More Than Just a Hug: How Vietnam Celebrates Mother’s Day in 2025

Mother’s Day is a time-honoured celebration around the globe, but in Vietnam, it takes on an even deeper cultural and emotional resonance. As we approach Mother’s Day 2025 on Sunday, May 11, businesses and workers alike are preparing not just to express gratitude, but to honour the values of family, tradition, and respect that are the foundation of Vietnamese society.

At Reeracoen Vietnam, a leading recruitment agency in Vietnam and across APAC, we believe understanding local traditions like Mother’s Day helps companies better connect with their teams and clients — while also fostering stronger workplace culture.

A Dual Celebration: Western and Vietnamese Traditions

In Vietnam, Mother’s Day is celebrated in two ways:

• Second Sunday of May (May 11, 2025) – Following global custom, this day is marked with gifts, tributes, and family time.

• Vu Lan Festival (Buddhist Mother’s Day) – Celebrated on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month (August 9, 2025), this spiritually significant day honours both living and deceased mothers through temple visits and offerings.

This dual observance makes Vietnam unique, blending modern gift-giving culture with deep-rooted Buddhist values like filial piety and gratitude.

Stats Show: Mother’s Day is a Powerful Economic and Emotional Driver

Although exact local data is scarce, Vietnam has seen a steady rise in consumer spending during May, particularly on:

• Flowers (especially roses)

• Spa & wellness experiences

• Personalized gifts

• Jewellery

• Family dining packages

In the U.S., Mother’s Day spending hit $33.5 billion in 2024, with individuals spending an average of $254. Vietnam’s rising middle class and digitally connected younger generations are expected to mirror this upward trend in 2025.

In 2024, e-commerce platforms in Vietnam reported up to 40% sales growth in gift-related categories during the week leading up to Mother’s Day. This presents a huge opportunity for businesses to run targeted marketing and product campaigns tailored for this emotionally driven holiday.

How Vietnamese Families Celebrate in 2025

Whether honouring their mothers in person or from afar, Vietnamese people express love and gratitude in meaningful ways:

• Wearing Roses: A unique Vu Lan tradition — red or pink if your mother is alive, white if she has passed — is a symbolic way to show respect and remembrance.

• Pagoda Visits: Many will head to temples to make merit and offer incense for their mothers and ancestors.

• Family Dinners: Restaurants and homes alike will host intimate gatherings.

• Social Media Tributes: Expect your feeds to be full of heartfelt messages, throwback photos, and poems — particularly among Gen Z and millennials.

For Vietnamese workers, this is a chance to reflect on their roots, while for clients and employers, it’s a timely moment to celebrate and recognise the people who keep families (and businesses) thriving.

What This Means for Vietnamese Businesses

For employers in Vietnam, Mother’s Day is more than just a retail opportunity — it's a chance to:

• Boost employee morale by recognizing working mothers

• Run internal appreciation campaigns (e.g., Mother’s Day cards from colleagues, gift boxes for working moms)

• Create family-friendly workspaces, especially for female talent balancing work and caregiving

• Launch seasonal promotions for products or services tied to family, wellness, or gratitude

In a competitive hiring landscape, these small gestures go a long way in building loyalty and employer branding.

Final Thoughts: Mother’s Day is About More Than Gifts

At its core, Mother’s Day is about connection, culture, and care — values that also define successful workplaces and business relationships. In Vietnam, where tradition and modernity go hand in hand, this celebration reflects the richness of a society that honours its past while embracing the future.

At Reeracoen Vietnam, we believe that understanding local holidays like Mother’s Day isn’t just nice to do — it’s essential. Whether you’re a company looking to engage your team, or a worker reflecting on your own journey, May 11 is a chance to say the most important two words: Cảm ơn mẹ (Thank you, Mom).

From all of us at Reeracoen Vietnam: Happy Mother’s Day 2025!

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References:

• Mother's Day in Vietnam: Guide to Tradition and Celebration

• Mother's Day 2024: Near-Record Spending of $33.5 Billion Expected

• Mother's Day Traditions From Around the World

• Mua Vu Lan - Mother's Day in Vietnam

• Mother's Day in Vietnam 2024

• Mother's Festival in Vietnam - ICS Travel