Vietnamese Gifts for Expats: One Man's Journey

Vietnamese gifts can fundamentally transform expat relationships by creating cultural bridges, demonstrating respect, and opening profound dialogues about tradition. 

Alex Nguyen, an American-born Vietnamese creative director, experienced this transformation during his journey of rediscovering roots and building a career in Ho Chi Minh City—a journey that taught him to love through the language of thoughtful giving.

Finding Identity Through the Language of Gifts

In the quiet corner of a café on Nguyen Thien Thuat Street in District 3, Alex Nguyen sits with a glass of iced milk coffee—a beverage he learned to cherish from his early days returning to Vietnam. Though born and raised in California, Alex carries Vietnamese blood from a family that migrated in the 1980s.

Iced milk coffee on Nguyen Thien Thuat Street - where the journey began

"I came to Saigon in 2020 with the mindset of an ABC—American Born Chinese, or in this case, ABV—American Born Vietnamese," Alex shares with a gentle smile. "Though I spoke basic Vietnamese thanks to family, I still felt like a foreigner when facing the deep cultural nuances my parents hadn't yet transmitted."

As a creative director at a local advertising agency, Alex quickly realized that understanding culture wasn't just important for work—it was essential for himself, a journey of reconnecting with his origins.

This realization would challenge everything he thought he knew about human connection and professional success.

The First Cultural Collisions in the Workplace

"The work culture here was completely different from what I was accustomed to in America," Alex observes. "I brought a straight-forward and competitive style from San Francisco, but quickly realized it didn't align with the collaborative and respectful environment in Vietnam."

During his first months, Alex struggled to build rapport with his team. "People were polite but maintained distance. They called me 'anh Alex' with respect, but I felt a lack of closeness, missing the chemistry essential for creative work."

The turning point came when a colleague—Ms. Thao, a senior account director—shared with Alex the importance of "gift-giving to build relationships" in Vietnamese culture. This conversation would become the catalyst for his transformation.

In our hyperconnected yet increasingly impersonal world, Alex was about to discover an ancient wisdom about human connection that transcends language and cultural barriers.

First Lesson: Understanding Gifts as Communication Language

"Ms. Thao explained that in Vietnamese culture, gift-giving isn't about material value but about message and emotion," Alex recalls. "It's a way to show care, respect, and desire to build lasting relationships."

Traditional oolong tea set - the first gift that opened hearts and minds

The first opportunity arose when a copywriter on the team had a birthday. Instead of giving gift cards or treating the team to meals as was customary in America, Alex decided to try a different approach.

"I went to Ben Thanh Market with Ms. Thao to learn about traditional gifts. Eventually, I chose a premium oolong tea set with a beautiful ceramic teapot. Ms. Thao explained that tea symbolizes purity and the desire for deep conversations."

This simple act would reveal the profound power of cultural understanding in an age where authentic connection seems increasingly rare.

Discovering the Power of Storytelling Through Gifts

The team's reaction completely changed Alex's perspective on workplace relationships. "Not just the recipient, but the entire team was moved. They shared that this was the first time a leader had shown care in such a 'Vietnamese' way. From then on, the work atmosphere became more intimate and creative."

Alex began studying Vietnamese gift-giving art more deeply, from choosing colors (red for luck, gold for prosperity) to understanding the meaning of each type of gift (ceramics for durability, tea for prosperity, candy for sweetness).

"I realized that each gift is a story. And as a creative, storytelling through gifts became an important skill not only in personal life but also in work."

This discovery challenges our modern assumptions about communication and relationship-building in professional environments.

Applying Cultural Intelligence to Client Relationships

Understanding the power of gift culture, Alex began applying it to building client relationships. "Instead of typical presentation kits or branded merchandise, we started creating 'culture gifts'—gifts carrying deep cultural meaning."

Custom Dong Ho painting - cultural understanding as competitive advantage

"The first time presenting to a major F&B client, instead of a typical portfolio, I gave the CEO a customized Dong Ho painting featuring the brand's story. It was our way of showing we didn't just understand their business but respected the culture and heritage they represented."

The results exceeded expectations. "The CEO spent nearly an hour appreciating the gift and sharing the company's vision. The meeting transformed from a formal business presentation into a deep conversation about values and aspirations. We won the project convincingly."

This approach reveals how cultural sensitivity can become a competitive advantage in global business environments.

First Tet: The Enlightening Moment

Alex's first Vietnamese New Year brought a profound experience about the meaning of gift-giving in Vietnamese culture. "A colleague invited me to their hometown in Dong Thap to experience authentic Tet. I prepared very carefully for this trip."

Tet celebration in Dong Thap - the moment Alex truly felt belonging (Stock photo)

"I bought banh chung from a traditional cake-making family, along with red envelopes for the children. But most special was commissioning an artisan to create a small lacquer painting depicting the Mekong Delta countryside, based on stories my colleague shared about their homeland."

"The family's reaction deeply moved me. They didn't just appreciate the gift but were touched that a 'child from distant lands' understood and honored hometown culture so deeply. That's when I truly felt I belonged here."

Such moments remind us that in our increasingly globalized world, the deepest connections still happen through understanding and respecting local traditions.

Lessons Learned: Gift-Giving as a Philosophy of Life

Through this journey, Alex learned profound lessons about human relationships and culture. "Gift-giving taught me about patience, observation, and empathy. To choose the right gift, you must truly listen and understand others."

"In our digital and fast-paced world, Vietnamese gift-giving brings a different perspective on slow living and mindful relationships. It taught me that small gestures, done with intention and understanding, can create greater impact than grand gestures lacking soul."

Alex also realized this changed his approach to creative work. "I began approaching each project like giving a gift. How can our message not just reach the audience but resonate with them on emotional and cultural levels?"

This philosophy challenges the efficiency-obsessed mentality prevalent in modern business practices.

Impact on Leadership Style

"Understanding gift culture transformed my leadership style," Alex shares. "Instead of focusing only on KPIs and deliverables, I began investing time to understand each team member as an individual with unique backgrounds, aspirations, and challenges."

Gift culture transforming leadership - from KPIs to human connection (Stock photo)

"I often give small gifts to celebrate personal milestones—not just work achievements but personal victories. Maybe a book for someone who loves reading, a plant for someone who likes decoration, or a workshop voucher for someone wanting to learn new skills."

This created a unique work culture at the agency. "Team members began caring for each other in similar ways. They remember birthdays, celebrate personal achievements, and support each other through challenges. Team productivity and creativity increased significantly."

Such approaches offer valuable insights for creating more humane workplaces in an era of increasing automation and digital communication.

Mistakes and Valuable Lessons

Alex honestly shares about times he "failed" at gift-giving. "Once I gave a female client a bouquet of red roses for a successful campaign launch. I thought it was a professional and elegant gesture."

"But later I was educated that red roses have romantic connotations, and men giving them to women in business contexts can create misunderstandings. That was an important lesson about cultural nuances and appropriateness."

"Since then, I always consult with the Vietnamese team before choosing gifts for external stakeholders. They help me navigate cultural subtleties that someone with mixed background like me might miss."

These experiences highlight the importance of cultural humility and continuous learning in our interconnected world.

Connecting With Heritage Through Gifts

A special aspect of Alex's journey was reconnecting with Vietnamese heritage through gift-giving culture. "Growing up in America, I had exposure to Vietnamese culture mainly through food and language. But gift-giving culture opened up a new dimension about Vietnamese values and worldview."

Reconnecting with heritage through meaningful traditional gifts (Stock photo)

"I began understanding why my parents always emphasized 'respect elders,' 'maintain harmony,' and 'build lasting relationships.' These values are clearly manifested in how Vietnamese approach gift-giving."

"Practicing this culture helped me connect with my identity in ways that only living and working in Vietnam could provide. I feel more complete as a person and more authentic as a creative professional."

This journey reflects the broader experience of heritage seekers in our globalized age, searching for authentic connection to their roots.

Modern Applications and Future Perspective

Alex also explores adapting traditional gift-giving culture to modern contexts. "In the digital age, we can maintain the essence of this culture through thoughtful digital gifts, personalized experiences, or sustainable products that carry cultural meaning."

"For example, instead of physical gifts, sometimes I gift team members experiences like traditional craft workshops or tickets to cultural events. The principle remains showing care and appreciation, but the format adapts to modern lifestyle."

Looking forward, Alex sees great potential for integrating Vietnamese gift-giving philosophy into global business practices. "In a world increasingly connected but also increasingly impersonal, the Vietnamese approach to relationship-building through mindful gifting can offer valuable lessons."

Wisdom Gained and Advice for Fellow Expats

"If you're a new expat to Vietnam, or like me—a heritage Vietnamese trying to reconnect, approach gift-giving culture with an open mind and humble heart," Alex advises.

Alex's sincere advice - start small but with genuine intention (Stock photo)

"Start small and observe. Notice how people interact, celebrate, and show appreciation. Ask questions and be willing to make mistakes. Most importantly, remember this isn't about expensive gifts but about sincere intention and cultural respect."

"Learning Vietnamese gift-giving culture didn't just improve my professional relationships but enriched personal life. It taught me about patience, mindfulness, and the art of human connection in ways no textbook or workshop could."

Read more: 

>> Vietnamese Gifts for International Colleagues: Expert Guide

>>  Vietnamese Handicrafts – Why Do Foreigners Love Them So Much?

Reflections: Beyond Material Into Meaningful

As our conversation nears its end, Alex reflects on this transformative journey. "Vietnamese gift-giving culture taught me that in our fast-paced, efficiency-driven world, there's still space for thoughtfulness, tradition, and genuine human connection."

"It reminds me that business success isn't just about numbers and metrics, but about relationships and trust. And those relationships are built not through grand gestures but through consistent, thoughtful actions over time."

"Ultimately, practicing Vietnamese gift culture helped me become not just a better professional but a better human being. It taught me about gratitude, about seeing and appreciating others, and about finding joy in simple acts of kindness."

In our age of digital disruption and cultural homogenization, Alex's story offers a compelling reminder that some of humanity's most profound wisdom lies not in the latest technology, but in ancient practices of mindful connection and mutual respect.