With Vietnamese and Chinese New Year fast approaching on January 25, a Dubai restaurant has decided to mark the special occasion by giving back to its team of 44 staff a day’s earnings.

The owner of Vietnamese Foodies, Lily Hoa Nguyen, said the Lunar New Year – or Tet Nguyen Dan, as it is known in Vietnam, is traditionally a time to give back.

Lily Hoa Nguyen said Lunar New Year is a time for family and friends to gather, as well as a time to invite luck and good fortune for the year ahead. It’s also a time when older family members give Hong Pao, or red envelopes, which contain a symbolic amount of money to younger family members.

“Tet Nguyen Dan in Vietnam is a time when people travel all over the country to be reunited with family members. It’s a holiday filled with festivities and revelry.

“As many of our staff will be missing this holiday at home, we wanted to continue the tradition here in Dubai, to thank them for their valuable contribution to Vietnamese Foodies, as well as extend good wishes to them in the New Year,” Lily said.

Not only does Lily plan to give them cash but also has decided to keep the restaurant closed on January 25.

Going a step further, the owner has also organised a party for all the staff at a restaurant.

This is the third year that the restaurant brand with two branches will celebrate the tradition.

Regular and new customers can contribute by simply dining at the JLT branch or their new location in Burj Vista, Downtown Dubai on January 24.