Whenever Tet arrives with the coming of spring, amidst the joyful atmosphere of family reunions, the image of vibrant red envelopes becomes an indispensable symbol. It is not just a material gift, but also a vessel for countless good wishes, care, and love between generations. As we step into the Year of the Fire Horse 2026, the custom of exchanging red envelopes retains its timeless value, acting as a bond of kinship and preserving the beautiful cultural traditions of the Vietnamese people. Let's delve deeper into the meaning of red envelopes during the traditional Tet holiday.

What is the origin of the Tet lucky money tradition?

The custom of giving lucky money has a long history, originating from a Chinese folktale passed down through many generations. The story goes that in ancient times, there was a demon named "Tuy" who would appear on New Year's Eve to pat the heads of sleeping children, causing them to startle, cry, and then fall ill. Therefore, families with young children often had to stay awake all night to watch over them and prevent the demon from causing harm.

On one occasion, a couple in their late 50s had just had a lovely baby boy. On New Year's Eve that year, they were terrified that Tuy would come to harm their child. Eight fairies passing by knew of their worries and transformed themselves into eight copper coins. They told the mother to wrap the coins in a piece of red cloth and place it beside the baby's pillow. When Tuy appeared and was about to touch the child's head, the coins in the red cloth suddenly shone with a brilliant golden light, scaring the demon away. This story quickly spread. From then on, every Tet, adults would put money into red bags or paper envelopes to give to children, with the wish that they would be protected, healthy, and safe in the new year. This custom is called "lì xì," which means "lucky money," and gradually became a beautiful cultural feature of Tet in many Asian countries, including Vietnam.

Why are lucky money envelopes usually red?

Red is not an arbitrary choice for lucky money envelopes. In Eastern culture, the color red carries many special meanings. It is the color of luck, happiness, prosperity, and positive energy. It is believed that red has the power to ward off evil spirits, bad luck, and bring about a good start to the new year.

Therefore, the red envelope is not just a container for money, but is a blessing in itself. It symbolizes the good fortune and auspicious wishes that the giver wants to convey to the recipient. For this reason, the focus of giving lì xì is on the vibrant red envelope rather than the amount of money inside. This is a subtle cultural point, reminding us that affection and good wishes are more valuable than material things.

What is the profound meaning of red envelopes in Vietnamese culture?

Tet red envelopes contain deep spiritual values and messages that vary depending on the recipient:

• For children: This is the most common meaning of lì xì. Adults give lucky money to young children with wishes for them to eat well and grow up fast, be obedient, excel in their studies, and have good luck in the new year. The lucky money serves as a small gift of encouragement. More importantly, it teaches children about gratitude and respect for their elders when they receive it and say thank you.
• For grandparents and parents: When children have grown up, have careers and an income, giving lì xì to their elders takes on a completely different meaning. It is not about "celebrating a new age" but an act of showing respect, filial piety, and gratitude for their upbringing. The red envelope at this time is a wish for health, longevity, and happiness for parents and grandparents. It is a way for children to show their filial duty, demonstrating that they are mature and can now care for their parents.
• Among friends and colleagues: The custom of lì xì has also extended to social relationships. Friends and colleagues can exchange small red envelopes as a wish for a prosperous new year, successful careers, and all things to go as desired. It shows care, connection, and a shared hope for a successful year together.

In general, the red envelope is a medium for conveying love, luck, and blessings. It is a symbol of passing luck from one generation to the next, from one person to another, creating a warm and hopeful atmosphere in the first days of the new year.

How should one prepare and give lucky money for Tet 2026 properly?

To ensure the act of giving and receiving lucky money is truly meaningful, we should also pay attention to a few subtle rules of etiquette:

Preparation:

• Choose new bills: It is advisable to use new, crisp banknotes for the red envelopes. New money symbolizes a fresh, pure, and lucky start. Avoid using old, wrinkled, or small change.
• Symbolic numbers: Some people carefully choose amounts with lucky numbers, such as those containing the number 6 (fortune), 8 (prosperity), or 9 (eternity). However, the most important thing is the sentiment, not the monetary value.
• Choose beautiful envelopes: Today, red envelopes come in a wide variety of designs. You can choose designs featuring the zodiac animal of the Year of the Fire Horse 2026, or patterns of apricot blossoms, peach blossoms, couplets, etc., to enhance the Tet atmosphere.

Giving and Receiving:

• When giving: Adults should give lucky money to children with both hands to show respect. This should be accompanied by warm and meaningful new year wishes for the recipient. A smile and sincerity are essential.
• When receiving: The recipient, especially children, should be taught to receive lucky money with both hands and say thank you, along with a reciprocal Tet wish for the giver. This act demonstrates politeness and respect.
• Do not open the envelope in front of the giver: This is an unwritten but very important rule. Opening the envelope immediately is considered impolite, as it shows more curiosity about the material value than appreciation for the meaning of the gift.

What are the special design trends for red envelopes for the Year of the Fire Horse 2026?

Along with societal development, the design of the bao lì xì (red envelope) has become increasingly creative and diverse, reflecting the personality and aesthetic taste of the giver. Here are a few trends that might be popular for Tet of the Fire Horse 2026:

• Traditional style: Designs featuring the image of the horse (the zodiac animal for the Year of the Fire Horse), calligraphy (Fortune, Wealth, Longevity, Peace), apricot or peach blossoms... remain popular as they evoke a strong traditional Tet atmosphere.
• Modern and minimalist style: Many young people prefer minimalist designs, using elegant colors, stylized patterns, and modern fonts. Unique, humorous (trending) wishes are also an interesting touch.
• Eco-friendly materials: The green living trend also influences the production of red envelopes. Recycled paper, kraft paper, or other environmentally friendly materials will be a meaningful choice, preserving culture while protecting the planet.
• Personalization: Red envelopes printed with a family name, company logo, or personal messages are becoming increasingly popular, creating a special touch for the giver.

Conclusion

The red envelope is not merely a new year's gift. It is the embodiment of a beautiful spiritual culture, a bridge of affection between people. No matter how modern society becomes, the value of giving and receiving good wishes wrapped in a vibrant red envelope will never change. Hopefully, during the upcoming tết 2026, we will all preserve and promote this wonderful custom, so that every red envelope given is filled with love and the best wishes for a peaceful and prosperous new year.