guests are expected to bring gifts of money
In Vietnamese culture, family is a large part of weddings, with both sides joining as one. It is believed that the marriage is not just between the couple but also between the two families.
Vietnamese wedding receptions usually include lion dancers, blessing the couple for a long and happy marriage. The newlyweds greet each table to thank them and collect envelopes of wedding money. Food is a significant part of Vietnamese wedding celebrations, with meals served family-style, often including multiple courses.
Red envelopes are considered a symbol of good luck and prosperity, and guests are encouraged to gift money in these envelopes. While cash is always a safe choice, gold is also a popular gift, especially for close friends and family. Gold is seen as a symbolic dowry and an expression of well-wishes for the couple's happiness and prosperity.
It is important to note that guests are not expected to bring extravagant gifts, and the amount of money gifted can vary depending on the guest's relationship with the couple and the number of people they bring to the wedding.
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Frequently asked questions
Traditional foods served at a Vietnamese Buddhist wedding reception include fried fish, Peking duck, seafood soup, honey walnut shrimp, cold seafood platters, and fried rice.
Fried spring rolls and pâté chaud (bánh patê sô) are popular finger food options.
Gac sticky rice (xôi gấc) is a sticky rice dish coloured with gac melon seeds. The red colour symbolises good luck and happiness, and the texture is said to ensure the new couple "stick" together.
A typical Vietnamese wedding banquet includes upwards of six courses, and can go up to eight or even ten courses.
Yes, family is a large part of Vietnamese wedding culture, and families often help plan the wedding and pre-wedding events. There are also various rituals and customs, such as the couple greeting each table to thank their guests, the exchange of red envelopes containing money, and the performance of lion dancers to bless the couple.
