Chinese New Year is the biggest annual event across much of Southeast Asia. In 2027, the Lunar New Year falls on February 6th, ushering in the Year of the Goat. But the celebrations stretch well beyond a single day — most cities come alive for one to two weeks with parades, temple ceremonies, street performances, and spectacular food.
For travellers, CNY offers a once-a-year cultural spectacle. It also brings the most significant hotel price increases outside of Christmas. Here's how to experience the festivities without emptying your wallet.
Singapore: The Gold Standard of CNY Celebrations
Singapore does Chinese New Year better than any other city in Southeast Asia. The ethnic Chinese population makes up about 75% of residents, and the city treats CNY as its marquee cultural event.
What Happens
- **Chinatown light-up**: Pagoda Street and surrounding lanes are draped in elaborate themed lantern installations starting mid-January. The 2026 display attracted over 2 million visitors across the festival period. - **River Hongbao**: A massive waterfront carnival at The Float @ Marina Bay featuring nightly fireworks, towering lantern displays, cultural performances, and street food stalls. Free entry, runs for about 10 days. - **Chingay Parade**: Southeast Asia's largest street performance, with elaborately decorated floats, dragon dances, and performers from across Asia. Think Mardi Gras meets Chinese tradition. Ticketed event, but worth it. - **Temple ceremonies**: Thian Hock Keng Temple (the city's oldest Chinese temple) holds dawn prayer services on CNY morning. Arrive before 6am for a powerful, intimate experience.
Where to Stay
**Fullerton Hotel** (Score: 91) sits directly on the Singapore River, perfectly positioned between Chinatown and Marina Bay. During CNY, the hotel's historic facade is illuminated in red and gold, and the lobby features traditional floral displays that are genuinely impressive. Rates climb 25-35% during CNY week, but the location premium is justified.
**Carlton Hotel Singapore** (Score: 85) is a smarter budget pick. Located on Bras Basah Road, it's walking distance to both Chinatown and the Civic District. Rooms are smaller but well-maintained, and CNY rates stay more reasonable — typically $180-250/night versus $400+ at the luxury flagships.
Pricing Impact
Singapore hotel rates increase 20-40% during CNY week. The spike is sharpest at properties in or near Chinatown. Book at least 6-8 weeks ahead for the best selection. Our data shows that Agoda tends to have the most competitive CNY rates for Singapore properties — check SEA Hotel's price comparison to verify before booking.
Penang: The Most Authentic CNY Outside China
Penang's Chinese New Year celebrations are widely considered the most vibrant and authentic in all of Southeast Asia. George Town's UNESCO-listed heritage district, built by Chinese immigrants in the 19th century, erupts into a kaleidoscope of colour and sound.
What Happens
- **Clan Jetties celebrations**: The waterfront Chinese clan houses (Chew Jetty, Lim Jetty, etc.) hold family-run celebrations with traditional rituals. Visitors are welcome — these feel personal and real in a way that larger events can't match. - **Kek Lok Si Temple light-up**: Malaysia's largest Buddhist temple transforms into a mountain of lights for the entire CNY period. Over 10,000 lanterns and LED lights illuminate the hilltop complex. Visible from across George Town and absolutely spectacular after dark. - **Open houses**: Penang's Chinese families maintain the tradition of opening their homes to visitors during CNY. Heritage properties on Armenian Street and Lebuh Acheh set up receiving areas with traditional snacks and ang pow (red packets) for children. - **Street performances**: Lion and dragon dances move through the heritage district's narrow streets. The acrobatic pole-climbing performances at the Khoo Kongsi clan temple are world-class.
Where to Stay
**Eastern & Oriental Hotel** (Score: 90) is Penang's grand dame — a colonial waterfront property that celebrates CNY with a traditional lion dance through its lobby on New Year morning. The Heritage Wing suites are spacious and elegant, with verandas overlooking the Malacca Strait. CNY rates run $200-320/night.
**Seven Terraces** (Score: 88) is a boutique option on Stewart Lane, right in the heart of the heritage district. Seven restored Anglo-Chinese townhouses converted into 18 suites. You'll be steps from the Khoo Kongsi temple and the main parade routes. It books up fast for CNY — reserve two months ahead minimum.
Pricing Impact
Penang is more reasonable than Singapore during CNY. Expect 15-25% premiums. The island absorbs visitors well because there's a large stock of mid-range hotels and heritage guesthouses.
Pro Tip
Hokkien New Year (the 9th day of CNY) is arguably more spectacular than CNY Day itself in Penang. Enormous offerings of sugarcane, fruit, and roasted pig are made at midnight in Hokkien temples across the island, accompanied by deafening firecrackers. It typically falls about nine days after CNY — in 2027, that's February 14th.
Bangkok: Yaowarat Comes Alive
Bangkok's Chinatown (Yaowarat Road) is one of the world's largest, and during CNY it transforms from a bustling food street into a full-blown festival ground.
What Happens
- **Yaowarat Road festival**: The main road closes to traffic and fills with stages, food stalls, and performance areas. Chinese opera, acrobatic troupes, and dragon dances run continuously. The street food during CNY week is arguably the best in all of Bangkok — and that's saying something. - **Wat Mangkon Kamalawat**: Bangkok's most important Chinese Buddhist temple sees tens of thousands of worshippers during CNY. The smoke from burning incense and joss paper creates an atmospheric haze. Arrive early morning to avoid the biggest crowds. - **Nakhon Sawan celebrations**: If you're willing to venture two hours north of Bangkok, the city of Nakhon Sawan holds Thailand's largest CNY parade. The scale rivals Penang's celebrations.
Where to Stay
**Shanghai Mansion Bangkok** (Score: 83) is a boutique gem on Yaowarat Road itself. Art Deco interiors with Chinese touches, and you're literally in the middle of the action. Rates are modest — $80-130/night even during CNY — making this the best-value CNY experience on our list.
**Mandarin Oriental Bangkok** (Score: 94) is a 15-minute taxi ride from Yaowarat but offers an entirely different experience. The hotel's Chinese restaurant, China House, hosts special CNY banquets with visiting chefs from Hong Kong. A splurge at $400-600/night during the festival, but the Mandarin Oriental during any celebration is hard to beat.
Pricing Impact
Bangkok is less affected by CNY pricing than Singapore or Penang. Most hotels see only a 10-20% increase. The Thai tourism industry is geared more toward Western holiday calendars, so CNY falls in what hotels consider "normal" high season rather than a special event premium.
Ho Chi Minh City: Tet Nguyen Dan
Vietnam's Lunar New Year — Tet — is the country's most important holiday. While it shares roots with Chinese New Year, Tet has its own distinct character and traditions.
What Happens
- **Nguyen Hue Flower Street**: The main boulevard in District 1 is transformed into an elaborate flower exhibition with themed installations. Each year has a different artistic direction — recent years have featured 10-metre-tall floral sculptures and interactive light displays. Free entry, and it runs from about a week before Tet through the festival. - **Cho Lon (Chinatown) markets**: District 5's Chinese quarter comes alive with CNY markets selling dried fruits, red decorations, preserved meats, and traditional sweets. The atmosphere is frenetic and intoxicating. - **Temple visits**: Jade Emperor Pagoda and Thien Hau Temple see enormous crowds. The incense smoke, chanting, and press of devotees make for powerful cultural immersion.
Important Warning
Many restaurants and shops close for 3-7 days during Tet. This includes popular local eateries and even some hotel restaurants. The city feels eerily quiet on the main Tet days as families retreat indoors for celebrations. If you're visiting specifically for Tet, confirm that dining options near your hotel will be open.
Where to Stay
**Park Hyatt Saigon** (Score: 90) on Lam Son Square is the smart choice. Their restaurants stay open throughout Tet, they run cultural programming for guests, and the location means you're walking distance to Nguyen Hue Flower Street. Tet rates typically run $250-380/night.
**The Reverie Saigon** (Score: 89) is the more opulent option. Their Italian-leaning design makes for an interesting contrast with the Vietnamese New Year celebrations outside, and the rooftop bar has views across the District 1 skyline. Slightly higher rates — $300-450/night during Tet.
Pricing Impact
Mixed. International-brand hotels in HCMC increase rates by 15-25% during Tet. However, because local travel peaks (Vietnamese families travel domestically), budget and mid-range hotels in popular domestic destinations like Da Lat and Vung Tau can double or triple in price.
Hoi An: Lantern Magic
Hoi An's ancient town is atmospheric at any time of year, but during Tet the combination of traditional lanterns, incense, and river ceremonies is truly extraordinary.
What Happens
The ancient town's famous lanterns multiply during Tet, with homes and shops displaying elaborate arrangements. The Thu Bon River sees floating lantern ceremonies on Tet Eve. The surrounding countryside celebrates with village-level performances and communal meals that visitors can sometimes join through hotel-arranged excursions.
Where to Stay
**Anantara Hoi An Resort** (Score: 88) sits directly on the Thu Bon riverfront in the old town. Watch the floating lantern ceremony from your room's balcony. Tet rates are reasonable — $150-250/night — and the resort arranges Tet cooking classes and cultural excursions.
How to Find Deals Despite CNY Premiums
CNY pricing is unavoidable if you want to experience the celebrations, but there are ways to minimize the impact.
**Book early**: CNY dates are known years in advance. Hotels that are $250/night when booked 3 months out can be $350+ at the last minute. Our data shows an average 18% savings for bookings made 8+ weeks before CNY versus 2 weeks before.
**Stay adjacent**: Instead of booking in Chinatown, stay 15-20 minutes away and visit for the celebrations. Bangkok's Riverside area, for example, offers the same hotel quality at 30% lower CNY rates than Yaowarat-adjacent properties.
**Compare aggressively**: CNY is when platform price differences are largest. Hotels allocate different room blocks to different platforms, and as inventory tightens, prices diverge. We've seen $80-100/night differences between platforms for the same Singapore hotel during CNY week. Use SEA Hotel to check all platforms before committing.
**Consider arrival timing**: Rates peak on CNY Eve and the first two days. Arriving on Day 3 or 4 of the festival often means 15-20% lower rates, and celebrations are still in full swing.
Cultural Tips for Travellers
- **Wear red**: It's considered lucky and shows respect for the occasion. At minimum, avoid wearing all black or all white, which are associated with mourning. - **Carry small denominations**: You may be offered ang pow (red envelopes) and should reciprocate. Small bills in red envelopes make appropriate gifts for hotel staff and service workers. - **Expect noise**: Firecrackers, drums, and lion dance cymbals are part of the experience. Light sleepers should request rooms away from street-facing sides. - **ATMs run dry**: In Vietnam especially, ATMs in tourist areas can run out of cash during Tet as both locals and visitors withdraw holiday money. Arrive with sufficient cash or use hotel currency exchange.
Chinese New Year in Southeast Asia is one of the world's great cultural celebrations. With the right destination, hotel, and booking strategy, you can experience it at its most vibrant without the financial hangover.
