How much lì xì to give

There's no fixed amount of lì xì (lucky money) you're supposed to give at Tết. What matters more is who you're giving to, what fits your budget and how the money is presented: new, crisp bills in a red or gold envelope, handed over with a warm wish.

That answer can feel unhelpful when you're standing at the bank wondering how many envelopes to fill. So here is a practical way to think it through, whether you're giving in Vietnam or in a Vietnamese family abroad.

Who usually gives lì xì, and to whom?

Lì xì flows mostly from older to younger and from earning adults to people who aren't earning yet. The usual pattern looks like this:

• Parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles give to children in the family.
• Adults give to the children of friends and neighbors who visit during Tết.
• Married or working adult children often give to their parents and grandparents, as a way of wishing them health and long life.
• Employers sometimes give small envelopes to staff at the start of the new year.

In the North you'll often hear the custom called mừng tuổi (roughly "MUNG too-ee"), which means "celebrating a year of age." In the South, lì xì ("lee see") is the everyday word. Both refer to the same red envelopes. If you want the background on the custom itself, start with what lì xì is and where it comes from.

How to decide on an amount

Instead of copying a number someone quoted online, work it out from three questions.

How close is the relationship? Your own children, parents and grandparents usually get the most generous envelopes. A friend's child who drops by for ten minutes gets a smaller one. Nobody expects the same amount for everyone.

How old is the person? A toddler doesn't care about the number inside; an envelope with a modest bill is plenty. Teenagers notice more. Many families step amounts up as children get older, then stop once a young person starts working.

What can you comfortably repeat? Tết visiting can last several days, and you may hand out far more envelopes than you planned. Pick amounts you can give to every child who visits without straining your budget. Giving the same modest amount to every guest child is fairer, and kinder to you, than giving a lot to some and running out for others.

A simple approach is to set two or three tiers: one for close family, one for children of friends and neighbors, and one for elders you want to honor. Then prepare envelopes for each tier in advance.

Why new bills matter more than the number

The symbolism of lì xì is about a fresh start. That's why people line up at banks before Tết to swap old notes for new ones. A crisp, unfolded bill looks like a good wish; a crumpled one looks like an afterthought.

In Vietnam, polymer đồng notes are common for lì xì because they stay clean and bright. Abroad, many families use new US dollar bills in the same spirit. A few other small touches people care about:

• Use a red or gold envelope rather than a plain white one, since white is associated with mourning.
• Put the money in before you go visiting, so you aren't counting bills in front of guests.
• Some people avoid amounts tied to unlucky-sounding numbers. The number four, for example, can sound like the word for death in Sino-Vietnamese, and some families skip it. Beliefs vary from family to family.
• Coins are usually avoided; bills feel more like a gift.

How to give and receive it politely

The way you hand over lì xì matters as much as what's inside. Give the envelope with both hands, or with your right hand supported by your left, and say a short wish. For a child, you might say "Chúc con học giỏi, chăm ngoan" (wishing you good grades and good behavior). For an elder, something like "Chúc ông bà sống lâu, mạnh khỏe" (wishing you long life and good health) fits well. There are many more wishes in our guide to Tết greetings and what they mean.

Children are taught to receive the envelope with both hands, say thank you and a wish in return, and not open it in front of the giver. Checking the amount on the spot is considered rude in most families. Parents often remind kids before visits, and many children hand their envelopes over to their parents for safekeeping afterward.

Is it okay to give a small amount?

Yes. The point of lì xì is the wish, and a small envelope given warmly is completely acceptable. Many people describe it as "lucky money" rather than a real present, so the amount is secondary. What would come across badly is skipping a child entirely when you've given to everyone else in the room, or handing over money without an envelope.

If you're new to a Vietnamese family, it's perfectly fine to ask your partner or a relative what the family usually does. Customs differ between households, regions and generations, and asking shows you care about getting it right.

Giving lì xì outside Vietnam

Vietnamese communities abroad keep the custom alive, often blended with local habits. Some families give envelopes at a Tết party instead of during house visits. Some use digital transfers between adult relatives who live far apart, though children still tend to get paper envelopes. If you're invited to a Tết gathering and you know there will be children, bringing a few small envelopes is a thoughtful gesture.

Before Tết, get your new bills and fill a few extra envelopes, because there's always one more child at the door than you expected.