1. What Are Vietnamese New Year Red Envelopes?
Vietnamese New Year red envelopes are small, decorative envelopes containing money that are traditionally given during Tet, Vietnam’s most important traditional holiday. Known in Vietnamese as “lì xì,” they are commonly referred to as “lucky money” in English. Another Vietnamese expression, “mừng tuổi,” is associated with wishing someone well as they enter another year of life and is often used when giving New Year greetings and gifts. For people unfamiliar with Vietnamese culture, the easiest way to understand lì xì is to think of it as a small New Year’s gift of money presented in a festive red envelope. However, lì xì is much more than a financial gift. When parents or grandparents give a child a red envelope, for example, the money represents their wishes for the child’s health, happiness, good behavior, and success in the year ahead. Likewise, when younger family members visit their grandparents during Tet, they may offer New Year greetings and wish them good health and longevity. In this sense, the red envelope is not simply a container for money, but a traditional way of expressing love, respect, affection, and good wishes for the new year.
2. Why Do Vietnamese People Give Lucky Money at New Year?
Tet marks the beginning of a new lunar year and is traditionally a time for family reunions, visiting relatives, remembering ancestors, and exchanging New Year wishes.
Giving lucky money is one way for people to welcome the New Year with positive thoughts and good wishes. Depending on the relationship between the giver and recipient, a red envelope may express wishes for:
• Good health
• Happiness
• Good luck
• Prosperity
• Longevity
• Success in education
• Success at work
• Family harmony
This is why the amount of money inside the envelope is usually not considered the most important part of the tradition. A small amount given sincerely can carry more meaning than a large amount given without genuine care or affection. Lì xì is mainly about expressing good wishes, not showing wealth.
3. Why Are Tet Red Envelopes Red?
Red is one of the most distinctive colours associated with the Tet atmosphere. In Vietnamese culture, red is commonly associated with positive meanings such as:
• Good luck
• Happiness
• Joy and celebration
• Prosperity
• Good fortune
During Tet, red appears on many familiar items and decorations, including clothing, New Year decorations, calligraphy, flowers, and lucky money envelopes. The colour red gives the envelope a symbolic and festive character. It is not simply an outer covering. The red envelope itself is part of the gift, expressing positive wishes shared among people during the New Year.
4. Who Usually Receives Tet Lucky Money?
Children
Parents, grandparents, relatives, and family friends may give lucky money to children, together with wishes for good health, happiness, good behaviour, and success at school. For many children, receiving lucky money is one of the most exciting parts of Tet.
Parents, Grandparents, and Older Adults
Children and younger family members may visit their parents or grandparents during Tet, offer New Year greetings, and wish them good health and longevity. In some families, older adults may also give lucky money to younger family members as a way of expressing affection and sharing good wishes.
Relatives and Family Friends
When visiting relatives or family friends during Tet, adults may bring lucky money envelopes for the children in the household. This is a simple way to take part in the family’s New Year celebration.
Friends and Colleagues
Some people also give lucky money to friends or colleagues, particularly in certain workplaces or social settings. However, this varies considerably and is not a universal expectation. There is no single set of rules determining who must give or receive lucky money. Family traditions, age, relationships, and personal circumstances can all influence how lì xì is exchanged.
5. When Do Vietnamese People Give Lucky Money?
Lì xì is mainly associated with the first days of Tet, especially the beginning of the New Year according to the lunar calendar. On the first day of Tet, families often gather together, visit relatives, remember their ancestors, and exchange New Year wishes. Younger family members may take the initiative in wishing older relatives a happy New Year and offering them good wishes. A common greeting is “Chúc mừng năm mới!” After the New Year greeting, people may give lucky money as a symbol of their good wishes. The exchange of lucky money can continue during the first days of the New Year as people visit relatives, friends, and loved ones.
6. What Is Inside a Tet Red Envelope?
Traditionally, cash is placed inside the envelope. The amount can vary considerably depending on the relationship between the giver and recipient, the recipient’s age, family traditions, the social setting, and the giver’s financial circumstances. There is no fixed amount that applies to everyone in Vietnam. This is important for international visitors to understand. Unlike a gift with a standard price or a fixed amount commonly expected for a birthday, lì xì does not have one nationwide standard amount. A modest amount can be perfectly appropriate. The thought behind the gift and the good wishes it expresses are usually more important than the amount of money inside.
7. Is There a “Lucky” Amount of Money?
You may hear different opinions about numbers that are considered lucky or unlucky. Some Vietnamese families and individuals may have personal preferences for certain numbers or amounts based on traditional beliefs or personal interpretations. However, these beliefs are not universal rules followed by all Vietnamese people. It would therefore be inaccurate to say that everyone in Vietnam must use a particular amount or avoid specific numbers. If you are an international visitor and would like to give lucky money, you do not need to worry too much about finding the “perfect” amount. A modest gift given sincerely, together with a warm New Year wish, is usually much more appropriate than becoming overly concerned about a particular number.
8. Do Vietnamese People Prefer New Banknotes for Lucky Money?
Many people prefer to use clean, new, and crisp banknotes when preparing lucky money envelopes. This preference fits with the idea of Tet as a time of renewal and a fresh beginning. Before Tet, some people exchange older banknotes for new ones so they can prepare neat and attractive envelopes for family members and friends. However, the idea that old banknotes necessarily bring bad luck or “negative energy” should not be treated as a universal or obligatory Vietnamese belief. For many people, the preference for new banknotes is simply because they look nicer and symbolise a fresh and positive start to the New Year.
9. How to Give a Tet Red Envelope Properly
If you are an international visitor taking part in Vietnamese Tet, giving lucky money is actually quite simple.
Choose a Red Envelope
Choose a red envelope with a festive Tet design or one specifically made for the New Year celebration.
Put Money Inside
There is no required amount. Choose an amount that suits your relationship with the recipient and your own financial circumstances.
Give the Envelope Politely
In Vietnamese culture, giving and receiving gifts with both hands is generally considered a respectful gesture.
Offer a New Year Greeting
The simplest Vietnamese greeting to remember is “Chúc mừng năm mới!”, which means “Happy New Year!” You can also say “Chúc bạn nhiều sức khỏe và may mắn!”, meaning “Wishing you good health and good luck!” For children, you can say “Chúc con chăm ngoan, học giỏi!”, which can be understood as “Wishing you good behaviour and success at school!” You do not need perfect Vietnamese pronunciation. A sincere effort to use a few Vietnamese words is often appreciated.
10. How Should You Receive a Tet Red Envelope?
If someone gives you a lucky money envelope during Tet, the most important thing is to accept it politely and warmly. You can receive the envelope with both hands, smile and thank the person, return their New Year wishes, put the envelope away, and open it later rather than checking the amount immediately. The last point is particularly useful for visitors. Opening the envelope immediately and commenting on the amount can unintentionally shift attention from the meaning of the gift to its monetary value. Lì xì is about sharing good wishes, not comparing who received the most money.
11. Should You Open a Lucky Money Envelope in Front of the Giver?
12. What Should You Say When Giving Lucky Money?
You do not need to prepare a long speech to take part in this tradition. Here are some simple Vietnamese Tet greetings that international visitors can use.
For Everyone
Chúc mừng năm mới! Happy New Year!
For Friends or Adults
Chúc bạn nhiều sức khỏe và may mắn! Wishing you good health and good luck!
For Grandparents or Older Adults
Chúc ông/bà mạnh khỏe, sống lâu! Wishing you good health and a long life!
For Children
Chúc con chăm ngoan, học giỏi! Wishing you good behaviour and success at school! The exact greeting can vary depending on your relationship with the recipient.
13. Tet Lucky Money Etiquette: What Should You Avoid?
If you are unfamiliar with the tradition, a few simple guidelines can help you take part in Tet appropriately and respectfully.
Do Not Compare How Much Money People Receive
The amount inside a lucky money envelope is generally considered a private matter. Avoid asking how much someone else received or comparing your envelope with another person’s.
Do Not Criticise the Amount
A small amount can still express a sincere New Year wish. The value of the gift is not determined only by the amount of money inside.
Do Not Ask for Lucky Money
Children may receive several envelopes during Tet, but they should still accept them politely and thank the giver.
Do Not Treat Lucky Money as a Financial Transaction
Lì xì is a cultural gift and a New Year blessing, not a payment or financial obligation.
You Do Not Need to Feel Pressure to Give a Large Amount
You do not need to spend beyond your means to take part in the tradition respectfully. A modest amount can be completely appropriate.
Do Not Focus Only on the Money
The wishes, relationships, affection, and good intentions behind the envelope are at the heart of the lì xì tradition.
14. The Difference Between Vietnamese Lì Xì and Chinese Hongbao
Many international visitors are familiar with Chinese red envelopes, commonly known as hongbao. Vietnamese lì xì is connected to the broader tradition of giving lucky money during Lunar New Year celebrations across parts of East and Southeast Asia. However, Vietnamese Tet has its own customs, foods, greetings, rituals, and family traditions. It is therefore more accurate to describe lì xì as a Vietnamese Tet tradition with historical and cultural connections to other New Year traditions in the region, rather than simply calling it a Chinese custom practised in Vietnam. Vietnamese people have developed and maintained lì xì as part of their own cultural life, connecting it with family affection, New Year wishes, respect for older family members, and hopes for good fortune in the year ahead.
15. Where Does the Vietnamese Tet Lucky Money Tradition Come From?
It is difficult to identify the exact historical origin of Vietnamese lì xì through a single source or one specific story. The practice of giving money or gifts during Lunar New Year belongs to a broader cultural tradition across East and Southeast Asia, with different societies developing their own customs over time. You may also hear a Chinese folk story about a supernatural creature called Sui, which is sometimes used to explain the origin of giving money to children during Lunar New Year. According to the legend, Sui appeared at night and frightened sleeping children. In one version of the story, eight immortals transformed themselves into coins and placed them beside a child. When Sui approached, the coins were said to protect the child and frighten the creature away. The story later became associated with money wrapped in red paper or placed inside red envelopes. However, this story should be understood as folklore rather than proven historical evidence for the origin of Vietnamese lì xì. The Vietnamese tradition of mừng tuổi developed within Vietnamese social and cultural life and became closely associated with Tet, family reunions, New Year wishes, respect for older family members, and hopes for a positive year ahead.
16. Vietnamese Lì Xì and Family Affection
One reason lì xì remains important during Tet is that the tradition helps strengthen family relationships. Tet is more than simply a celebration of the New Year. For many Vietnamese families, it is an important time to reconnect with relatives, return to their hometowns, visit parents and grandparents, share meals, remember ancestors, and exchange good wishes. Lucky money fits naturally into this festive atmosphere. When grandparents give lucky money to their grandchildren, for example, the gift may express affection and hopes for the child’s health, happiness, and future success. When younger family members wish their grandparents good health and longevity, those wishes express respect and gratitude. However, lì xì is not limited to family members. During Tet, people may also give lucky money to friends, colleagues, neighbors, or even people they do not know personally as a simple way of sharing good fortune and wishing them luck and happiness in the new year. In this way, a small red envelope can represent much more than its physical contents. Whether it is exchanged between family members or offered to someone outside the family, lì xì is a meaningful gesture that expresses kindness, goodwill, and good wishes for the year ahead.
17. Why Are Vietnamese Tet Red Envelopes More Than Just Money?
For someone seeing the tradition for the first time, it may be easy to think, “It is just cash inside a red envelope.” But this view does not fully reflect the cultural meaning of lì xì. Imagine a Vietnamese grandmother giving her grandchild a red envelope. The amount of money may not be large. What she may really be expressing is: “I hope you stay healthy. I hope you are happy. I hope you study well and do well in your work this year. I hope good things come your way.” That is the spirit of Vietnamese Tet lucky money. The cash is simply a traditional way of expressing those wishes.
18. Are Vietnamese Tet Red Envelopes Still Popular Today?
Yes. Lì xì remains a familiar and widely practised Tet tradition, although the way people send lucky money is gradually changing. In modern Vietnam, digital banking services, mobile payment apps, and e-wallets allow people to send money to one another quickly. As a result, digital lì xì has also become a way to send New Year wishes and good fortune. Instead of handing someone a physical red envelope, a person may transfer money electronically together with a New Year greeting. However, traditional red envelopes remain popular because they preserve the personal, face-to-face experience and distinctive visual character of Tet. The red envelope itself has become part of the atmosphere of the holiday and a familiar symbol of the festive season.
19. Should International Visitors Give Lucky Money During Vietnamese Tet?
If you are an international visitor travelling to Vietnam during Tet, you may wonder whether you are expected to take part in this tradition. You do not need to give lucky money to everyone you meet. However, if you are invited to a Vietnamese family’s home during Tet, bringing a few lucky money envelopes for the children in the family can be a thoughtful gesture. You can also take part if a Vietnamese friend or host introduces you to the tradition. There is no need to memorise a long list of complicated rules. A simple approach is: Bring a red envelope. Put a modest amount of money inside. Give it politely. Smile. Say “Chúc mừng năm mới!” And focus on the good wishes rather than the amount of money. That is enough to take part in the tradition sincerely and respectfully.
20. Frequently Asked Questions About Vietnamese Tet Red Envelopes
What Are Vietnamese Tet Red Envelopes?
They are red envelopes containing money that Vietnamese people commonly give during Tet, the Lunar New Year. They symbolise good luck, happiness, health, prosperity, and good wishes for the year ahead.
What Does Lì Xì Mean?
Lì xì is a common Vietnamese term for lucky money given during Tet. For English-speaking readers, expressions such as “Vietnamese New Year lucky money” or “Vietnamese New Year red envelopes” are often easier to understand.
Why Are Tet Red Envelopes Red?
Red is commonly associated with positive ideas such as good luck, happiness, joy, prosperity, and good fortune, making it a suitable colour for gifts and decorations during Tet.
Are Only Children Given Lucky Money?
No. Children are common recipients, but adults and older people may also give or receive lucky money depending on family traditions and circumstances.
How Much Money Should You Put in a Lucky Money Envelope?
There is no fixed amount. An appropriate amount depends on your relationship with the recipient, the social setting, family customs, and your financial circumstances.
Can International Visitors Give Lucky Money to Vietnamese People?
Yes. International visitors can take part respectfully by giving a red envelope containing a modest amount of money and offering a sincere New Year wish.
What Should You Say When Giving a Lucky Money Envelope?
The simplest phrase is “Chúc mừng năm mới!”, which means “Happy New Year!”
Should You Open a Lucky Money Envelope Immediately?
It is generally better to thank the giver and open the envelope later rather than checking the amount immediately in front of them.
Is Vietnamese Lì Xì the Same as Chinese Hongbao?
The two traditions are connected to the broader tradition of Lunar New Year celebrations, but lì xì is part of Vietnamese Tet culture and should not simply be treated as identical to Chinese hongbao.
21. Conclusion
Vietnamese Tet red envelopes are one of the most familiar symbols of Tet, but their meaning goes far beyond the monetary value inside. A red envelope represents a wish that good things will come in the year ahead. For children, it may express wishes for health, happiness, good behaviour, and success at school. For parents and grandparents, it may express wishes for health, longevity, peace, and happiness. For friends and relatives, it may simply be a warm way of saying: “Happy New Year. Wishing you all the best.” That is why the amount of money inside the envelope is not the most important part. The real gift lies in the good wishes, affection, respect, and connection expressed through the envelope. If you visit Vietnam during Tet, you do not need to know every traditional custom to understand and appreciate the meaning of lì xì. Just remember three things: Give with sincerity. Receive with gratitude. And wish one another a happy, lucky, and prosperous New Year. Chúc mừng năm mới!