Vietnamese markets and specialty stores across France have seen Tet preparations begin early.

Imported products this season focus on items commonly associated with Tet meals and daily use. Fresh fruits such as jackfruit, mangosteen, sapodilla, rambutan, mango and pomelo are shipped to France via dedicated consignments to ensure freshness and quality upon arrival. Dried fruits, including mango and jackfruit, along with other Tet staples such as cashew nuts, coconut jam and traditional sweets, are also widely available on store shelves.

Products closely linked to traditional Tet customs, including la dong (phrynium leaves), dau xanh (mung beans) and nep cai hoa vang (a traditional fragrant glutinous rice), continue to be imported to meet demand for making banh chung (traditional square glutinous rice cakes) among Vietnamese families in France.

Early preparation of supplies allows importers to better manage peak-season demand while meeting France’s and the European Union’s increasingly stringent requirements on food safety and traceability. A number of products from Vietnamese enterprises scheduled to take part in the Spring Fair, set to run from February 2 to 13, have also been imported to serve Tet shopping needs.

Compared with the same period in 2025, Vietnamese agricultural exports to France in early 2026 have increased in volume, with a more stable supply base. Product quality has continued to improve, supported by clearer and more systematic production, packaging and control processes, as well as compliance with the certifications required for entry into the European market. Product packaging and varieties have also diversified, making them easier to store, display and access for consumers.

Despite competition from Tet-related products from other Asian countries, Vietnamese traditional items retain their place in the French market, particularly among the Vietnamese community, thanks to familiar flavours and cultural values associated with the Lunar New Year.

The growing presence and diversity of Vietnamese products during Tet not only help the Vietnamese community in France preserve traditional customs, but also gradually introduce the flavours and cultural spirit of Vietnamese Lunar New Year to local consumers.

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