On the New Year festival, the elderly normally congratulate children on becoming a year older by presenting them with very nice, small red paper envelopes which symbolize luck and good fortune.

According to the custom, the money given on the advancement in age is in brand new bills and of low face value, but bears wishes for growth and successful study.

Over time, Hang Ma Street in Hanoi’s ancient quarter has remained a place to sell “banks” for children to store money, mainly in the shapes of pigs, rats and buffalo made of clay or metal. However, the most popular animal sold is always the one symbolizing the lunar calendar for that year.

An, a seller for long time in Hang Ma Street, said she stored hundreds of clay dragons because the year 2012 is the Year of the Dragon, so the demand for clay dragons will surely increase.

According to the seller, parents will teach children how to save and spend their present money in meaningful ways, such as the purchase of books, school aids or to help friends in difficulties.

Nowadays, people’s living conditions have been improving. The money giving custom is sometimes commercialized, but it basically holds the humanitarian significance of bringing joy and luck for all people.