Drivers using the Noi Bai-Lao Cai Highway got a surprise when they were handed lucky red envelopes full of cash when they stopped at toll booths on Lunar New Year's Eve.
Giving lucky money and good wishes to drivers
Noi Bai-Lao Cai Highway, or Hanoi-Lao Cai, is Vietnam's longest continuous highway at 265km, and links the capital with Lao Cai Province.
A Chinese businessman, named Shang, who was on an eight-hour drive home when he reached the toll booth.
"I was surprised and happy," he said. "The lucky money, and well-wishes of employees at the toll booths, made the trip seem shorter and more meaningful."
Drivers surprised with the lucky money
A local from Phu Tho Province, named Bac, said, he was facing a lonely, all-night delivery run when he got onto the highway as the clock struck midnight. "When the toll-booth employee gave me lucky money and well wishes, I felt much better."
None seemed to mind the cash in the envelopes was only a token amount, and appreciated the gesture.
Employees at a toll booth on Noi Bai-Lao Cai Highway
The giving of decorative red envelopes containing new banknotes is a Lunar New Year tradition, though usually lucky money is only given to children and elders, to wish them good health, prosperity and happiness for the coming year.
