PUBLIC HOLIDAYS IN ASIAN TRAILS DESTINATIONS

Federal Territory Day, Malaysia | 1 February

Only celebrated in and around Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan, Malaysia’s Federal Territory Day marks the split of the aforementioned two cities from Selangor and Labuan taking a more independent position from Sabah. Particularly the streets of Kuala Lumpur will be filled with activities and festivities on 1 February, ranging from street performances, parades and the occasional firework displays in the evening. For visitors, this is a great day to be in the Malaysian capital or in the other two important cities, meet local residents in good spirit, and see a few cultural sites being opened for the public at no cost.

Union Day, Myanmar | 12 February

Marking the day in 1947 that a major agreement was signed to unify (at that time) Burma and honouring the approved independence by the British to the new Burmese government, this instrumental day in the country’s history books is an official public holiday in Myanmar. Union Day is considered a more important than the actual Independence Day in itself, as this day led eventually to the creation of an independent country in 1948. For most of its residents, the day is a day for being among family and friends, as government officials and ministries organize parades and ceremonies to recall Union Day.

Chinese New Year Holiday, China | 15 – 20 February

Welcome to the Year of the Dog! Among the various celebrations and festivities for the Chinese, Chinese New Year is always deemed the most important of them all. Chinese families living in different part of the country or the world will make it a requirement to get together for Chinese New Year. This homecoming is very similar to the Western concept of getting together during Christmas. In reality, the Chinese uses a Lunar Calendar, which is different from the Georgian or Western calendar, and so, the start of the Lunar New Year is time for paying respect to the spirits, spreading good wishes for the new year, and being among those one holds dear. It is also the time when crops are fully harvested and preparations are made for the new planting year and people have some time to rest and celebrate. This is why Chinese New Year is sometimes known as The Spring Festival.

TET Lunar New Year, Vietnam | 15 – 21 February

Tet Nguyen Dan, better known as TET the most important holiday period in Vietnam, welcoming the New Year with an extensive period for holidaying Vietnamese. The TET celebrations differ annually as it follows the Lunar Calendar, similar as the Chinese version of the arrival of the Year of the Dog. Almost all offices, government and in the private sector will see their doors closed for multiple days where Vietnamese head out to meet their family and express their respect and remembrance of their ancestors together with family and relatives. This year, this 6-day holiday period ends on 21 February, and with seeing people going back to work on 22 February.

Chinese Lunar New Year, Indonesia | 16 February

Although the majority of Indonesians follow the teachings of the Islam, the ethnic Chinese community still holds on tight to ancient traditions related to the arrival of the Lunar New Year. The commemorative events around the arrival of Chinese New Year celebrations in this vast country differ per region and have, over time, received some Indonesian influences, but at the core of all this remains the connection with age-old traditions, passed on from their ancestors since the birth of the country.

Chinese Lunar New Year, Malaysia | 16 & 17 February

Celebrations of the arrival of yet another New Year according to the Lunar Calendar, and the large Chinese community living in Malaysia, means 2 days off in the country – 16 and 17 February. Prior to celebrations to commemorate the arrival of the Year of the Dog, homes are cleaned and decorated by members of the family. Debts are also settled while offerings and prayers are made. Also, plenty of food is prepared and new clothes are purchased. Like any other event in Asia related to the arrival of a new Lunar New Year, family members from out of town and far away will come home for the gathering.