Sun Hongbo, a Chinese businessman, arrived in Ha Noi for work on 18/2/2024 (the second day of Tet). While navigating with a mapping application, he mistakenly went to the wrong address and sought assistance from a soldier at a nearby guard post.
"The soldier was very friendly and enthusiastically guided me to my destination", Sun said. After providing directions, the soldier also presented him with a red envelope containing lucky money for the New Year.
Having never received such a gift from a stranger, Sun considers this a memorable experience in Vietnam. He shared his story on expat groups to spread a positive message. In the comments section, user Hung Anh remarked, "Vietnamese people are always this hospitable". Another user suggested that these small gestures are an effective way to promote tourism.
Sun has not opened the envelope and does not intend to spend the money. He plans to take the gift back to China as a souvenir and share his experience in Vietnam with his family.
According to Sun, Chinese people still observe the custom of giving lucky money, but it is rarely given to strangers. In northern China, the amount of lucky money given to relatives typically ranges from 500-1,000 NDT (approximately 1.8-3.6 million dong). In contrast, in areas bordering Vietnam, people often exchange 5-30 NDT (18,000-110,000 dong) to wish for good luck at the start of the year. Additionally, hanging red couplets to pray for good fortune is a common practice in China, which the visitor noted was less prevalent in Ha Noi.
During his first overseas trip in February 2024, Sun chose Ha Noi as his first stop, describing it as the "best trip of my life". He was initially overwhelmed by the dense motorbike traffic and surprised to see street vendors over 60 years old communicating fluently in English. For the visitor, the openness of the locals is evidence of a dynamic economy.
In Da Nang and TP HCM, Sun continued to be impressed by the enthusiastic support from local residents, from providing directions to offering drinks.
"This warmth is quite different from the lifestyle in China, where people are rather reserved. If you smile at a stranger on the street, they might judge you and wonder if something is wrong", Sun said.
Hoai Anh
