This year, the festivities will take place on Wednesday 29 January and will mark the year of the wood snake. Our editors have selected some of the different rituals and celebrations for Lunar New Year around the world.
Held according to the lunar or lunisolar calendar each year, Lunar New Year is one of the largest celebrations across Asia and other global destinations. The festival typically takes place during the second new moon of the lunar calendar and with that, the assignment of a different zodiac animal in the Chinese calendar.
Hong Kong, China
Lunar New Year represents a time for families and friends to come together and in Hong Kong this is marked by large dinners, gatherings and festive parades filling the streets. During the three-day public holiday, loved ones often come together to put up decorations, pray for luck and prosperity, watch the national parades (such as the Tsim Sha Tsui night parade) and enjoy traditional dishes such as poon choi, a Cantonese casserole that symbolises good fortune.
VIEW OF FIREWORKS FROM VICTORIA HARBOUR, HONG KONG, FOR LUNAR NEW YEAR
Seoul, South Korea
South Korea’s capital of Seoul is a lovely place to experience Lunar New Year, which is also known in the region as Seollal or Korean New Year. While many larger restaurants and bars are closed during this period, there are plenty of smaller family-run businesses that remain open throughout the holiday.
We recommend visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace for a spectacular show of traditional performances, games, workshops and festive displays. Sample some traditional tteok Guk (rice cake soup) or adorn yourself in traditional hanbok garments to fully embrace the festive spirit. The palace grounds are perfect for a scenic stroll, and at this time of year are usually covered in a fresh blanket of snow.
GYEONGBOKGUNG PALACE IN SEOUL, KOREA
Hanoi, Vietnam
For a slew of celebratory events for the Lunar New Year (or Tết), we recommend heading to Hanoi, Vietnam. The city comes alive at this time of year with bustling parades, business adorned in red and gold, and florists at Quang Ba Flower Market offer bountiful peach blossoms and kumquat trees. Locals often flock to Hoàn Kiếm Lake to release lanterns and make offerings, while the city’s fine dining restaurants serve delicious dishes that fuse Vietnamese heritage with contemporary gastronomy.
Wherever you decide to celebrate the New Year, explore our offering of hotels on ASMALLWORLD Collection to receive VIP benefits such as a room upgrade, hotel credit and more at no extra cost.
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