Vietnamese New Year gift: 15 wonderful ideas to cherish the Tet spirit

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Vietnamese New Year traditional gifts are diverse (Source: Collected)

Vietnamese New Year gifts encompass a rich tapestry of traditions and cultural significance. Giving and receiving gifts during Tet, the Vietnamese New Year, is steeped in meaning and serves as a symbol of good luck and well wishes for the year ahead. Scroll down for diverse and meaningful gift options that are integral to this cherished Vietnamese tradition.

1. A glance at Vietnamese New Year gift-giving culture

Vietnamese New Year gifts are deeply rooted in the cultural norms of Lunar New Year celebrations. This cherished tradition symbolizes gratitude, compassion, and sharing among Vietnamese people.

Following traditional customs, Vietnamese Lunar New Year gifts can be as modest as a sprig of cherry blossoms, a bottle of rice wine, or a pair of Chung cakes. However, these simple gifts always carry profound human values. Ancestral beliefs dictate that gifting during the days leading up to Tet serves as a pretext to visit relations, exchange stories about the year gone by, and wholeheartedly wish each other prosperity in the year ahead.

As time progresses, gifts for the Vietnamese New Year have evolved to include more refined and visually appealing presents. Alongside flower arrangements and traditional cakes, Tet offerings now encompass vibrant fruit baskets, premium wine bottles, and other luxurious tokens.

Different individuals may opt for varied and meaningful Tet gifts, yet the adage “it’s not the gift, but the thought that counts” resonates deeply in Vietnamese culture. Therefore, the utmost significance of a Vietnamese New Year gift lies in its ability to convey the sender’s heartfelt wishes to the recipient.

Giving Tet presents is a good tradition of Vietnamese (Source: Collected)

>>> Read more about Vietnam holidays to enjoy the festive atmosphere when visiting Vietnam!

2. What are the traditional Vietnamese New Year gifts?

What is a good gift for the Vietnamese New Year? Consider a vibrant bouquet of cherry blossoms, a traditional red envelope filled with lucky money, or any of the items below.

2.1. Red-colored items

Choosing Vietnamese New Year gifts in shades of red is a common practice, given that red symbolizes luck and prosperity in Vietnamese culture. People often opt for items like red envelopes, lanterns, flowers, or clothing. All embody the essence of good fortune associated with this holiday.

2.2. Spring flowers – one of the best Vietnamese New Year gift ideas

Regarding Vietnamese New Year gift ideas, spring flowers stand out as one of the best choices. Gifting spring flowers like peach blossoms, kumquat trees, or yellow apricot blossoms is a heartfelt way to convey your best wishes for good fortune, happiness, and prosperity during the Tet holiday.

2.3. Ornamental plants

In Vietnamese culture, gifting plants is considered a gesture of best wishes. You can choose plants with positive symbolism, like the Wealth Tree, Golden Apricot, or Azalea, to express these good wishes for the upcoming year.

Phalaenopsis orchids are a symbol of wealth and prosperity (Source: Collected)

2.4. New Year couplets

Gifting New Year couplets is a common practice during Tet. These decorative banners feature calligraphy with encouraging phrases, bringing blessings and festive spirit to Vietnamese homes during the Lunar New Year.

2.5. Chung cake, Tet cake

A cherished tradition during Tet is the exchange of Chung cake and Tet cake, which are among the traditional Vietnamese New Year’s foods. These savory cakes, meticulously crafted, symbolize the Earth’s abundance and are offered as tokens of good wishes and appreciation for the upcoming year, fostering a sense of unity and shared blessings among family and friends.

2.6. Lucky money as a Vietnamese New Year gift

Vietnamese lucky money, or “Li Xi,” is a significant Vietnamese New Year gift. The gesture of giving and receiving red envelopes of lucky money symbolizes good fortune, blessings, and well wishes for the upcoming year, fostering love and respect among generations. If you don’t have any particular ideas, giving lucky money is the most common and easiest way to express your wishes to recipients in the new year. 

Lucky money is the most common Vietnamese New Year gift (Source: Collected)

2.7. Dried candied fruits

Dried candied fruits are indispensable dishes at the banquet table to welcome guests on the first day of the new year. In Vietnamese culture, they are not just fruits but also a bridge for the whole family to gather in the first days of the new year, as everyone comes together and shares these delightful treats. If you are considering what gift to give for the Vietnamese New Year, dried candied fruits will be the top choice. 

2.8. Candies and cakes

For Vietnamese people, Tet without candy will be less cheerful. That’s why they often welcome guests with complete and attractive candy trays during Tet. Therefore, a lucky gift basket filled with delicious Vietnamese cakes is also an exciting idea to give to friends and relatives on the occasion of the new year. 

2.9. Dried tea bags

Enjoying a hot cup of tea is one of the beautiful traditions of Vietnamese Tet. A hot teapot perfectly complements sweet cakes and candied fruits, bringing people closer together. That’s why many Vietnamese people prefer choosing a Vietnamese tea as a New Year gift for their elders, friends, and relatives. 

Gifting tea for Tet is a long-lived tradition of the Vietnamese people (Source: Collected)

2.10. Wall paintings – a great gift for Vietnamese New Year

Nowadays, people often give each other sets of four-season paintings of Tung – Cuc – Truc – Mai. These paintings are symbols of good luck and well wishes for the homeowner, signifying a prosperous and healthy new year as well as the hope for a joyous reunion. Additionally, landscape paintings are also a popular choice for Vietnamese New Year gifts, capturing the essence of scenic beauty that many people appreciate.

3. The 5 most popular modern Vietnamese New Year gifts

Besides traditional Vietnamese New Year gifts, you can also choose many modern presents that are more trendy:

3.1. Wine bottles

Wine possesses eye-catching colors (typically red) and symbolizes luck and fortune in the new year. Therefore, many people choose them to give as gifts during Tet to send the best wishes to the recipient. Furthermore, wine also has a luxurious and sophisticated appearance, helping to express appreciation for the recipient.

3.2. Gift baskets

Many people choose Vietnamese New Year gift baskets to give on this special occasion because they are compact, formal, and highly luxurious. You can select products such as candy, water, wine, and high-end or health products in the basket. Hand-selecting each item helps make the gift valuable and shows sincerity.

The gift basket symbolizes the wish for a full and prosperous New Year (Source: Collected)

3.3. Wristwatches

Watches are not simply for telling the time but also have a meaning in preserving memorable moments between the giver and the recipient. Giving a wristwatch has significant meaning as it shows appreciation for memories. From there, we convey trust and love at the beginning of the new year, promising a bond to overcome difficulties in the future.

3.4. Perfume sets

According to Vietnamese beliefs, Tet is the beginning of a new year, so everything must go smoothly for the year to be prosperous and lucky. In addition to wearing red clothes, spraying a little perfume will also keep the whole year fragrant and favorable. Therefore, giving perfume on the Tet holiday is no longer strange in recent years.

3.5. Leather handbags or wallets

Leather handbags and wallets are ideal as Tet gifts to those you trust, love, cherish, etc. The gift ensures luxury and sophistication but still fosters closeness between two people. Besides, giving a leather wallet or handbag also means preserving wealth, having good luck, and success in work.

Young people often give each other leather wallets on New Year’s Eve (Source: Collected)

4. Which Vietnamese New Year gift do the locals avoid?

When selecting what gift to give for the Vietnamese New Year, it’s essential to be aware of items to avoid. Here are the Vietnamese New Year gifts that should be omitted:

• Gifts in black: In Vietnamese culture, black symbolizes unfortunate and ominous symbolism.
• Sharp objects like knives and scissors: These items are believed to imply conflicts and the severing of relationships, bringing about bad luck and potential dangers for the upcoming year.
• Cuttlefish: In the northern regions of Vietnam, cuttlefish are believed to usher in bad luck. As a result, people tend to avoid consuming cuttlefish during the first days of the new year and month.
• Cacti and thorny flowers symbolize difficulties and a lack of luck for the new year.
• Lighters or matches: Vietnamese people hold that gifting lighters or matches during these days may bring misfortune in the coming year, as well as negatively affect one’s financial and business endeavors.

Don’t borrow lighters on the first day of lunar month or year (Source: Collected)

>>> Learn the common phrases to say Happy New Year in Vietnamese to wish your loved ones on Vietnam’s most important holiday! 

Tet, the most essential occasion in the Vietnamese calendar, offers visitors to become deeply immersed in its diverse culture. Whether you find yourself in Hanoi, Hoi An, Nha Trang, or Phu Quoc, each region on your Vietnam travel journey provides a distinctive yet equally captivating Tet experience. 

Despite their regional uniqueness, what binds them together is the shared enthusiasm and delight in ushering in the new year through a tapestry of vibrant celebrations that showcase the rich cultural tapestry of Vietnam.

In your journey through Vietnam during the Tet holiday, be sure to include a visit to VinWonders Wave Park & Water Park, VinKE & Vinpearl Aquarium, VinWonders Nam Hoi An, VinWonders Nha Trang, and VinWonders Phu Quoc. These attractions offer thrilling amusements, enlightening experiences, and unforgettable moments, ensuring a vibrant and joyful Tet celebration. Whether you’re in the north, central, or southern regions, these destinations promise an exciting and culturally rich experience during this festive season.

VinWonders Nam Hoi An is the top entertainment paradise in the charming ancient city

>>> Book tickets of VinWonders Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, Nam Hoi An, VinKE & Vinpearl Aquarium and VinWonders Wave Park & Water Park and enjoy your endless fun in Vietnam!

Tet is the most important traditional festival for the Vietnamese people. Consequently, selecting Tet gifts is often a careful consideration, as they carry more than just a present; they convey numerous well-wishes for prosperity, safety, and the recipient’s best desires in the new year. Hopefully, this article has provided you with a better understanding of the distinctive Tet culture in Vietnam and has helped you choose the most suitable Vietnamese New Year gifts for your loved ones.