Lunar New Year at Magnolia: Fortune, Feasting & Lucky Money

The Lunar New Year isn’t just another date on the calendar - it’s THE celebration of the year in Singapore and Vietnam. It’s a time for family reunions, dazzling decorations, and, most importantly, the delightful tradition of lì xì (Vietnam). Because let’s be honest, nothing says “prosperity” like a crisp red envelope filled with cash!

From lohei (prosperity toss) and bak kwa in our Singapore office to Tết feasts in our Vietnam branch, we embrace the joy and traditions of the season.

Tết, or Tết Nguyên Đán (the Vietnamese Lunar New Year) marks the arrival of spring and is a time for family reunions, paying respect to ancestors, and celebrating new beginnings. The festival usually lasts several days, with preparations starting well in advance, including cleaning homes, cooking special foods, and decorating with peach blossoms, apricots, kumquat trees, and red banners symbolizing good fortune.

An important tradition during Tết is giving lì xì, or lucky money, in small red envelopes. Elders, parents, and married adults provide these envelopes to children and younger family members. The money symbolizes wishes for prosperity, health, and success in the new year. The red color of the envelopes represents luck and warding off bad spirits.

As Tết approaches, our office comes alive with the festive energy of Vietnam’s most cherished holiday. We embrace the spirit of renewal, prosperity, and togetherness by blending traditional customs with our unique workplace culture.

To create a warm and festive atmosphere, our office is adorned with red decorations, symbolizing luck and prosperity. We celebrate Tết together with fun activities such as team lunches featuring traditional dishes.

A highlight of our Tết celebration is the giving of lì xì (lucky money). The Shared Services Team will prepare the red envelopes, which will be offered to employees, symbolizing good fortune and gratitude. Along with lì xì, we exchange warm wishes for success, happiness, and growth in the new year.

This year, our Singapore office kicked off the Lunar New Year celebrations with a traditional lohei (prosperity toss) during our team lunch, followed by an exciting team-building activity at a local Adventure Park.

No Lunar New Year celebration is complete without festive treats! We indulge in traditional favorites like pineapple tarts, bak kwa, and mandarin oranges, while the lively lohei session adds a fun and meaningful touch to our gathering.

What we enjoy most is the sense of togetherness and joy, whether it’s tossing lohei with colleagues, sharing laughter over good food, or exchanging heartfelt well wishes for a prosperous year ahead.

Thank you for joining us in our celebrations and stay tuned for more!