ASEAN Celebration of Festivals — A Festival Journey Through Southeast Asia
A destination during festival season captivates travelers with a charm quite unlike its everyday self. We look at the signature festivals of the ten ASEAN countries and suggest places to visit and things to enjoy when you travel during the festivities.
Words Pitch by Pitch
Materials courtesy of ASEAN-Korea Centre*
* An international organization established to promote intergovernmental cooperation in the economic, social, and cultural fields between the Republic of Korea and the ten ASEAN countries. It was founded on March 13, 2009, with the aim of expanding exchange and cooperation between Korea and the ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Brunei
Hari Raya AidilFitri
About the Festival
Held to celebrate the end of Ramadan, Hari Raya AidilFitri is the biggest festival in Brunei. It usually runs for four days starting right after Ramadan ends, and because the Islamic calendar has only 354 days a year, the dates shift from year to year. Hari Raya means “day of celebration,” and AidilFitri means “festival of breaking the fast.” On the day Ramadan’s daylight fasting comes to an end, Bruneians pray at the mosque, ask family and friends for forgiveness, and share homemade dishes while exchanging good wishes. Children also traditionally receive pocket money from their parents and relatives.
Where to Go for the Festival
The busiest places during Hari Raya AidilFitri are Istana Nurul Iman and the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque in the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. Istana Nurul Iman, the royal palace of Brunei, is normally closed tight but opens to the public only for Hari Raya, drawing some 300,000 visitors during the festival. The Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, adorned with a golden dome, gleaming white marble, and splendid stained glass, is the most popular mosque in Brunei. It overflows with Muslim worshippers as well as travelers from around the world who come just to take in Hari Raya itself.
More to Enjoy
In Bandar Seri Begawan, be sure to visit Kampong Ayer and The Royal Regalia Centre. Known as the “Venice of the East,” Kampong Ayer is the world’s largest water village, with a history of 1,000 years. Along the Brunei River, stilt houses are packed together and are home to some 20,000 people, with schools, hospitals, a police station, and even a fire station among them. There are open houses for visitors as well as accommodations for travelers. The Royal Regalia Centre is a royal museum where you can trace 600 years of Bruneian royal history. It displays the golden chariot used at the king’s coronation, royal garments embroidered with gold thread, and a scale model of Istana Nurul Iman.
When: After Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, ends
Getting There: A direct flight from Incheon International Airport to Brunei International Airport takes 5 hours 20 minutes. Downtown Bandar Seri Begawan is about 20 minutes away by car.
Cambodia
Bon Om Touk
About the Festival
Bon Om Touk is Cambodia’s largest water festival, lasting three days. When the full moon rises at the end of the rainy season, the water that had been flowing from the Mekong River into Tonle Sap Lake reverses and flows back toward the sea. The festival began to mark this change in the current, to thank the gods for the abundant rain, and to pray for a good harvest. The highlight Cambodians look forward to most is the boat race on the Mekong River. About 100 rowers sit packed into long, slender boats and paddle in perfect unison, and with their colorful uniforms and rousing chants, they send the huge crowds gathered along the riverbank into a frenzy of excitement.
Where to Go for the Festival
The main stage of Bon Om Touk is Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh. Huge numbers of people converge from across the country, joined by travelers and press crews, and the area around the Tonle Sap is bustling day and night throughout the festival. The excitement peaks after dark, when cruise boats lit up with neon lights appear, fireworks fill the night sky, and lively street performances begin. Street stalls selling skewers of meat, seafood, and sausage, as well as savory rice noodles, are another essential part of the fun. Among the festival foods, ambok (flattened rice with banana and coconut, shaped like a full moon) is a holiday dish Cambodians eat to give thanks for the blessings of the gods.
More to Enjoy
In Phnom Penh, explore Cambodia’s history and get to know the region’s distinctive culture. The Royal Palace, home to the Cambodian king and the royal family, was built in 1866 in the Khmer architectural style. The 59-meter golden tower where kings are enthroned and the Silver Pagoda, paved with 5,000 silver tiles weighing more than a kilogram each, inspire awe. Right next to the palace stands the National Museum of Cambodia, striking for its red Khmer-style exterior. Through ancient Khmer relics and artifacts from the Funan and Chenla kingdoms, visitors can trace the history of Cambodia. More than 14,000 pieces, including national-treasure-class works of art, hold visitors spellbound.
When: Between October and November
Getting There: A direct flight from Incheon International Airport to Phnom Penh International Airport takes 5 hours 30 minutes. Downtown Phnom Penh is about an hour away by car.
Indonesia
Nyepi Day
About the Festival
Nyepi Day is the traditional New Year festival of Bali, Indonesia. Nyepi means “seclusion” in Indonesian. True to its name, Nyepi Day is observed in silence, a scene entirely unlike New Year celebrations in other cultures, with their dazzling fireworks, lavish feasts, and boisterous greetings. To draw closer to Bali’s supreme deity, Sang Hyang Widi Wasa, one must pray in absolute silence. On Nyepi Day, all lights and noise disappear from the island, entertainment is prohibited, and even Bali’s international airport closes, halting takeoffs and landings for 24 hours.
Where to Go for the Festival
The day itself is wrapped in silence, but the day before is full of classic festival fervor. You can witness it in Ubud and Seminyak, travelers’ paradises where the Ogoh-Ogoh takes place. Ogoh-Ogoh is a parade in which young men carry giant demon effigies made of paper or Styrofoam through the streets to the sound of gamelan, traditional Indonesian music. Residents and travelers gather around the procession of demon figures until there is hardly room to stand. After the parade, the effigies are burned in the Ngrupuk ritual, through which Balinese people believe they drive away all the evil spirits that bring misfortune and disease.
More to Enjoy
In Ubud, immerse yourself in Bali’s distinctive artistic atmosphere. Ubud Market, in the heart of town, is the largest and most eye-catching spot in Ubud. Along its narrow alleys, shops selling brightly patterned scarves, cute Buddha statuettes, and more are packed shoulder to shoulder. Across from the market, Ubud Palace was home to Ubud’s last king. With luck, you can catch a traditional Balinese dance performed against the palace backdrop. Monkey Forest Road, where monkeys roam freely, is lined with galleries showing high-quality works.
When: The New Year’s Day of the traditional Balinese Saka Calendar (usually in March of the Gregorian calendar)
Getting There: A direct flight from Incheon International Airport to Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport takes about 7 hours. Downtown Ubud is about 1 hour 40 minutes from the airport by car.
Boun That Luang, Laos
Boun That Luang
About the Festival
Boun That Luang is the most important Buddhist festival in Laos. The full moon day of the 12th lunar month, along with the two days before it, is a public holiday. That Luang, meaning “Sacred Stupa,” is the name of the temple that symbolizes Laos, and the festival is centered on it. The stupa was built when the capital moved from Luang Prabang to Vientiane in 1566, and a whopping 450 kilograms of gold were reportedly used to make its golden spire. During Boun That Luang, people gather to offer alms to monks, and a parade proceeds from Wat Simuang to That Luang.
Where to Go for the Festival
Vientiane, on the Mekong River, holds a thousand years of history. A relaxed mood runs through the city, and travelers are captivated by its old-world architecture, lovely riverside views, and excellent food. Simply visiting Buddhist temples such as That Luang, Wat Sisaket, Wat Simuang, and Ho Phakhew is enough to feel the city’s charm. The parade that marches to That Luang during Boun That Luang is an experience found only in Vientiane. Tribes from across Laos, monks, government officials, and tourists form a procession toward the temple, making for a spectacular sight. At dawn on the full moon day, thousands of monks from around the country sit in front of That Luang to receive alms, and the festival closes with a dazzling fireworks display that lights up the night sky.
More to Enjoy
If you want to enjoy Vientiane a little more, head to one of the many cafés lining its streets. Influenced by the French, Vientiane developed a strong café culture. Seek out cafés with an artistic sensibility and sample top-quality coffee and distinctive desserts. Namphu Square, where fountains spray refreshingly, is a place to fully enjoy Vientiane, whose name means “City of the Moon.” At outdoor tables, you can savor Lao dishes while listening to a live band. After sunset, stalls selling souvenirs and grilled skewers open along the Mekong riverbank, bringing it to life, and it makes a fine place to end a festival day.
When: The 15th day of the 12th lunar month
Getting There: A direct flight from Incheon International Airport to Wattay International Airport takes 5 hours 40 minutes. From the airport to downtown Vientiane is about 15 minutes by car.
Gawai Dayak, Malaysia
Gawai Dayak
About the Festival
This is a harvest thanksgiving festival held every year in Sarawak, on the island of Borneo in Malaysia. “Gawai” means festival, and “Dayak” is a collective term for the various indigenous peoples of Sarawak, including the Iban, Bidayuh, and Kayan. Believing that spirits dwell in all of nature, from fields and paddies to mountains and sea, the people of Sarawak have long celebrated a harvest festival after the harvest, praying for abundance as a new farming season begins. On May 31, the eve of the festival, preparations for the festive food begin. Families gather to make the traditional treat penganan from rice flour, sugar, and coconut milk, and to brew tuak, a rice wine similar to Korea’s makgeolli. It is the most important holiday for locals, and it was first designated a public holiday in 1965.
Where to Go for the Festival
Sarawak is a region where astonishing nature and diverse cultures meet. Rare animals and plants such as orangutans live in its rainforests, while the highlands offer cool weather, relaxation, and outdoor activities. Gawai Dayak is held throughout Sarawak, including the state capital, Kuching. Kuching is both a gateway to the nature of Borneo and a city that preserves a modern and contemporary heritage. It developed early on as a trading hub, and many cultures have passed through it. It is also the gateway to Sarawak’s natural attractions, such as Bako National Park, Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, and Matang Wildlife Centre.
More to Enjoy
Kuching is a city where you can encounter diverse cultures, from stylish 19th-century buildings to museums and temples. Shopping malls, hotels, and restaurants cluster around the Sarawak River, so there is plenty to do. Laksa, which originated in Malaysia, midin (stir-fried wild fern), and Sarawak coffee, grown in the Sarawak jungle, are considered must-try foods in Kuching. You can see the city’s past and present at the dazzling golden Sarawak State Legislative Assembly building, the Kuching Mosque, the city’s first mosque, and the Sarawak Museum, where you can explore the state’s history and way of life.
When: June 1
Getting There: From Incheon International Airport to Kuching International Airport, via Kuala Lumpur, takes about 8 hours. From the airport to downtown Kuching is about 20 minutes by car.
Thingyan Festival, Myanmar
Thingyan Festival
About the Festival
Thingyan is Myanmar’s water festival to welcome the new year. Along with Thailand’s Songkran and Laos’s Pi Mai, it is considered one of Southeast Asia’s leading water festivals, and it is also Myanmar’s biggest festival. It is said that since around the 6th century BCE, people in Myanmar have splashed water to wash away sins and karma and to pray for virtue in the new year. The festival usually lasts three to four days, and because it falls in mid-April, the hottest and most humid time of the year, people douse one another with water guns, hoses, and other tools, partly to cool off. Myanmar’s true new year can be said to begin only after Thingyan ends.
Where to Go for the Festival
Thingyan takes place all across Myanmar, from Yangon, its largest city, to Mawlamyine in the south. Mandalay is one of those places. Tents go up on the roads in front of Mandalay’s royal palace, temples, and other major buildings for new year performances, charity bazaars, and various events, and the festival atmosphere heats up once vendors selling toy water guns and grilled skewers appear. Drenched children running barefoot and trucks full of young people racing down the streets as they are doused with water are among the joyful scenes of Thingyan. Travelers passing through the streets get splashed too. Since the point is to shed old grime and start the year clean, you should simply join in with good cheer.
More to Enjoy
In Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, the busiest spot is Mahamuni Pagoda, because of the crowds who gather to see the Mahamuni Buddha, the image the people of Myanmar hold most sacred. The statue’s face is washed with water scented with sandalwood, and then gold leaf is applied. This ritual has continued for more than 200 years, and the gold attached to the Buddha now weighs a whopping 2 tons. The 1.2-kilometer U Bein Bridge is another sight not to be missed. The 150-year-old bridge stretches endlessly across Taungthaman Lake, and its reflection on the water at sunrise and sunset creates a dreamlike scene, making it Myanmar’s best-known photo spot.
When: Myanmar’s new year, in mid-April by the solar calendar
Getting There: From Incheon International Airport to Mandalay International Airport, via Yangon International Airport, takes about 8 hours. From the airport to downtown Mandalay is about 1 hour.
Sinulog Festival, Philippines
Sinulog Festival
About the Festival
The Sinulog Festival is a traditional religious festival on the island of Cebu. “Sinulog” comes from a word in Cebuano, a language of the Philippines, meaning “graceful dance.” It began as a dance performed by the island’s indigenous people, inspired by the flow of water. After Christianity reached Cebu in the 16th century, it was transformed into a dance in praise of the Santo Niño, the statue of the Child Jesus. The festival traces its origins to 1521, when the Spanish explorer Ferdinand Magellan baptized the king and queen who ruled Cebu and gave them an image of the Santo Niño. Today, Sinulog draws more than 2 million participants every year and is one of the biggest events in the Philippines.
Where to Go for the Festival
Cebu, widely known as a world-class resort destination, becomes even livelier and more colorful during Sinulog. The highlight is the street parade, in which groups from all over the Philippines dance the Sinulog in dazzling costumes. Beginning on the third Saturday of January, the “River Procession” carries the Santo Niño statue by boat to visit places around the city, and crowds gather around the Basilica del Santo Niño, a symbol of the history of Catholicism taking root in the Philippines. On Sunday, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims holding rosaries and candles follow in the final procession. The official events conclude with a Solemn Mass celebrated by a cardinal, but the festival’s energy carries on late into the night.
More to Enjoy
After soaking up some leisurely time at a Cebu resort, add a few sights to your itinerary that will enrich the trip. Visiting Magellan’s Cross, said to have been the first cross Magellan erected after arriving in the Philippines, and Fort San Pedro, the oldest fort in the country, will help you appreciate the history and meaning of Sinulog. Toward sunset, head up to Tops Hill, the highest viewpoint in Cebu. Along with a gorgeous sunset, you will see Cebu City and Mactan Island spread out before you, and on a clear day even Bohol Island comes into view.
When: The third weekend of January
Getting There: A direct flight from Incheon International Airport to Mactan-Cebu International Airport takes 4 hours 40 minutes. From the airport to downtown Cebu, it is about an hour by car.
Chingay Festival, Singapore
Chingay
About the Festival
The Chingay Festival originated in the 19th century in the Lunar New Year celebrations that Chinese immigrants held in Penang and Johor, Malaysia. “Chingay” is a Hokkien Chinese term meaning costume art and masquerade. In Singapore, the Chingay parade began in earnest in 1973 to celebrate the Lunar New Year. It has grown more popular with each passing year and is now one of Singapore’s signature events. During Chingay, the many ethnic groups living in Singapore, including Chinese, Malay and Indian communities, mingle with travelers from around the world, and the festive mood spreads across the country. The highlight is the parade held at the Formula 1 circuit. Elaborately decorated floats and sculptures, along with thousands of performers in masks and costumes, put on spectacular shows while huge crowds throw themselves into the festivities.
Where to Go for the Festival
The Chingay parade was once held on Orchard Road, but since 2010 it has moved to the F1 Pit Building in the Marina Bay district. Built on reclaimed land, Marina Bay is no exaggeration a symbol of modern Singapore. There are also several must-see sights for anyone visiting the city. Against a backdrop of multinational neon signs and a grand skyline of high-rises, you will find world-class hotels and shopping malls, the artificial garden Gardens by The Bay, the large concert hall Esplanade, and many other landmarks and leisure facilities. Throughout the year, events of all kinds, Chingay among them, are held here.
More to Enjoy
Marina Bay is full of things to do and see. The night skyline view from the rooftop infinity pool at Marina Bay Sands is fantastic, and Gardens by The Bay, the world’s largest artificial garden, feels like stepping into a forest of the future. For a one-of-a-kind memory, ride the Singapore Flyer, the giant Ferris wheel, and enjoy a meal and cocktails with a stunning view. Places to relax are easy to find, too. Marina Barrage is a picnic spot beloved by locals, crowded on weekends with couples and families lazing back to watch the sunset.
When: The week of Lunar New Year, every year
Getting There: Several airlines, including Singapore Airlines, fly daily from Incheon International Airport to Singapore Changi Airport. The flight takes about 6 hours.
Loy Krathong Festival, Thailand
Loy Krathong
About the Festival
Loy Krathong is Thailand’s signature festival, in which people float baskets decorated with candles, flowers and incense on the water to make wishes to the water spirits. “Loy” means “to float,” and “krathong” refers to a lotus-shaped basket made from the trunk and leaves of a banana tree. Since ancient times, Thai people have believed that floating a basket on a river or canal, as a sign of respect for the spirit of the water dwelling in the Mekong, makes all misfortune disappear. That belief grew into a traditional festival for washing away the previous year’s bad luck and wishing for happiness in the new year. During the festival, major Thai cities such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Sukhothai and Ayutthaya host a variety of attractions that reflect local character, including traditional ceremonies, beauty pageants and best-krathong contests.
Where to Go for the Festival
In Sukhothai, a historic city about 400 kilometers north of the capital, Bangkok, you can enjoy the most traditional form of Loy Krathong. Set against the backdrop of Sukhothai Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991, the festival offers a rich program of lantern processions, krathong floating, exhibitions and folk dances. Sukhothai was the capital of the first independent Thai kingdom, founded by the Tai people in the mid-13th century. True to its name, which means “dawn of happiness,” it is known as the place where Thailand’s first golden age began. At the time, Thailand broke free of the sphere of influence of the Khmer, the dominant power on the Indochinese Peninsula, embraced Buddhism, developed religious art and architecture, created a writing system, and cultivated a distinctive culture of its own. Sukhothai Historical Park, with its many ancient temples inside a rectangular city wall, preserves the traces of a kingdom that flourished brilliantly for about 200 years.
More to Enjoy
In Sukhothai, where ruined temples and Buddha statues are preserved right in the middle of the city, you can take a journey back in time. After touring temples that show the true character of Sukhothai architecture, such as Wat Sa Si and Wat Mahathat in the historical park, visit Wat Si Chum, home to a huge seated Buddha 15 meters tall, and Wat Saphan Hin, built on a hill about 200 meters high. You will get a sense of Thailand’s own identity. Most of the temples and historic sites can be explored by bicycle.
When: The full moon of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar (around November)
Getting There: Take a direct flight from Incheon International Airport to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport (about 5 hours 50 minutes), then a domestic flight (about 1 hour 20 minutes) to Sukhothai.
Vu Lan Festival, Viet Nam
Vu Lan
About the Festival
Vu Lan is an important day that symbolizes the culture of filial piety in Viet Nam. It falls on Baekjung (the Ghost Festival), regarded in Buddhism as the month of the dead, and for one day people express respect and remembrance for their ancestors in many different ways. According to tradition, the festival originated with Maudgalyayana, one of the Buddha’s ten great disciples, who gathered monks on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month to pray together in order to save his mother, who had fallen into hell for wrongs committed in this life. On this day in Viet Nam, people pin a red rose on parents who are still living and offer a white rose for those who have passed, setting out all kinds of food for ancestral rites. Because it is believed that the gates of hell open during this time and that suffering souls can reunite with their families, people not only honor their parents and ancestors but also pray for wandering or hungry spirits and leave trays of food outside their homes.
Where to Go for the Festival
On the day of the festival, households across Viet Nam hold ancestral rites and express their respect for their parents with roses, while many people visit temples to pray and make offerings. If you visit Hoi An, an old city in central Viet Nam, at this time of year, you can witness the spectacle that unfolds for the festival. Thousands of lotus-shaped paper lanterns adorn the Hoài River, which runs through the Old Town, creating an enchanting scene. In Viet Nam, lanterns generally carry wishes for good fortune and happiness, but those floated on Hoi An’s river during Vu Lan carry feelings of mourning for the departed and comfort for lost souls.
Things to Enjoy Along the Way
Hoi An, which thrived as an international trading port from the 15th to the 19th century, is a captivating destination that has preserved the look of that era well. The Old Town, where the cultures of East and West, including Viet Nam, Japan, China, and Europe, coexist, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Old buildings in a variety of styles sit in every corner along narrow alleys, creating a distinctive atmosphere, and highlights include the Japanese Covered Bridge, a wooden bridge with a roof built by Japanese merchants in the late 16th century, and the Old House of Tan Ky, once home to a merchant of Chinese origin. The night view, with colorful lanterns lighting up the streets, is just as beautiful.
When: The 15th day of the seventh lunar month, when the full moon rises (Baekjung, 百中)
Getting There: The flight from Incheon International Airport to Da Nang International Airport takes about four hours. Hoi An is 30 kilometers by car from downtown Da Nang.