Banh Chung and Banh Day are traditional, must-have foods every Tet and the prestigious National Geographic has included them in its list of Top 10 Celebration Foods of the World.

The Lunar New Year is Vietnam's most significant holiday as it marks the beginning of spring. But perhaps more importantly, it also signals the start of a series of feasts and family gatherings, which means non-stop eating and drinking.

 Banh Chung come in square packets representing Earth, while Banh Day are served in round packets and represent the sky. In its website, National Geographic identified these foods as “figurative and flavorful foundations of the feast. Roasted watermelon seeds and dried candied fruits are also famous treats during the festival, but sticky rice and meat rolls; and bean fillings wrapped in leaves are considered the epitome of food during Tet.

 The other foods chosen in National Geographic's list are: Bread of the Dead in Mexico's Day of the Dead; Hakarl in Iceland's Mid-Western Festival Thorrablot; Moon Cakes in China's Mid-Autumn Festival; Hamantaschen in Jewish Purim; King Cake in Mardi Gras; Besan Burfi of India's Diwali; Kahk of Egyptian Eid al-Fitr; Haggis of Scotland's Burns Night; Pastelitos del 25 de Mayo of Argentina's May Revolution.

 More than celebration and food, National Geographic sees Tet as a time of hope and looking forward as, perhaps more than ever, the Vietnamese people are united and proud in giving value to their history and culture.