The British magazine placed Hoi An second on its list of six top Asian destinations for Lunar New Year experiences, just after Singapore. The list, published on 9/2, also featured Guangzhou (Trung Quoc) and Gyeongbokgung Palace (Han Quoc), alongside other regional destinations.

Lunar New Year in Hoi An, Vietnam

Lunar New Year in Hoi An offers a serene atmosphere within its UNESCO-recognized ancient town, a world heritage site. Unlike large-scale parades, Hoi An's New Year celebrations consist of traditional rituals and community activities, woven into the daily life of its residents.

On New Year's Eve, the riverside area along the Hoai River glows with lanterns and floating flower lights, complemented by low-altitude fireworks, lion and dragon dances, Bai Choi folk singing, and the early-year Sac Bua talisman procession. Visitors can also participate in the carpentry ancestor worship ceremony at Kim Bong village or the Cau Bong festival in Tra Que vegetable village to immerse themselves in the New Year spirit linked to local craft village life.

Lunar New Year festival in Chinatown, Singapore

The Lunar New Year festival in Singapore's Chinatown spans nearly a month, highlighted by an annual street lighting program. In 2026, the event, themed "Galloping into the Prosperous Year", features 60 galloping horse models, 48 lucky fruit symbols, and an 8,8-meter-tall golden horse statue positioned in the heart of the district.

At night, South Bridge Road, New Bridge Road, Upper Cross Street, and Eu Tong Sen Street illuminate with dazzling lights, drawing crowds of locals and tourists. Amidst the festive decorations are a Lunar New Year fair, lion, dragon, and unicorn dances, and street performances. Visitors can watch the international lion dance competition or join the New Year countdown at Kreta Ayer Square, where the festive atmosphere reaches its peak at midnight.

New Year parade in Hong Kong

Hong Kong's New Year parade is one of the region's largest events, taking place in Tsim Sha Tsui on the first day of Lunar New Year evening. Floats inspired by the Year of the Horse zodiac animal move along the harborfront, accompanied by street performances and international art troupes.

Against the modern backdrop of skyscrapers, the sounds of festive drums and parade music resonate, creating a vibrant and colorful atmosphere for the New Year's inaugural night in the port city.

Guangzhou spring flower market, Trung Quoc

In Guangzhou, the Spring Flower Market is a tradition with a history spanning hundreds of years. Each Lunar New Year, residential areas and streets across the city transform into colorful spaces adorned with peonies, orchids, chrysanthemums, kumquat trees, and various New Year decorations.

In 2026, Guangzhou will host 11 large-scale flower markets with over 2,600 stalls. A highlight is the 13-day riverside flower market at Canton Tower Square, combining traditional shopping with a modern setting along the Pearl River.

New Year rituals at Gyeongbokgung Palace, Han Quoc

In Han Quoc, the Lunar New Year is called Seollal. In Seoul, Gyeongbokgung Palace offers free admission during the holiday, hosting many traditional activities such as folk games like yutnori and jegichagi, royal court music performances, and the early-year sebae bowing ritual.

Visitors can also explore Namsangol Hanok Village to enjoy tteokguk rice cake soup, a dish symbolizing the New Year, and experience the Seollal atmosphere in an ancient setting in the heart of the capital.

Kek Lok Si Temple lighting ceremony, Malaysia

In Penang state (Malaysia), the Lunar New Year atmosphere centers around Kek Lok Si Temple, the country's largest Buddhist temple. Each New Year, the entire hillside illuminates with thousands of lanterns and LED lights, creating a dazzling display that lasts for several nights, interspersed with fireworks during peak days.

As night falls, the Goddess of Mercy statue stands out against the Air Itam sky, while the distant George Town city center also brightens with New Year celebrations, creating one of Malaysia's most impressive Lunar New Year scenes.

Time Out Group, established in London in 1968, is a magazine specializing in travel, cuisine, and lifestyle. Its dedicated platform is known for ranking prominent destinations, festivals, restaurants, and experiences, serving as a popular reference for international travelers seeking travel recommendations and new trends.

Tuan Anh (According to Time Out)