Lunar New Year 2027: Hong Kong, Singapore, Taipei or Vietnam?

Lunar New Year 2027 falls on Saturday 6 February, starting the Year of the Goat. For travellers it's one of the most colourful times to visit East and Southeast Asia, and one of the busiest. Here is where to go, and what to know before you book.

Hong Kong: parades and harbour fireworks

Hong Kong celebrates with a night parade of floats and performers, fireworks over Victoria Harbour, flower markets, and crowds at temples like Wong Tai Sin on the first days of the year. Check the Hong Kong Tourism Board for this year's schedule.

• Your HOAM eSIM connects to 3 (H3G). Hong Kong eSIM

Singapore: Chinatown lights and river celebrations

Singapore's Chinatown is decorated with lanterns and street lights for weeks before the new year, with a festive street bazaar. Around Marina Bay there are new year festivities and performances.

• Many shops and hawker stalls close for the first day or two of the new year, but most attractions stay open.
• Your HOAM eSIM connects to Singtel. Singapore eSIM

Taipei: from New Year to the Lantern Festival

In Taiwan the celebrations run for two weeks, ending with the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day of the new year, 20 February 2027. The national Taiwan Lantern Festival moves to a different city each year, while the Pingxi sky lantern festival near Taipei is famous worldwide.

• Your HOAM eSIM connects to Chunghwa Telecom. Taiwan eSIM

Vietnam: Tết

Tết is Vietnam's most important holiday: families gather, homes are filled with peach and apricot blossoms, and the streets of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are decorated with flowers.

Be aware that it's also the hardest week of the year to travel in Vietnam:

• Many shops, restaurants and businesses close for several days.
• Trains, buses and domestic flights sell out as millions travel home.
• Prices for remaining transport and hotels go up.

Plan and book ahead, and you'll see Vietnam at its most festive.

• Your HOAM eSIM connects to Vinaphone. Vietnam eSIM

Combining cities

Lunar New Year trips often take in two places. One plan can cover them all, for example Hong Kong + Singapore. Pick the places you're visiting; a multi-country plan costs the same as the most expensive country in it, not the sum.

Tips for the holiday

1. Book flights and hotels early. This is the world's biggest annual migration.
2. Expect crowds at temples and fireworks. Agree meeting points, because networks slow down in dense crowds.
3. Check opening hours for restaurants and attractions over the first three days.
4. Bring cash for red envelopes if you're visiting friends or family.

Before you fly

Install your HOAM eSIM at home on Wi-Fi. Your plan starts on first use abroad, not on installation. Turn on data roaming for the eSIM line when you land.

Related reading: Traveling in Asia: the smartest routes and smarter connectivity · Sapporo Snow Festival 2027