Jensen Huang Makes Surprise Visit to Chinese Market, Gifts 120,000-Won 'Hongbao'

Gave Out "Hongbao," Traditional Chinese New Year Gifts, to Local Vendors

Jensen Huang, the CEO who founded NVIDIA, the world’s largest semiconductor design company, was spotted at a market in China.

On January 28 (local time), Hong Kong media outlet South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that CEO Huang visited a traditional market in Shanghai, China. According to SCMP, on January 24 at 12:00 p.m., CEO Huang parked his car near the Jinde Market in the Lujiazui area of Shanghai.

Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA. Photo captured from SCMP

He bought tanghulu, a traditional Chinese snack made from sugar-coated hawthorn berries, and chestnuts at a small shop at the market entrance. Afterwards, a member of Huang’s party paid 65 yuan (about 13,700 won) on his behalf. CEO Huang also handed his autograph to the shop owner and gave a 'hongbao.'

A hongbao is a red envelope containing a cash gift, symbolizing good fortune in China. It is typically given by elders to children within a family, or by employers to employees for the New Year. It is reported that this hongbao contained 600 yuan (about 123,000 won) in cash.

The owner of the tanghulu shop who received the hongbao initially did not recognize CEO Huang. However, the owner said, “People suddenly gathered around and started taking photos, and that’s when I realized he was Jensen Huang.” The owner added, “CEO Huang bought a lot of items. Afterwards, customers came to the shop to take pictures and purchased the same goods he had bought.”

CEO Huang then moved to another store, where he purchased fruit and cakes, and also handed out Lunar New Year gifts to nearby vendors. A female shop owner who was watching her store at the market at the time said, “I’m truly delighted. I can’t believe I met CEO Huang, the godfather of artificial intelligence, at the market,” adding, “I hope some of his good fortune rubs off on me. He was very kind and warm-hearted.”

Meanwhile, the day after his market visit, on January 25, CEO Huang traveled to Beijing. According to sources such as Tencent, he visited a restaurant that day, had a meal, and interacted with locals.