Nha Trang during Tet holiday flaunts its exuberant – a typical joyful atmosphere of a coastal city, and are being elevated by the long-awaited springtime. The city’s energy cools off at the sight of people shifting to a slower, relaxing lane of life where localities and tourists immerse in the festivity of traditional customs such as hái lộc (to pluck a flowering branch off a tree on New Year's Day, a sign of new life and prosperity and lì xì (children receive lucky money in red envelopes in return for their wishes of happiness and prosperity to parents and elders) as well as attending either church or temple to pray for good fortune.
Tet is the season of travelling and spending quality time with family and friends, but Vietnamese women usually prepare banquets of elaborate traditional foods for the whole family. There usually are both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes to satisfy different needs and tastes.
Understanding the need for a well-rounded food experience during this festive season, The Square Restaurant by Novotel Nha Trang will remain open throughout Tet while other dining options in Nha Trang are usually closed.
On the First Day of Tet, families often choose vegan food to start the year with Zen energy. The hotel’s Head Chef at the restaurant has already curated a menu of specialty dishes such as rice flour pancakes, soup, seaweed salad, tropical fruits and traditional Vietnamese cakes. After visiting elders, let the entire family gathered for a perfect vegetarian meal that is wholesome in flavour and extravagant in style at the Novotel Nha Trang.
From the second and third day of Tet onward, the hotel offers special lunch and dinner buffets with a variety of scrumptious foods to satiate all palates: from freshly caught seafood to world-renowned cuisines, and above all that, the hotel pays great attention to Tet-centric dishes such as stewed bamboo shoots, pig’s ears brined in fish sauce, glutinous rice cakes, pickled vegetables, pickled scallion heads, melon seeds, candied coconut ribbons and a wide array of traditional Vietnamese cakes. In addition to great food, families who visit the hotel during the time will be invited to watch the Lion dance performance - an activity to bring good luck to the New Year.
Price for Tet Vegetarian set menu at the 1st day of Tet festival is at VND250,000 ($10.8) for two people (soft drinks/iced tea is included).
Price for Tet Lunch buffet at the 2nd & 3rd day of Tet is at VND299.000 ($12.9) per person (soft drinks/iced tea is included)
Dinner buffet is at VND650.000VND ($28) per person ( with free-flowing beers and soft drinks)
The Square Restaurant
Novotel Nha Trang Hotel
50 Tran Phu Str., Nha Trang City
Tel: +84 (258) 6 25 69 21
novotel.com