Where to Celebrate Chinese New Year in Asia: The Most Fascinating Destinations in 2026
For many of us in Asia, the festive season continues well into the start of the year. One of the most important cultural moments across the region is the Lunar New Year, also widely known as Chinese New Year. For travellers seeking inspiration on where to celebrate Chinese New Year, Asia presents a remarkable diversity of traditions, rituals, and festive experiences.
Originating in China, Lunar New Year is now celebrated across much of Asia, including Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. It is traditionally a time to honour ancestors, welcome good fortune, and reunite with family and loved ones, while also enjoying public festivities, parades, and seasonal food. Based on the lunar calendar, the dates change every year, with celebrations beginning on the first new moon and lasting until the full moon fifteen days later.
While many destinations across Asia celebrate Lunar New Year, no two countries mark the occasion in exactly the same way. Some focus on intimate family rituals, while others embrace large-scale street celebrations filled with colour, music, and fireworks. In this guide, we explore some of the most fascinating destinations in Asia to help you decide where and how to celebrate this important cultural festival.
If you are planning to travel during this period, it is wise to arrive a few days before or stay a few days after the main holiday, as some businesses and restaurants may close temporarily. Planning your journey with the Secret Retreats Concierge ensures insider knowledge, smooth logistics, and a travel experience tailored to your interests.
Tết Nguyên Đán
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tết Nguyên Đán, commonly known as Tết, is Vietnam’s Lunar New Year celebration and one of the most vibrant times to visit the country. For travellers wishing to celebrate Lunar New Year in Southeast Asia, Ho Chi Minh City offers a dynamic mix of tradition and modern energy.
Known as the city that never sleeps, Ho Chi Minh City becomes especially lively during Tết. On New Year’s Eve, visitors can enjoy countdown celebrations at bars or head into the streets to watch fireworks light up the skyline. The Nguyen Hue Flower Street Festival and Tao Dan Flower Festival are highlights, featuring elaborate floral displays in red and yellow, colours associated with prosperity and good fortune.
Folk music, traditional games, and festive dishes fill the city with a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Although some shops and restaurants close during the first days of Tết, the scale and spirit of the celebrations ensure there is always something to experience. Tết in Ho Chi Minh City offers a rich introduction to Vietnamese culture and Lunar New Year traditions.
Seollal: Lunar New Year
Seoul, South Korea
In South Korea, Lunar New Year, known as Seollal, is centred on family, ancestry, and tradition. Rather than large public festivals, Seollal is a time when families return to their hometowns to honour their ancestors through ceremonial rituals.
Families dress in traditional hanbok and perform respectful bows before ancestral altars prepared with symbolic foods. Afterwards, they share tteokguk, a rice cake soup believed to bring good fortune and mark the passing into a new year of life.
During this time, Seoul becomes noticeably quieter as many residents travel home. While some shops and restaurants close for a day or two, visitors can enjoy historic sites such as Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, and Jongmyo Shrine in a calm and uncrowded setting. For travellers who prefer a reflective and heritage-focused way to celebrate Lunar New Year, Seoul offers a uniquely authentic experience.
Chinese New Year
Singapore, Singapore
Singapore is one of the most festive urban destinations to celebrate Chinese New Year, combining tradition with large-scale public events. The heart of the celebrations is Chinatown, where streets are decorated with illuminated lanterns, festive markets, and cultural performances.
The annual Chinatown Chinese New Year Festival transforms the district into a lively cultural hub. Beyond Chinatown, visitors can attend the Singapore River Hong Bao Carnival at Marina Bay and the famous Chingay Parade near the Formula One Grandstand.
The River Hong Bao Carnival showcases traditional Chinese culture through stage performances, calligraphy demonstrations, and impressive lantern displays. Chingay, a multi-night street parade, brings together performers from Singapore and around the world, blending heritage with contemporary spectacle.
Chinese New Year
Penang, Malaysia
Penang is known for hosting Malaysia’s most spirited Lunar New Year celebrations, combining strong family traditions with vibrant public festivities. As New Year’s Eve arrives, families gather in ancestral homes for reunion dinners, games, and celebrations.
Public events take place around George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage City, where street parties and open houses highlight historic clan houses and temples. The Penang Chinese Clan Council plays a central role in organising events that showcase the island’s cultural heritage.
A key highlight is the illumination of Kek Lok Si Temple, where thousands of lanterns and lights cover the grounds in a spectacular display. On the sixth day of the festival, the Snake Temple hosts traditional ceremonies and Chinese opera performances, adding depth and variety to Penang’s Lunar New Year experience.
Chinese New Year
Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok’s Chinatown, Yaowarat, is home to Thailand’s largest and most energetic Chinese New Year celebration. For those seeking a lively destination to celebrate Chinese New Year, Bangkok delivers an unforgettable sensory experience.
Celebrations peak on New Year’s Day as families visit temples to pray for prosperity and honour their ancestors. From midday onward, the streets fill with lion dances, dragon parades, musicians, firecrackers, and food stalls. Red lanterns line the streets, and the Chinatown Gate becomes the focal point for cultural performances.
The festivities highlight the long-standing influence of Chinese culture in Thailand. As night falls, illuminated dragons, acrobatic displays, and live music transform Yaowarat into one of Asia’s most visually striking Lunar New Year celebrations.
Plan Your Lunar New Year Journey in Asia
From intimate family rituals to vibrant street festivals, Asia offers many unforgettable ways to celebrate Lunar New Year. Choosing the right destination depends on whether you seek cultural immersion, festive energy, or a quieter heritage experience.
The Secret Retreats Concierge is ready to assist with planning a seamless and enriching Lunar New Year journey across Asia. Contact our team at dream@secret-retreats.com to begin crafting your next adventure.
Last but not least, we wish you and your loved ones a very happy, healthy, and prosperous Lunar New Year.
