VietNamNet Bridge – It is a long-standing Tet (Lunar New Year) tradition to give out li xi (lucky money) to children and others, wishing them greater prosperity in the coming year.

To this day, Be’s house is closed, with a family lorry blocking the front gate saying: “Do not disturb.”

And then there is the Vietnamese saying Loc bat tan huong (Luck not to be enjoyed alone).

One couple in Ham Thuan Bac District, Binh Thuan Province, had the rare chance to do both, to wish people luck and to share their luck.

Just a few days before the festival, Bui Be and his wife, found that they’d won a Lam Dong Lottery prize of VND10 billion (nearly US$450,000).

The well-meaning couple presented rice and ‘lucky money’ to the poor in their commune, but once the news of their good fortune spread, all roads seemed to lead to their door.

Unable to manage the burgeoning crowd, Be and his wife had to be hospitalized through the Tet festival.

To this day, Be’s house is closed, with a family lorry blocking the front gate saying: “Do not disturb.”

Winning the lottery can be disturbing news.

VNS