Personal Finance Money transfer

How to Send an e-Hongbao

Yadana Chaw
Yadana Chaw
21.01.26
Read time 3 minutes

Open to residents with a registered address in the following countries: United States of America, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia or New Zealand.

🧧 Stand a chance to win

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 let you in on how you can send your blessings internationally with Wise e-hongbao, and get a chance to win a fee credit of up to £88.88!

Table of contents

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 e-hongbao to a loved one abroad with Wise for a chance to win a fee credit up to £88.88

Celebrate this Lunar New Year by sending e‑hongbaos to friends and family in China, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Hong Kong. With Wise, sending a digital blessing is simple - all you need is an email address, a mobile number, or an Alipay/WeChat ID.

When you send e‑hongbaos overseas with Wise, you get the mid‑market exchange rate and transparent fees shown upfront. You can send money to 160+ countries, so you always know exactly what you’re paying without hidden markups.

And if you are sending to an Alipay user, your recipient gets an extra touch of luck. When you send an e-hongbao via this route, your recipient will receive additional red packets directly into their Alipay account.

You can learn more here.

🧧 Send e-hongbao with Wise

Open to residents with a local residential address in the following countries: United States of America, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia or New Zealand.

Wise reserves the right to change any terms of the contest without prior notice and to substitute the prize with one of similar value in the form of vouchers or other reward payout. Learn more at https://payout-surge.live/campaign/chinesenewyear2026%3C/a%3E.%3C/em%3E%3C/p%3E

*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.

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