Tet is the Vietnamese New Year. This auspicious occasion is a time for families to come together, to honor their ancestors, and to look forward to a fresh start in the new year. From the elaborate feasts featuring traditional dishes to the lively dragon dances that fill the streets with music and color, Tet is the biggest celebration in Vietnam.

Everywhere is closed and people are usually off for 7 days.

One of the customs we encountered during Tet in Vietnam which is similar to the Chinese tradition was the tradition of lucky money, known as “li xi” in Vietnamese. This delightful practice involves elders gifting red envelopes filled with money to children and unmarried individuals as a symbol of good fortune and prosperity for the coming year. The sight of children eagerly lining up to receive their red envelopes, their faces lit up with excitement, was heartwarming – they are lucky to be able to celebrate different new years in different cultures all throughout the year.

The denominations of lucky money vary, but there are customary amounts that are commonly given. Even numbers are favored, as they are believed to bring good luck. Whether it’s a crisp banknote or a handful of coins tucked inside a beautifully decorated envelope, the gesture of giving lucky money carries with it wishes for happiness and abundance in the year ahead.