Give a gift or give money?

Dr. Dinh Duc Tien

As the Lunar New Year approaches, we start to discuss whether we should give gifts or "ting ting" (give money by bank transfer) to please the recipient. In your opinion, from a cultural perspective, should we give gifts or "ting ting"?

Dr. Dinh Duc Tien: First of all, we have to say that giving gifts and "ting ting" money transfers are two different things. But sometimes people use "ting ting" to put into a relationship in the form of gifts. That is, they are cheating between a gift and money. We have to separate the two, otherwise it will become a story of giving gifts as an excuse but in reality it is bribery, for example.

Gift giving is related to the specific circumstances of the relationship between the giver and the receiver. There are also different issues surrounding it such as motives. When people give items or money, those items or money are not bad, they are neutral. But they are bad because of the purposes and motives of each individual; or they are good because of the purposes and motives of each individual. That gift is given by a kind-hearted person to someone in difficult circumstances, then it is clearly good money, a good gift, money in this context is positive money. But if when giving money or gifts for the purpose of profit, it will become a bribe, clearly that money has a negative nature.

How did our ancestors teach us about giving gifts, sir?

In the book Vietnamese customs or records of ancient customs, there is a custom of giving gifts. This custom of giving gifts is public and has clear regulations. Each village has its own regulations according to its tradition. It is recorded in the stele, village covenant, that in the village, every time there is a New Year or festival, the village has a certain amount to buy those items, and then after the offerings to the village's tutelary god are made, how will they be divided...

Accordingly, the old man will be given the first share, according to a clear quota. There are also regulations on sharing with the elderly when they reach their old age. It has become a custom to respect the dignitaries in the village, to respect the elderly like the old man so that they can "leave their age" to him... The villagers show such respect. These are very good and positive behaviors.

In cultural studies, there is also a theory about gift-giving. In which there is the story of gift-giving between inferiors and superiors, gift-giving between communities, weaker communities giving to stronger communities. For example, in the past, in diplomatic relations, many small countries still had to pay tribute to China, or Champa paid tribute to Dai Viet. When receiving like that, the larger country received not only a material thing but also affirmed its position in the eyes of the weaker country. After giving gifts, the gift-giving law also has details about "returning the gift", meaning that the stronger community, the larger person must give back. In principle, the gift must be equal or larger. When giving gifts to gods, when returned, the gods will pay with invisible gifts such as peace, blessing for a bountiful harvest or helping people overcome epidemics.

Recently, we can see the use of culture in gifts. We have more gift packages with cultural meaning in design and use. What do you think about this trend?

I think it is a manifestation of consciousness when giving gifts as well as intelligence. It shows that the gift giver is more aware that giving gifts is giving culture, giving cultural gifts shows the culture of the giver.

Thank you!

Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, Vicas National Institute of Culture and Arts:

The advantages of local cultural values

In the past 5 years, it is clear that the cultural content in gifts has increased significantly. This trend shows that businesses are also very sensitive and proactive in integrating cultural elements, especially local culture, to create great value for products. This will create competitiveness not only in the province but also in the country and bring products abroad.

In addition, the current gift design capacity is very good, combined with sharp business thinking, has led to more beautiful industrial packaging design. In particular, in the designs, the local spirit has also emerged in recent years.

Young people are willing to pay for gifts that are related to the stories they know, the stories of their homeland. In the fair that Vicas recently organized, it can be seen that young people are willing to pay higher prices and buy Vietnamese products instead of foreign products. That is the advantage of local cultural values, with products that not only have patterns and colors but also stories, thanks to which the price can jump up but there are still buyers.

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