I started exploring birthday traditions from around the world a couple weeks ago, and now I can’t stop looking for more — they’re incredibly fascinating. It really is amazing how something we consider so universal can take on so many different meanings in different parts of the world. Here’s a birthday tradition from Vietnam, from kidsparties.com:

Everyones birthday is celebrated on new years day. Not only is Tet the beginning of a New Year, it is also everyone’s birthday. The Vietnamese do not know or acknowledge the exact day they were born. A baby turns one on Tet no matter when he/she was born that year. Children say they were born in the year of the symbol of the lunar calendar for that year. On the first morning of Tet, adults congratulate children on becoming a year older by presenting them with red envelopes that contain “Lucky Money,” or li xi. These envelopes are given to the children by parents, siblings, relatives and close friends.

Wow, talk about one big birthday party!