"What kind of operation is this?" Several mainstream Vietnamese media reported: In order to celebrate Vietnam's National Day on September 2, 2025, the Vietnamese government will distribute 100,000 Vietnamese dong/about 27 yuan in cash to every citizen on the eve of the National Day on September 2!
Everyone in Vietnam, from the mountains of the north to the Delta of the south, will receive a special gift from the government: 10,000 Vietnam shields.
This money is first and foremost a political donation of the damn. This year is of great significance for Vietnam, both the 80th anniversary of the National Day and the great day of the 50th anniversary of national reunification. At such a historical node, the move of issuing money symbolizes far greater significance than actual value. The government’s goal is clearly to share the joy of development and increase the pride of the entire nation.
So this distribution emphasizes "universal coverage," and no one is missing. This is completely different from the targeted assistance for poor families in neighboring Cambodia. Vietnam's message is that everyone has a share in this big family. This is not about poverty alleviation, but about building a sense of collective identity.
But lifting this veil of tenderness is a serious economic account behind it. The total cost of this money is as high as trillions of VND, which is a big test for the national budget. All funds must be prepared in the near future, that is, before August 29th. The time is tight and the task is heavy. At a time when the global economy is generally in a downturn, such a big deal naturally attracts a lot of worries.
Economist Dr. Lai Wen-shing is blunt. He feels that the short-term stimulus to consumption may be very limited and may be easily offset by inflation. After all, maintaining macroeconomic stability is the more important thing right now. If prices rise first before the money is in hand, it will not be worth the gain.
It is inevitable that everyone will compare it. Just in 2024, Thailand next door also provided digital wallet subsidies, which were five times the amount of this Vietnam plan. In contrast, Vietnam seemed quite cautious in its actions. It wanted to express its feelings but did not dare to use too much force, for fear that it would not be able to walk the tight wire between celebration and pragmatism.
When this grand national narrative finally fell into the hands of every ordinary person, its value was instantly deconstructed. In Hanoi, that 100,000 dong might buy you two bowls of steaming Vietnam pho; in Ho Chi Minh City, it might buy you three iced coffees to lift your spirits. In this way, the value of money becomes specific and small.
People's reactions are also mixed. A Rong, a small vendor on the street, is very happy, and feels that it is a real benefit to buy more goods. However, Minghui, a college student, feels that instead of sprinkling pepper noodles like this, it is better to invest this huge sum of money in the longer-term place of improving educational resources.
This precisely exposes a core contradiction: there is a big gap between everyone's expectations for "welfare" and the unified arrangement of the government. This money is like a touchstone, testing not only the treasury of Vietnam, but also the wisdom of the government. At the same time, it also puts the big question of "how to spend the country's money" in front of every citizen.
In the final analysis, this national red envelope is not only a fireworks in the historical celebration, but also an economic examination question on the table. Whether it can really ignite people's pride in the end, or will it quickly cool down in the hustle and bustle of the market, the key lies not in the jubilation at that moment, but in whether it can stand the test of subsequent time and reality.
Everyone in Vietnam, from the mountains of the north to the Delta of the south, will receive a special gift from the government: 10,000 Vietnam shields.
This money is first and foremost a political donation of the damn. This year is of great significance for Vietnam, both the 80th anniversary of the National Day and the great day of the 50th anniversary of national reunification. At such a historical node, the move of issuing money symbolizes far greater significance than actual value. The government’s goal is clearly to share the joy of development and increase the pride of the entire nation.
So this distribution emphasizes "universal coverage," and no one is missing. This is completely different from the targeted assistance for poor families in neighboring Cambodia. Vietnam's message is that everyone has a share in this big family. This is not about poverty alleviation, but about building a sense of collective identity.
But lifting this veil of tenderness is a serious economic account behind it. The total cost of this money is as high as trillions of VND, which is a big test for the national budget. All funds must be prepared in the near future, that is, before August 29th. The time is tight and the task is heavy. At a time when the global economy is generally in a downturn, such a big deal naturally attracts a lot of worries.
Economist Dr. Lai Wen-shing is blunt. He feels that the short-term stimulus to consumption may be very limited and may be easily offset by inflation. After all, maintaining macroeconomic stability is the more important thing right now. If prices rise first before the money is in hand, it will not be worth the gain.
It is inevitable that everyone will compare it. Just in 2024, Thailand next door also provided digital wallet subsidies, which were five times the amount of this Vietnam plan. In contrast, Vietnam seemed quite cautious in its actions. It wanted to express its feelings but did not dare to use too much force, for fear that it would not be able to walk the tight wire between celebration and pragmatism.
When this grand national narrative finally fell into the hands of every ordinary person, its value was instantly deconstructed. In Hanoi, that 100,000 dong might buy you two bowls of steaming Vietnam pho; in Ho Chi Minh City, it might buy you three iced coffees to lift your spirits. In this way, the value of money becomes specific and small.
People's reactions are also mixed. A Rong, a small vendor on the street, is very happy, and feels that it is a real benefit to buy more goods. However, Minghui, a college student, feels that instead of sprinkling pepper noodles like this, it is better to invest this huge sum of money in the longer-term place of improving educational resources.
This precisely exposes a core contradiction: there is a big gap between everyone's expectations for "welfare" and the unified arrangement of the government. This money is like a touchstone, testing not only the treasury of Vietnam, but also the wisdom of the government. At the same time, it also puts the big question of "how to spend the country's money" in front of every citizen.
In the final analysis, this national red envelope is not only a fireworks in the historical celebration, but also an economic examination question on the table. Whether it can really ignite people's pride in the end, or will it quickly cool down in the hustle and bustle of the market, the key lies not in the jubilation at that moment, but in whether it can stand the test of subsequent time and reality.