Gifts are a common response to invitations. The gift, naturally, is an expression of gratitude and courtesy from the attendees towards the host, as well as an expectation of the broader social context; in other words, the relationship seen here is a psychological one.

Simply stated above, gift giving is still an art that transcends geographical boundaries and varies across cultures. Take Vietnam and birthday parties as an example. With a rich cultural history and a high frequency of acculturation, gift giving etiquette in this Southeast Asian country is a bit more complicated than in Western countries. Therefore, Vietnamese sincerity does not equal a careless last-minute measure: an art in itself, buying a gift, as usual, means paying attention to taste and preferences. recipient’s preferences.

Photo: @ giaygoiqua.vn

In addition, flowers are irreplaceable: they are like an appetizer, a companion that adorns a birthday present. A Vietnamese-made souvenir, needless to say, no matter how surprising it may be; however a word from your native country is always appreciated, as long as there is a complete guide to it. Likewise, a gift that is too expensive for a new acquaintance is not necessarily taboo but creates an awkward situation, especially for girls.

Photo: @sientobonito

Furthermore, a birthday present should be wrapped in colorful sheets of paper. It is best to avoid black: perhaps fashionable in Western cultures, but a sign of death in most Asian countries including Vietnam. So is plain white; though an ivory wrapper with some elegant patterns on it is hard to go wrong with. In addition, you should leave open the option to open gifts when present.

So choosing a birthday gift in Vietnam is as difficult as choosing a gift in your own country, with culturally specific expectations. And in general, money is not the problem: Vietnamese people honor the following saying: “Money is too much to count; the heart does ”(The most important thing is the tam long).