Gift ideas for Vietnamese parents
Whether they are your own parents, your partner’s or a friend’s, a gift to Vietnamese parents is judged less on price than on respect: something the whole family can see and share, chosen for the right occasion.
Gifts that land well
- A moth orchid pot
Long-lasting and associated with prosperity: a classic respectful gift for Tết and for older relatives. A good plant stays in flower for weeks. See orchid pots.
- A fruit basket
Fruit is a traditional gift to elders. Families often place it on the ancestral altar first and share it afterwards. See fruit baskets.
- Flowers for the right day
Birthdays, 8 March and 20 October for mothers, Vu Lan in August or early September. Our guide to Vietnamese flower customs explains each occasion.
- Other traditional gifts
Bird’s nest, ginseng and good tea are classic presents for elders in Vietnam too. We do not sell those, but they are easy to find in any Vietnamese city.
When to give
- Tết
The main gift-giving season. Tết gifts are given in the weeks before the holiday, so a gift that arrives on time matters more than an expensive one; florists close for several days over Tết, so order early.
- Birthdays and longevity celebrations
A parent’s birthday, and above all a milestone birthday for an older relative (mừng thọ, celebrated from around 60 or 70), when the family gathers.
- Days for mothers
8 March, 20 October and Vu Lan are the days mothers in Vietnam most often receive flowers.
- Meeting a partner’s parents
Bring something for the whole family rather than for one person, such as fruit, an orchid or a cake, and offer it with both hands.
What to avoid
- White chrysanthemums or an all-white arrangement
They belong to funerals and ancestral altars.
- Knives and scissors
Many people believe a sharp gift “cuts” the relationship.
- Handkerchiefs
Associated with tears and parting.
A few words for the card
- Chúc mừng sinh nhật
Happy birthday.
- Chúc mừng năm mới
Happy New Year.
- Chúc bố mẹ luôn mạnh khỏe
Wishing you good health always, from their child. Parents are bố mẹ in the North and usually ba mẹ in the South.
- Chúc hai bác mạnh khỏe và hạnh phúc
Wishing you both good health and happiness, for your partner’s or a friend’s parents.
Write the message in the card field at checkout, in Vietnamese or in your own words in English.
Sending flowers to Vietnam from abroad
Nothing travels internationally: Flosa is a florist in Vietnam. You order on our site, the flowers are arranged in Vietnam on the day of delivery, we deliver across the country, and we send you a photo when they are handed over. You pay online when you order, by international card (Visa, Mastercard, JCB) or PayPal; no Vietnamese bank account is needed. Delivery dates and times run on Vietnam time (GMT+7).