How Southeast Asian Countries Celebrate Chinese New Year
Aside from the red and gold, these countries celebrate the festivities in their own way
A region home to a massive Chinese diaspora, Southeast Asia has spent centuries weaving their own local threads into the festive tapestry, creating celebrations as diverse as its eleven nations.
Across the region, the 2026 celebrations will be defined by the bold and independent spirit of the Horse, marked by street parades and family reunions. From the prosperity toss to lion dances, here’s how Southeast Asia’s countries celebrate Chinese New Year.
Singapore and Malaysia
In both countries, family reunion dinners, exchanging mandarin oranges, and giving ang paos (red packets) are customary. Another signature tradition is the Lo Hei, the tossing of a raw fish salad mixed with colorful vegetables, crackers, and sauces high in the air with chopsticks, a ritual wishing prosperity upon its participants.
Vietnam
Tết is Vietnam’s most significant day of the year. Celebrations begin with cleaning homes, visiting temples, and paying respects to ancestors. Family reunions are central, as cities quiet down while people travel home, and many shops close. Children and elderly family members receive money in red envelopes as a sign of health and prosperity.
Philippines
Home to the world’s oldest Chinatown, the Philippines marks the holiday with 12 different kinds of round fruits on the table, representing prosperity for each month of the year. Tikoy, a sticky rice cake, is traditionally given to friends and neighbors to signify unity within family and community. In Binondo, Chinese customs come alive with lion dances and fireworks.
Indonesia
Imlek follows similar traditions, but in Singkawang, West Kalimantan, the 15th day of the celebration features one of the region’s most unique customs. Tatung involves practitioners entering a trance-like state while piercing their bodies with sharp objects, believed to ward off evil spirits. The ritual mixes Chinese and Dayak cultural practices.
Thailand
Thailand’s large Thai-Chinese population ensures major cities host grand celebrations. Merging ancient Chinese traditions with Thai culture, the multi-day festivities feature street food, red lanterns, temple visits, and symbolic feasts. Yaowarat in Bangkok remains the heart of the celebration, alive with lion dances, parades, and food stalls.
Laos
Although Laos celebrates its national New Year in April, Chinese and Vietnamese people observe the Lunar New Year with a focus on communal cooking. Families gather to make Khao Tom, a sticky rice and banana treat, and steam it to perfection. Visiting multiple temples brings luck for the year ahead.
Brunei
Despite being a predominantly Malay-Muslim nation, Brunei has a vibrant Chinese-Bornean community that celebrates with its own social flair. Open houses are central to the festivities, where Chinese families invite neighbors of all backgrounds to share a festive meal.
