I read the posts in other NY threads and wondered if yall could tell me more about the "red envelopes"? and traditions of giving money. Perhaps I misunderstood some of the posts, but is it not tradition to give money to family members of all ages? Or only to younger generations? do these traditions vary among viet regions?

Are there any other traditions beside money exchange and great food?

Thanks!
Tiffany

Those little red envelopes are only for kids, at least that's how it was for me growing up.

Only for people that are younger than you

When I was young I'd like that tradion of giving money. Now I don't do it anymore because I won't receive anything. 2 j/k It's sad I don't know any Viet kids, my family are dieing out.

lol, yep only for 17 & under right?

I've never seen an adult who's received a little red envelope.

Thanks for the replies. My MIL sends money home to Viet - to her mother, uncle and daughter. She likes to celebrate the viet or lunar NY, or I should say she talks about it coming up - but she's pretty much alone here and I wondered if there were any traditions that might be appropriate for me to do for or with her; like giving her a red envelope - but that seems inappropriate now. I read on a tourism type website about peach and apricot blossom branches and wondered if that was for real or BS. Do southern viets really buy apricot branche(s) during the holiday? Last year she went home for the NY.
Tiffany

OOooo...so...CAn you guys each send me a red envelope with money in it? I'll be more than Grateful to say "Thank YOU!"

(sorry if i offened your culture)

What's MIL? lol

I don't know the English name for it, but the Vietnamese name for it is Hoa Mai.

It's a tradition for every house to have hoa mai branches or trees!

Northern Vietnamese prefer Hoa Dao instead, it's a type of Cherry Blossom

Mother in Law.

Just wish her luck, good health, longevity and, um, beauty that never fades.

im 19 and i still receive money..but i hear asking for money is bad luck on new years...

Thanks a lot everyone~ interesting topic to me. I appreciate the input and the photos too.

Tiffany