If you are planning travel to Southeast Asia at this time, do not forget to go these countries and experience their New Year
New Year ‘s celebration time
13 Apr – 15 Apr (fixed date according to western calendar). New Year extends from 5 days to 10 days.
Customs
Songkran is a dazzling festival and Thailand’s most significant occasion, symbolizing the end of the dry season and the arrival of a new year with spiritual rites and water fights. It signifies the end of the sun’s journey from one zodiac position to another and is observed through the Water Splashing Festival. In Buddhism, water is sprayed on Buddha statues to bring good luck, while the younger generation bathes the hands of the elderly in exchange for their blessings. The unique point of the event is people congregate in the streets for lively water fights, where they splash water back and forth, creating a joyous and festive atmosphere.
April 13, Song Nam Phra Day is celebrated with the largest water fights, accompanied by parading Buddha icons throughout the country.
April 14, Wan Nao, is Thai New Year’s Eve, a National Family Day promoting quality time spent with loved ones.
April 15, the new year begins, and the festivities continue with Wan Payawan, also known as ‘Bathing Buddha’ Day, featuring parties, concerts, street food, and, of course, more water fights!
Food must try
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- Tom Yum Goong is a bold and aromatic Thai soup with a spicy flavor, made with lemongrass, chili, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, shallots, lime juice, and fish sauce. It features fresh prawns and mushrooms with some coconut cream.
Khao Niao Mamuang (Mango Sticky Rice)or khao niao mamuang, is a delectable dessert made with fresh mango, glutinous rice, palm sugar, and coconut milk. The rice is mixed with coconut milk, sugar, and salt, left to sit until the milk is absorbed, and served with sliced ripe mango and remaining milk on the top. CNN Travel named it one of the World’s 50 Best Desserts, and it’s a must-try during mango season in Thailand.
Khao Soi, If you’re in Northern Thailand, you must try the curry-based noodle soup – a unique and delicious dish. The broth is rich and spicy, made with coconut milk and typically features chicken or beef with soft, wheat-and-egg noodles. The addition of lime, sliced shallots, and pickled greens creates a pleasing contrast of flavors and textures.
Culture tips in Thailand
Remove your shoes whenever you enter temples or people’s homes. They consider feet is the dirtiest part of body
Dress code in temples, you must be choosing the clothes that cover your shoulders, knees, stomachRespect the King, don’t talk negative things about him
New Year ‘s celebration time
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- New Year ‘s celebration time: Apr 14 to Apr 16. The New Year festival called Pi Mai or Songkran
The New Year festivities in Luang Prabang last almost a week, featuring parades, beauty pageants, and concerts. The procession carrying the Prabang Buddha on a golden palanquin is the most significant event for the religious, led by mythical creatures Pou Gneu and Gna Gneu, followed by monks. During the celebration, the Nang Sangkhane beauty contest takes place, where seven contestants represent the daughters of King Kabinlaphom. Traditional performances and processions continue throughout the evening.
Custom
To ensure that the kwan spirits within humans, animals, plants, and objects stay protected from bad omens during the New Year, Laotians perform the baci ceremony. During the ceremony, participants make offerings, chant with a venerable elder, and wear a white thread around their wrist as a symbol of tying the kwan to the body. The first day of the new year involves going to temples to listen to the chants of the monks and asking for forgiveness, followed by a candlelight procession.
Food must try
Mok Pa – a fragrant steamed fish dish wrapped in banana leaves with lemongrass, chili, kaffir lime leaves, and fish sauce.
Sticky rice – a staple in Lao cuisine often served with various dishes and eaten with your hands.
Lam – a hearty stew made with pork or beef, vegetables, and fresh herbs.
Ping Kai – grilled chicken marinated in lemongrass, chili, and fish sauce.
Khao Poon – a spicy rice noodle soup with chicken, pork, or fish, and flavored with coconut milk and herbs.
Sai Oua – a spicy Lao sausage made with pork and various herbs and spices.
Lao-style grilled fish – fish grilled with various herbs, spices, and vegetables, often served with sticky rice and dipping sauces.
Culture tips in Laos
Pointing at things with your feet is considered very disrespectful
Try not to step over someone who is seated, as the head is considered higher than the feet. Keep your feet on the ground and avoid tucking them under you or propping them up on a table or chair.Don’t wear shoes enter to temples or people’s homes
New Year’s celebration time
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- New Year ‘s celebration time:
13 Apr – 15 Apr (fixed date according to western calendar). New Year extends from 5 days to 10 days.
Thingyan celebrate 13-16 April
Custom
Prepare to be swept away by the joyous festivities of Burmese New Year! The celebration, known as Thingyan or the Water Festival, marks the arrival of a fresh start and new beginnings. For three magnificent days, participants from all walks of life gather to take part in a cherished Burmese tradition: the exuberant splashing of water upon one another. This age-old custom symbolizes the cleansing of the old year, making way for the dawn of a brand new chapter in life.
During Thingyan, Mont Lone Yeibaw – glutinous rice balls with jaggery inside – are prepared by the community, thrown into boiling water, and served as soon as they surface. Mont Let Saung is another popular snack, consisting of sticky rice with toasted sesame in jaggery syrup and coconut milk, served with grated coconut.
Food must try
Ohinga – a savory fish soup served with rice noodles, lemongrass, and a variety of spices
Laphet Thoke – a zesty tea leaf salad made with fermented tea leaves, peanuts, sesame seeds, and other flavorful ingredients
Shan-style noodles – a comforting dish featuring wide rice noodles in a savory broth with your choice of meat and an array of toppings
Ohn No Khao Swè – a coconut chicken noodle soup, often served with crispy noodles, hard-boiled egg, and other toppings
Burmese curries – rich, flavorful stews made with a variety of meats or vegetables and aromatic spices like cumin, coriander, and turmeric
Culture tips in Myanmar
People use thanaka makeup to draw on their cheeks and nose for both decoration and sun protection.
Respect the local regious. Not wearing shoes enter any temples.
Get ready to ring in the New Year Southeast Asia-Style of April 2023. With a multitude of vibrant and enchanting celebrations across the region, there’s no shortage of amazing activities to add to your travel itinerary. These celebrations provide a window into the region’s diverse cultures. Don’t pass up the opportunity to experience these unforgettable events and create lasting memories!