Traditionally the most special and most waited-for holiday in Vietnam, the lunar New Year usually arrives around late January or early February.

The first three days of the springtime new year are celebrated by everyone, although for many others, the festivities and other forms of celebrations can last an entire week.

Many traditional customs are practiced during this special occasion, like honoring the ancestors’ spirits, visiting close relatives on the first day of the New Year, exchanging New Year’s wishes with relatives, neighbors and friends, and especially the custom of giving lì xì or lucky money to children and elders.

This custom – which is known as mừng tuổi (many happy birthdays return) in the north and lì xì (similar to the Cantonese pronunciation "lai see") in the south - is a way of honoring children and elders in Vietnam during Tet. "Lai see" in Chinese means a thing that brings lots of luck and good fortune to kids. Nowadays, it is also a symbol of good health, success, and happiness.

Despite staying up late on New Year’s Eve to celebrate the arrival of a new year and especially honor traditional rituals dedicated to greeting the ancestors’ spirits coming back to the family for the occasion, the locals wake up early the next morning, put on their best clothes and the entire family, usually multi-generational, gathers in the living room to welcome the New Year.

Children will respectfully fold their arms in front of their chests, and, facing their parents as well as grandparents, give them the best wishes for a “Happy New Year” or “good health and longevity”.

The adults, in return, also extend their wishes to children for “Eating well and growing up healthy”, and “Happiness and prosperity” for all family members. Guests also give children lì xì as well.

To rejoice over or pray for happiness and longevity, on the first morning of Tet, adults congratulate children on becoming a year older by presenting them with red envelopes holding some freshly-minted banknotes inside.

According to traditional beliefs, the money in red envelops, usually in nominal quantity, bears a symbolic meaning while the red color of the envelope symbolizes good luck and is supposed to ward off evil spirits.

Giving li xi during the lunar New Year has been considered fortunate for both the givers and receivers. Those who give will also invite the flow of money into their house during the entire year.

Giving these envelopes symbolizes that the family fortune would be passed on to the children and the unmarried teens or adults.

According to some beliefs, lì xì is best kept and not spent immediately, a way to encourage young people to save money. Furthermore, the “lucky money”, as its name suggests, is believed to bring luck and wellness so the recipients might as well keep it.

In Vietnam, lì xì are typically given to those who are younger.

Red envelopes are used to deliver payment for favorable service to lion dance performers and religious practitioners.

“I like lì xì. I am often presented with lì xì every Tet. I like to receive lì xì in red envelops,” said 4-year-old Hoang Anh Minh in Phan Van Tri Street, Go Vap.

He said that he would spend part of the money on toys and the remaining he will keep in his piggy bank so he can buy a new house for his parents in the future, he added.

But that house could just be a castle in the air.

Five-year-old Khanh Vy in Le Van Sy Street, Phu Nhuan said she often received lì xì from guests who visit her family during Tet. Like Minh, the small girl hopes to buy some toys with the sum of money.

“I just like lì xì  when I am happy. I often receive more of it than my brother’s because I’m younger. My parents allow me to put it into my money box to celebrate my birthday, and buy some souvenir gifts for family members when we go on vacation. I also spend it on buying new dresses and comic books,” Mai Hoa, a 9 year-old girl in Vung Tau, said.

“I will use my lì xì to buy medicine for my grandmother. When I am 16 years old, I won’t take lì xì anymore because I feel ashamed to do it,” she added.

Source: tuoitrenews