(VOVWORLD) - Giving lucky money to children has long been a Vietnamese tradition for Tet, the Lunar New Year Festival. But this tradition is changing. Books and tree seeds are given as Tet gifts instead of money. This trend is getting more and more popular.
 Giving books as Tet gifts is getting more and more popular in Vietnam. (Photo: phunuvietnam.vn) |
Giving books, the gift of knowledge, is like a wish for success in the New Lunar Year. Ms. Nguyen Thu Trang in Hanoi bought more than 30 books designed for different age groups as Tet gifts.
“I think books are meaningful and practical Tet gifts for the children instead of money. Books will encourage them to explore the world,” she said.
This Tet, Nguyen Van Hung brought home a lot of books for his children and relatives. Hung hoped that the books would help his children relax, especially as outdoor activities are restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Books are meaning gifts for the children’s spiritual lives. Books provide knowledge and teach great human values,” he said.
To meet the increasing demand, publishing houses have been releasing many book collections with colorful and fun pictures for Tet. Ms. Nguyen Thuy Loan of Kim Dong Publishing House, said giving books as gifts is not only a good custom but also helps spread reading culture.
“Through books, children can learn about lots of things, including history, culture, cuisine, traditions and customs. Children develop with the knowledge they read from books, “ said Loan.
 Kim Dong Publishing House releases new books for Tet. (Photo: phunuvietnam.vn) |
With an aim to bring knowledge to children in remote areas, late last year, Miss Universe Vietnam 2017 H’Hen Nie and the Israeli Embassy in Vietnam set up a library with more than 10,000 books for ethnic minority elementary schools in Bac Me district in the northern province of Ha Giang.
“We hope that the library will encourage the children’s reading habits and light up their dreams for the future. We plan to set up more libraries in other provinces and cities, especially for disadvantaged children, in the coming time,” said H’Hen Nie.
In recent years, many book donation drives have been launched by community groups in Ninh Binh, Lang Son, Nghe An, Quang Binh, and Quang Tri provinces.