July 11, 2022
The beauty of gift giving customs in Vietnam
NewsFirst and foremost, this article does not encourage corruption or bribery, the information outlined below is the beauty of the gift-giving customs in Vietnam.
Gifts have long been used as an in-kind expression of love and gratitude to bonding family and social relationships. There is no research that clearly indicates where and when gift-giving comes from, giving gifts has become a beautiful act, a culture, a great custom of Vietnam and other countries around the world. In different countries, people have different conceptions of how to give gifts. In Vietnam, gifts show the sophistication of the giver, which is a careful selection process to satisfy the recipient. Vietnamese people value social relationships so gifts are seen as a link between people and help to show affection and respect. Gifts of Vietnamese people are usually simple, not too picky but bring very thoughtful cultural values and humanity.
Vietnamese people have a saying, "Nhậo gia tuỳ tục", means like "When in Rome do as the Romans do", if you do not know the concept and meaning of gift giving in Vietnam, let's find out with us about this wonderful culture.
When to give gifts in Vietnam
In Vietnam, the selection of gifts is very important, depending on the occasion, the gifts will be given with different characteristics and meanings.
1. Holiday
- Tet
Tet is the biggest holiday in Vietnamese culture. By far the biggest gift-giving event in the Vietnamese calendar is Tet (New Year), thus, gift-giving for Tet gets the most attention. Every Vietnamese person celebrates a new year, expressing love to family, friends, colleagues and meaningful Tet gifts to bring blessings and good luck to the recipient.
Li Xi (red envelopes) filled with money are given to children, the amount of cash depends on how well-behaved the youngster in question has been over the past year. Mứt (dried candied fruits) are also exchanged during Tet.
Popular gifts in Tet - Source: Dienmayxanh.vn
- Mid-autumn festival
The Mid Autumn Festival often falls in September or October of the year. Mid-Autumn Festival is the reunion occasion, an opportunity for everyone to gather and have fun together. To express deep affection and wishes for the giver, a hand-over gift is an indispensable thing.
Gift-giving custom in Mid Autumn festival - Source: Thoidai.vn
As much as the Tet vacation, children look forward to the Mid Autumn Festival. Families give their children old-fashioned presents as a way to preserve traditional toys. While children look forward to the full moon ceremony, adults look for high-quality mooncakes to give to loved ones.
Moon cake is a popular gift in Mid-autumn festival - Source: Google.com
- Christmas day
In recent years, Christmas Day has become more popular in Vietnam. Although it is not a holiday, Christmas is a time of joy for everyone. People also create beautiful spaces on Christmas day such as decorating Christmas trees and giving gifts to children. Vietnamese children also write letters to Santa Claus to express their dreams and desires. Parents, depending on their circumstances and abilities, have ways to give gifts to their children.
Gift-giving in Christmas day - Source: quatangmavang.vn
2. Public ceremonies
- Women's day (March 8th)
Vietnamese celebrate two Women’s Days: the International Women’s Day on March 8th and the Vietnamese Women’s Day on October 20th. To celebrate women’s significance in society, family members can cook delicious meals for the moms, give them flowers or some gifts related to fashion and beauty.
Gift giving at MODOHO in Vietnamese Woman's Day
- Children's day
International Children's Day is held on June 1 every year not only in Vietnam but also around the world. On this day, children are cared for, played and best wishes by adults. Besides, grandparents and parents also do not forget to give children meaningful and unique gifts.
Gift-giving in Children day - Source: Google.com
- Teacher's Day
Vietnamese Teachers' Day is held on November 20 every year, this is an opportunity for the student generation to remember how important education is to the development of the nation. On this day, students across the country will send good wishes and gifts to their teachers to express their thoughtful gratitude to their teachers.
3. Personal ceremonies
- Birthday
Everyone has their own special day. That is Birthday. Not only Vietnamese people, but all over the world, people always give each other gifts, even the smallest gift.
- Wedding
At a traditional Vietnamese wedding, the groom's family gives areca nuts, betel leaves, candies, cakes, and tea to the bride's family. Close friends and relatives are also invited to the service and bring practical domestic presents. Since the majority of people in Vietnam give "lucky money" to newlyweds, the wedding gift code is rather simple. There is no limit to how much money can be gifted, but it all shows sincerity and affection for eternal love for the couple.
- Longevity ceremony
The longevity celebration represents a beauty in the behavior culture of the Vietnamese people. In the family, when grandparents or parents are old, children and grandchildren often have a celebration party because according to the Vietnamese concept: if parents live a long time, children will be cared for and shown filial piety. Therefore, gifts on this occasion will help them send "Longevity Wishing" wishes to grandparents and parents.
- Housewarming Party
For Vietnamese people, owning a new and spacious house not only helps to improve family life but also a concept for success and prosperity. One of the most important customs that Vietnamese people care about is the housewarming party. Therefore, the housewarming gifts to homeowners on the occasion of the new home is very important.
4. In the workplace
- Business partners
A lunch or dinner at an opulent restaurant is how a Vietnamese company expresses generosity and respect to business partners, additionally, precious gifts are often given with meanings and values of prosperity and health to strengthen relationships and cohesion in business cooperation projects. Additionally, gifts have to be customized for the partner's gender and year of birth.
- Colleague
Colleagues within the company that are cemented will bring a lot of value to the company, both in culture and in business. Employees are frequently given a little present on their first day of work, their birthday, or during public ceremonies. Gifts exchanged between colleagues show mutual love and respect.
To find out more business culture, visit here: Understanding Vietnam Business Culture
Characteristic in the gift-giving culture of Vietnamese people
1. Expensive Isn't Always Better
Right now, when material life is improved, accordingly, the value of gifts is also more concerned, choosing gifts is carefully invested in terms of purpose, meaning, object of gift, practicality. gift given to the giver. In addition, each gift also requires meticulous standards in form and sophistication in the manner and ceremony of giving and receiving gifts.
However, not every gift has a higher value. The gift must have a noble, subtle and profound meaning for the giver, so that the recipient when receiving the gift does not misunderstand, be happy and comfortable. more comfortable and more valuable than the existing relationship.
2. The way of giving gifts is more important than the gifts
Gift giving is an expression of mutual concern, a specific expression of affection, and the behavior of gift-giving is the key to its culture. The attitudes of the giver and the recipient in the context of that communication reveal messages about the desire for the relationship.
In addition, the decoration of the more delicate and complete is also an important part of gift giving. A gift with a poorly wrapped, crumpled appearance will make a bad impression on the recipient.
3. Gifts that should not be given
- Sharp Objects: Sharp objects such as knives, saws, swords, scissors, etc. should not be given as gifts to others because it means severing the relationship between people who give and the recipient.
- White Flowers: The white flowers, especially ones with black decorations, are used in funeral mass, so make sure to consider them carefully when buying them as presents.
- Cups/Glasses: In Vietnam, these are pronounced as “ly” or “tách” which means “chia ly" (to separate) or “tách rời” (to break up). This means breaking up a relationship.
- Watches: a clock is an object that measures the passage of time, indirectly shows counting down one's time and reminds people of the limited time of a human's life.
To finding another customs in Vietnam, visit here: Vietnamese Customs and Traditions
The Beauty of Gift Giving Customs in Vietnam
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