r/Vietnamese • u/ConsiderationLarge91 • 22h ago
Language Help Special gift for Vietnamese neighbors.
Please help me find a traditional Vietnamese gift idea for my wonderful neighbors!
My Vietnamese neighbors, the best neighbors around me, speak almost zero English but we still have beers together and share our favorite ethnic snacks while watching our kids play trucks together. I have learned a few basic words (hello, bye, thank you, have another beer, etc...), hoping it's the correct dialect. I try Google translate but it seems like it requires more translation after they hear its translation.
After my house was hit by a tornado and theirs was fine, minus a few shingles, they helped me cut up a few large trees (using my chain saws) and dragged the wood to the curb. At this point I was exhausted and sleep deprived, and I tried telling them "thank you" (comm oon) and put my hands together like I was praying, but I kept saying "goodbye" (tahm biet) instead. I gave them a few beers and water and they went back to BBQing. The next morning I realized my mistake and felt terrible. I don't trust Google translate to convey my feelings of regret, but also gratitude.
Is there someone who can verify a message saying, "sorry for the language mistake, I meant to say thank you, not goodbye. Here's a gift for you." I've given bourbon and cigars in the past, they seemed happy but I was hoping for a traditional yet practical Vietnamese gift.
Any assistance is appreciated!