In a Vietnamese family, the birthday of a parent or grandparent is a chance to gather the generations and show care and respect. Choosing congratulation flowers, writing the right wish and planning the day thoughtfully lets an older person feel how much they matter to the family.
Do older people need a birthday party?
For many older people a birthday no longer feels as important as it did when they were young. Even so, celebrating it and offering good wishes is an occasion for the family to come together, to connect the generations and to show love to the people who raised them.
It is also a day on which an older person receives a birthday bouquet and small gifts from relatives and friends, and enjoys favourite dishes and drinks. These things add real pleasure to the day.
Still, think it through first. Some older people dislike being the centre of a crowd and would rather spend a quiet day with close family. That wish deserves respect.
So whether and how to celebrate depends on the person. Whatever you plan, plan it carefully and put the comfort and the wishes of the person being celebrated first.
Birthday wishes for older people, in Vietnamese with English meanings
Besides gifts and flowers that show respect, a well-chosen wish expresses your feelings and adds to the joy of the day. Each wish below is given in Vietnamese, ready to copy into a card or a message, followed by its meaning in English.
A note on forms of address: Vietnamese has no neutral “you” or “I” within the family. The speaker names the relationship instead. Ông is grandfather and bà is grandmother; bố is father and mẹ is mother. The person writing calls himself or herself cháu (grandchild, niece or nephew) or con (child). Where a wish shows two words with a slash, such as Ông/Bà, keep only the one that fits.
Longevity wishes for grandparents
Several of these mention mừng thọ, the celebration of a long life held for elderly relatives.
- Cầu Chúa ban phước lành cho Ông/Bà, thật nhiều sức khỏe bình an và sống vui vẻ với con cháu. Chúc mừng sinh nhật Ông/Bà., “May God bless you, Grandfather/Grandmother, with good health, peace and happy days among your children and grandchildren. Happy birthday.” Suitable for a Christian family.
- Hôm nay là ngày mừng thọ của Ông/Bà, kính chúc Ông/Bà của cháu luôn khỏe mạnh, sống vui khỏe. Chờ ngày cháu đưa cháu dâu về cho bà xem mắt nhé. Yêu bà nhiều.: “Today is your longevity celebration. I respectfully wish you lasting health and happy days. Wait for the day I bring my bride home for you to meet. I love you very much.” From an unmarried grandson.
- Nhân ngày mừng thọ bà, cháu cảm ơn bà bao năm yêu thương và lo lắng cho ba mẹ, cho anh chị em cháu. Bà phải thật khỏe mạnh, sống bên gia đình cháu thật lâu, hưởng phúc từ con cháu bà nhé. “On your longevity celebration, Grandmother, thank you for all the years you have loved and worried over my parents, my brothers and sisters and me. Please stay strong, live with our family for a long time and enjoy the blessings your children and grandchildren bring.”
- Bà ơi bà, cháu yêu bà lắm! Kính chúc bà luôn vui và hạnh phúc trong sinh nhật. Cháu chúc bà sống khỏe, sống lâu, sống đến bạc đầu, chờ ngày cháu đưa rể về ạ., “Grandmother, I love you so much! I wish you joy and happiness on your birthday. May you live in good health for many years, until the day I bring a grandson-in-law home.” From an unmarried granddaughter.
- Chúc mừng sinh nhật ông nội thân yêu! Xin Chúa ban phước lành cho ông, mạnh khỏe và bình an. Chúng cháu sẽ cố gắng học thật giỏi để ông vui ạ., “Happy birthday, dear Grandfather! May God bless you with health and peace. We will study hard to make you happy.” From school-age grandchildren to their father’s father (ông nội).
- Người ông kính yêu nhất đời con, nhân ngày sinh nhật đặc biệt này, con xin gửi đến ông những lời chúc tốt đẹp nhất từ đáy lòng mình. Chúc ông luôn tràn đầy sức khỏe và vui vẻ, bình an., “To the grandfather I love and respect most: on this special birthday I send you my best wishes from the bottom of my heart. May you always be full of health, cheerful and at peace.”
- Con không có những món quà to tát, con chỉ mong ông bà sống vui sống khỏe để con về còn gặp mặt bà. Mong ông bà sống bình an, khỏe mạnh là cháu vui lắm ạ. Mãi yêu ông bà.: “I have no grand gift. I only hope you both stay well and happy so that I can still see you when I come home. Knowing you live in peace and good health makes me very happy. I will always love you.” For both grandparents, from a grandchild living far away.
- Nhân dịp ông bà thượng thọ … tuổi, con kính chúc ông bà được dồi dào sức khỏe, luôn có nhiều niềm vui bên con cháu. Đặc biệt, con mong rằng ông bà dù tuổi đã cao nhưng vẫn tràn trề sức khỏe, tâm hồn luôn vui vẻ. “On the occasion of your … birthday, I respectfully wish you abundant health and many joys with your children and grandchildren. Above all, I hope that at this great age you stay strong and light of heart.” Put the age before tuổi (“years old”). A formal wish for a milestone age.
- Năm nay không được về dự lễ mừng thọ của ông, con cũng rất buồn, chỉ biết kính gửi lời chúc thọ ông yêu quý, chúc ông sống vui và khỏe mỗi ngày, đợi ngày con đưa nàng dâu về ra mắt ông nhé! “I am sad that I cannot come home for your longevity celebration this year. I can only send my wishes, dear Grandfather: may you be happy and well every day, and wait for the day I bring my bride home to meet you!” For when you cannot attend.
- Chúc ông bà yêu quý của con bách niên giai lão, sống lâu trăm tuổi để đón nhận tình yêu thương ấm áp của con cháu trong gia đình. Chúc ông bà luôn vui khỏe và yêu đời., “I wish my dear grandparents a hundred years together, a life of a hundred years to receive the warm love of their children and grandchildren. May you always be well, happy and fond of life.” For the couple together.
Birthday messages for parents
- Chúc mừng sinh nhật người bố tuyệt vời, thần tượng số 1 của con. Con xin chúc bố luôn luôn mạnh khỏe, vui vẻ và mãi là điểm tựa vững chắc cho gia đình mình nhé. “Happy birthday to a wonderful father, my number one idol. I wish you good health and happiness always, and may you remain the firm support of our family.”
- Chúc mừng sinh nhật bố. Chúc bố một năm nữa gặt được nhiều thành công, hạnh phúc. Cảm ơn bố đã luôn bên cạnh, ủng hộ và động viên con., “Happy birthday, Dad. I wish you another year of success and happiness. Thank you for always being beside me, supporting and encouraging me.”
- Chúc bố sinh nhật vui vẻ. Con hy vọng hôm nay sẽ là ngày bố tràn ngập tiếng cười và yêu thương. Chúc bố luôn mạnh khỏe và mãi thành công., “Have a happy birthday, Dad. I hope today is full of laughter and love for you. May you always be healthy and successful.” Short enough for a text message.
- Mẹ yêu! Cảm ơn mẹ bởi đã cho con cất tiếng khóc chào đời và vất vả, hi sinh để nuôi con khôn lớn. Trong ngày đặc biệt này của mẹ, con chỉ muốn nói với mẹ rằng con yêu mẹ nhất trên đời này, mong mẹ sẽ mãi luôn mạnh khỏe và ở bên con thật lâu, thật lâu mẹ nhé! Chúc mừng sinh nhật mẹ yêu!, “Dear Mum! Thank you for bringing me into the world and for the hardship and sacrifice of raising me. On your special day I only want to tell you that I love you more than anyone, and I hope you stay healthy and with me for a long, long time. Happy birthday, dear Mum!”
- Nếu có giải thưởng “Người mẹ số 1 thế giới” thì con tin chắc rằng mẹ sẽ dành chiến thắng mỗi năm. Chúc mẹ của con sinh nhật vui vẻ và luôn hạnh phúc! Con yêu mẹ rất nhiều!, “If there were a prize for ‘World’s Number One Mother’, I am sure you would win it every year. Happy birthday, Mum, and may you always be happy! I love you very much!” A lighter, playful wish.
Birthday wishes for older relatives (aunts and uncles)
Here cô and dì mean aunt, on the father’s and the mother’s side, and chú means uncle.
- Ngày sinh nhật Cô/Chú, cháu chúc Cô/Chú hôm nay và các ngày trong năm luôn dồi dào sức khỏe, hạnh phúc và thành công. Chúc gia đình Cô/Chú luôn bình an., “On your birthday, Aunt/Uncle, I wish you good health, happiness and success today and every day of the year. May your family always be at peace.” A safe, polite choice, also suitable for an older family friend addressed this way.
- Nhân dịp sinh nhật Cô/Chú, mong Cô/Chú thật nhiều sức khỏe, niềm vui. Cháu cảm ơn sự yêu thương Cô/Chú dành cho chị em cháu những năm qua, chị em cháu yêu Cô/Chú rất nhiều. “On your birthday I wish you good health and much joy. Thank you for the love you have given my sisters and brothers and me over the years. We love you very much.”
- Dì cháu lúc nào cũng là người phụ nữ tuyệt vời nhất, đảm đang, giỏi giang và luôn là thần tượng của cháu trong công việc và trong đời sống. Chúc dì mãi là người phụ nữ tuyệt vời, chú và các anh chị mãi yêu thương và hãnh diện về dì. Happy Birthday dì xinh đẹp của cháu., “My aunt has always been the most wonderful woman: capable, talented, and my role model at work and in life. May you always be that wonderful woman, and may your husband and children always love you and be proud of you. Happy birthday, my beautiful aunt.”
- Chúc mừng sinh nhật chú, người cha thứ hai của con. Con chúc chú luôn luôn mạnh khỏe, có một sức khỏe tốt và thành công trong mọi lĩnh vực. Hẹn chú cuối tuần, hai vợ chồng con qua nhà dùng bữa tối ấm cúng ạ., “Happy birthday, Uncle, my second father. I wish you lasting good health and success in everything. See you at the weekend: my spouse and I will come over for a cosy dinner.” From a married niece or nephew.
- Cháu thầm cảm ơn thượng đế đã cho cháu một người chú tuyệt vời đến thế. Cảm ơn chú thật nhiều vì luôn hướng dẫn con trong công việc, giúp con có chỗ đứng vững vàng trong sự nghiệp. Chú mãi phong độ và tuyệt vời trong mắt cháu., “I quietly thank heaven for giving me such a wonderful uncle. Thank you so much for always guiding me in my work and helping me find a firm footing in my career. In my eyes you will always be distinguished and wonderful.” For an uncle who has been a mentor.
What to prepare when organising a birthday for an older person
Organising a birthday for an elderly relative is a way to show affection, care and respect. Paying attention to the points below helps make the day a happy one for them.
Announce the party in advance
When you plan the celebration, tell the person beforehand so that they can arrange their time and look after their health in order to attend. Older people generally prefer to know in advance: it lets them prepare themselves and look forward to the day.
Choose and decorate a suitable place
Older people usually like somewhere quiet, airy and comfortable where they can talk with their children and grandchildren. Flosa suggests these settings.
Choose a warm, comfortable space for a relative’s birthday
- At home: the most familiar and relaxed setting. Decorate with birthday flowers, soft candlelight and a cake alongside an intimate family meal.
- A restaurant: choose one with an open, spacious room that serves dishes the older guests enjoy, and keep the decoration warm, with gentle fresh flowers.
- A golf club: for an older person who loves the sport, a club or course offers green surroundings and the company of friends. You need only bring a cake, an elegant bouquet and some suitable food and drink.
- A resort: a family trip makes a birthday surprise. The guests are usually close family. Decorate the room warmly and enjoy the time together.
Plan the celebration itself
Once the place is decided, you can plan the decoration. For older family members it is usually simple: they tend not to like anything elaborate or expensive. A birthday flower basket, balloons and a cake are enough. It is also a nice touch to print photographs of the parents or grandparents and set them out in tasteful frames. The memories they bring back often move the guest of honour.
Food to prepare for an older person’s birthday party
Keep these points in mind when choosing the menu.
- A variety of dishes: older hosts tend to worry that guests will find nothing they can eat or will leave dissatisfied, so variety matters. Ask the guest of honour about their tastes. If anyone is vegetarian, on a restricted diet or allergic to something, find out and prepare for it; that attention is itself a sign of sincere care.
- Easy to eat and nourishing: choose nourishing dishes that are neither hard nor chewy, and avoid deep-fried food, which is heavy on the stomach.
- A light dessert: fresh fruit, a mildly sweet cake or fruit juice suits a party for older people.
A varied menu matters at a birthday meal for older relatives
Some dishes that suit the occasion:
- Soup: the clear soups served with a Vietnamese meal are easy to digest and can carry vegetables, meat or seafood. For someone with a delicate stomach, choose a vegetable, chicken or salmon soup.
- Green vegetables: a good source of fibre. Mustard greens, broccoli, Chinese cabbage, kale, cabbage, tomatoes, water spinach and other local leafy greens are common in dishes for older people.
- Protein: chicken, beef, fish, eggs, tofu, peas, black beans and chia seeds.
- A fruit basket: fresh fruit such as apples, pineapple, mango, avocado, strawberries, grapes, oranges, mandarins, pomelo and lemons. A basket of flowers and fruit is a thoughtful choice for the day.
- Foods rich in fibre: wheat, oats, brown rice, peas, chia seeds, almonds and walnuts, which are gentle on the digestion.
Which flowers to give an older person on their birthday
The peony, known as the king of flowers
In Vietnam these flowers are commonly chosen for an older person’s birthday, each for the meaning it is given:
- Peony: wealth and honour
- Lisianthus: good luck
- Sunflower: freshness and abundant happiness
- Orchid: love and perfection
- Hydrangea: family togetherness
- Rose: lasting love
How to choose a practical birthday gift for an older person
A birthday gift means a great deal to an older person and adds to the pleasure of their day. Here are some ideas.
Gifts for the middle-aged, from 40 to 60
- A birthday flower basket: a simple gift that carries a lot of meaning. Choose the flowers according to the taste of the person you are giving them to.
- Jewellery: a favourite gift for middle-aged women. It is a formal present that tells the recipient she is elegant and deserves something that sparkles.
- A watch: a suitable gift for a middle-aged man. At that age a watch is seen as a mark of standing and of someone who values time.
- Feng shui objects: a popular gift at present. Many people of this age believe that objects in harmony with feng shui bring luck and prosperity. Find out first whether the recipient cares for such things, and consider the meaning of the object and whether it suits their taste and their home.
- Household appliances: popular with mothers because they lighten the housework. An air fryer, a vacuum cleaner or an oven makes a good birthday gift for a mother.
- Good, clean fruit: what middle-aged people often care about most is health. A bouquet that combines fresh flowers and fruit is a pleasant surprise.
Longevity gifts for grandparents
- A family album: a sentimental gift with photographs of every member of the family, marking milestones and years gone by.
- Bedding: a good night’s sleep is precious to older people. A soft set of sheets, blanket and pillows helps them rest more deeply.
- Nourishing food: edible bird’s nest, milk formulated for the elderly, tonics and other nourishing products are customary gifts for older relatives.
- A massage machine: older people often suffer from aching joints and backs. A good massager helps them relax.
- A blood pressure monitor: useful in any household with elderly members, so that they can keep an eye on their health regularly.
- An air purifier: dust and air pollution are a growing concern, especially for older people’s breathing. A purifier is a practical gift for their living space.
- A regular health check package: health declines with age, and a check-up package means a great deal to the recipient and the family. Look for a reputable provider that fits the person and your budget.
- A radio: a simple gift with great sentimental value. Older people with weak eyesight cannot watch television for long; a radio lets them listen to the news, to music or to Buddhist sermons.
Avoid gifts that are heavy, complicated to use or unsafe for an older person.
Places in Vietnam for a cosy family birthday trip
Vietnam is varied in culture and landscape, so there are many places where a birthday for an older relative can be combined with a family holiday. Some suggestions:
- Da Nang: a seaside city with many beaches. You can hold the party on the beach or in one of the city’s restaurants. A birthday here with children and grandchildren makes a happy memory.
- Nha Trang: one of the best-known destinations in Vietnam, with a long beach and plenty to do. You could hold the party on a boat or in a hotel in the city.
- Hoi An: an old town with a distinctive heritage and fine scenery. You could hold the party at a restaurant by the river or in a hotel.
- Sapa: a good choice if you want to leave the city and enjoy mountain scenery. A villa or resort in the area suits parents or grandparents.
- Da Lat: a city in the highlands with a cool climate. You could hold the party in a hotel or a holiday villa. Visiting the flower gardens of Da Lat is a happy memory for parents or grandparents.
You could also consider Ha Long, Phu Quoc, Hue, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The choice depends on the tastes of the person being celebrated and on your budget.
The best birthday gift for an older person is time. Spend as much of it as you can beside them, caring for them and making memories together. We hope you find a gift that is meaningful and right for them.
Flosa is an online florist that helps you choose and send flowers to friends, relatives and business partners in Vietnam, for occasions such as grand openings, birthdays, weddings, condolences and International Women’s Day on 8 March. Flosa’s florists check every stem and ask what you need before designing and arranging, so that each bouquet tells your own story.
For advice, call Flosa on +84 90 252 6176.
See also the collection for Vietnamese Women’s Day, 20 October.
