Personal Finance Money transfer

How to Send an e-Hongbao

Yadana Chaw

21.01.26

Read time 2 minutes

Sending good wishes and prosperity has never been easier. The tradition of gifting red packets, or hongbao, during festive occasions like Chinese New Year is deeply cherished—a symbol of energy, happiness, and good luck that has been passed down for generations.

While the core of this tradition involves the physical exchange of crisp new banknotes in red envelopes, the way these blessings are shared is evolving. As families become more interconnected across borders, the e-hongbao (or digital ang bao) has emerged as a thoughtful and convenient alternative to ensure no loved one is left out of the celebrations, no matter where they are in the world. We'll also introduce the Wise account, a handy companion to make your money go further with low, transparent fees.

Table of Contents
What is an e-Hongbao? Benefits of e-Hongbaos How to Send an e-Hongbao Send money to a loved one abroad with Wise

What is an e-Hongbao?

An e-hongbao, also known as a digital ang bao or digital red packet, is the electronic version of the traditional cash gift given in a red envelope. It is a modern way to share monetary blessings, good fortune, and festive cheer with loved ones. Think of it as sending money with a touch of tradition, delivered instantly through your smartphone or computer.

Benefits of e-Hongbaos

While physical packets hold a special place in our hearts, choosing a digital ang bao offers several advantages for today's global lifestyle:

Save time by skipping bank queues and the search for new notes. Sending an e-hongbao is instant and convenient, whether you're gifting at the last minute or during your reunion dinner.
e-Hongbaos are encrypted and tracked, ensuring your gift reaches the right hands instantly. This removes the risk of losing cash or misplacing envelopes during the holiday rush.
Digital gifting serves as a vital link to loved ones near and far, allowing you to bridge the physical distance and send blessings across borders while keeping the festive spirit alive.
While physical exchange is a beautiful heritage, a digital ang bao is a mindful, paperless alternative, reducing the environmental impact of seasonal banknotes and envelopes.

How to Send an e-Hongbao

Most major retail banks and e-wallets now offer dedicated features for those looking to send a digital ang bao during the festive season. Whether you are in Singapore, Malaysia, or celebrating elsewhere across the globe, many local banks and digital wallets now offer these festive features directly within their mobile apps. For example, in Singapore, major banks like DBS, OCBC, and UOB allow you to send digital packets seamlessly via PayNow. In Malaysia, you can use Maybank or popular e-wallets like Touch 'n Go to send gifts via DuitNow.

While the interface may differ slightly across platforms, the process of how to send an e-ang bao generally looks like this:

Open your app: Look for a "Chinese New Year," "e-Hongbao," or "Gift" tab.
Select your recipient: Choose your recipient or enter a mobile number linked to a local payment network.
Key in your amount: Enter the amount you wish to gift.
Personalise it: Write a custom message for your recipient or choose a festive design.
Send: The recipient will receive an instant notification and their gift.

While these local methods are convenient for domestic gifting, sending money abroad can be different. Standard banking apps often come with high fees and marked-up exchange rates for international transfers, so it is always wise to compare your options to ensure more of your blessing reaches your loved ones.

Send money to a loved one abroad with Wise

Wise international money transfers can be set up online or within the Wise app with low fees from 0.26% and the mid-market rate, to over 140+ countries. There’s no markup added to the exchange rate that’s used to convert your currency, which makes it easier to see exactly what you're paying for a transfer, and what the recipient will get in the end. Just transfer the amount indicated in SGD and let Wise do the rest.

Track your transfers easily when you create a free Wise account, and manage, hold, and convert your money in SGD and 40+ other currencies. You'll get the same great rates, and be able to track your transfers all from one place. As a bonus, you can also get 8+ local account details to be able to receive money in SGD, USD, GBP, and more.

🚀 Get Started with Wise

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