If youโre going to be in Southeast Asia for New Year, youโre probably wondering what is on offer in terms of the celebrations.
Worry not! The region knows how to party and there are plenty of places to celebrate the New Year. From firecrackers and buckets to off-grid yoga retreats, New Year events in Southeast Asia have you covered whatever your vibe and travel style.
With a little pre-planning you can find the perfect place to usher in the New Year!
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Top Destinations in Southeast Asia for New Yearโs Eve ๐๐ฅณ๐
๐จ Important Note: ๐จ
Southeast Asia has been a prime travel destination for decades. As such, the Christmas and New Year period fills up quickly, with people flocking to the region for beaches, dancing and sunshine. To avoid missing out on the party of your life, book your accommodation in advance! Now say it again for the people at the back! ๐
1. Koh Phangan, Thailand ๐น๐ญ
When it comes to New Year celebrations youโll cherish forever, there is no experience more quintessentially โbackpackerโ than a Full Moon Party. Paint your face with UV colours, order the dirtiest bucket you can find and get ready to dance the night away on Koh Phanganโs most famous beach, Haad Rin!
While Thailandโs Full Moon parties had humble origins, now as many as 30,000 backpackers pour onto the beach to rave it up to EDM, reggae and house tunes. The party is completely legendary and has become a rite of passage for hedonists around the world.
Although New Yearโs Eve doesnโt always coincide with the full moon, never fear. December 31st is a special date in the full moon calendar and you will be guaranteed an awesome beach party in Koh Phangan nonetheless!
2. Bali, Indonesia ๐ฎ๐ฉ
Believe in new beginnings but not hangovers? Opt out of the chaos and instead mark the upcoming year with a hearty dose of gratitude and self-reflection. Baliโs Ubud neighbourhood is the home of spirituality on the island and yoga retreats run year-round, offering a peaceful start to the year.
If a lengthy NYE meditation session is a bit low-key for you, the pumping party district of Kuta is the place to go. Home to countless beach clubs as well as nightclubs with international DJs, there is no shortage of good vibes here.
For something a little different, head to Denpasar instead. Presenting an opportunity to experience a more local side of Bali, the celebrations in Puputan Badung Square start with traditional parades and group prayers among the locals. The evening culminates with a big pyrotechnics display where attendees can wish each other a happy new year (selamat tahun baru). One thing is for sure โ this is sure to be a NYE youโll never forget.
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3. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam ๐ป๐ณ
Arguably one of the most frenetic cities in the entire world, Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), also known as Saigon, is the place to go for a street party in Southeast Asia. Come December 31st, the roads fill with revellers, both international and local, who join together for the New Year celebrations.
Streetside bars offer table service and drinks deals, ensuring that your beer stays cold and fresh all night long. If youโve been lucky enough to grab a seat, watch the mayhem unfold or join the outpouring of party animals onto the streets of District 1.
At midnight, there is an epic fireworks display which lights up the sky. If youโre on the street, get ready to hug your neighbour โ there are no strangers on NYE in Ho Chi Minh City, only friends you havenโt met yet!
โI spent NYE in Ho Chi Minh City last year….the most spectacular downtown outdoor bash I’ve ever had for NYE. So much fun!โ Dawn Perrott, South East Asia Backpacker Community Member
4. Boracay, Philippines ๐ต๐ญ
When it comes to seeing in the New Year right, what could be better than pitching up on white sands with the waves gently lapping at the shore? Introducing Boracay, the Philippineโs most popular resort island.
While the Philippines is generally a budget-friendly country, you can splurge during the holidays if you so desire. The island is home to countless swanky resorts but there are also backpacker digs for those on a shoestring.
Head to White Beach for countdown parties on the sand which culminate in the grand firework display. Many of the upscale resorts also host their own firework shows, though luckily, only their premises are exclusive, meaning the pyrotechnics can be enjoyed by anyone who looks up!
5. Bangkok, Thailand ๐น๐ญ
Thailandโs chaotic capital throbs with energy year-round and the New Year celebrations are off the scale! There are countless places to celebrate New Year in Bangkok, depending on the vibe youโre craving.
Head to the backpacker Mecca of Khao San Road for drinks and debauchery โ the beats go on for hours and the buckets flow into the early morning! For a more sophisticated affair, there are a multitude of rooftop bars which offer incredible views of the glitzy skyline.
When the clock chimes 12, there is a spectacular fireworks display over the Chao Phraya River. If youโre looking for a romantic way to see in the New Year with your other half, escape the hubbub and embark on a river cruise. A candlelit dinner and live music plus a glitzy cityscape make for a great night!
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6. Siem Reap, Cambodia ๐ฐ๐ญ
Although best known for being the home of the largest religious monument on the planet, Siem Reap is actually a party-goerโs heaven โ with an entire street dedicated to boozing it up! The aptly called โPub Streetโ stretches for 100 metres and sits at the heart of Siem Reapโs nightlife scene.
Happy hour lasts all day long and the neon lights will pull you in like a magnet. Theme nights, banging beats and beer pong tables make for an epic night out no matter which of the many bars you head to.
To be honest, every night is a party down on Pub Street so you shouldnโt expect too much out of the ordinary on New Yearโs Eve. The only difference is that there will be way more people (more chances to meet like-minded drinking buddies) and fireworks. And with beers for less than a dollar, you really canโt lose!
Also read: Places to Stay in Siem Reap, Cambodia and Top Hostels in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
7. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ๐ฒ๐พ
Although the nightlife scene in Malaysia is often overshadowed by neighbouring Thailand, there are plenty of great bars and restaurants in Kuala Lumpur, especially if you have a bit of cash to spend.
For a truly novel evening, head to Atmosphere360, the highest-revolving restaurant in the whole of Southeast Asia. From here, youโll be able to watch the action from above, all while enjoying an all-you-can-eat buffet dinner.
If swanky restaurants are not really your thing, KLCC Park is the place to go for the New Year celebrations. Live music performances go on all evening against the backdrop of the iconic Petronas Twin Towers. Donโt miss the New Year countdown which culminates in an impressive fireworks display.
8. Vang Vieng, Laos ๐ฑ๐ฆ
Laosโ premier party town is the perfect destination for New Yearโs Eve in Southeast Asia. A spiritual home for hedonists, it is cheap and fun, with a range of accommodation options to suit all budgets.
Once famous for its legendary tubing scene complete with water-world bar crawls, these have been toned down over recent years due to justified safety concerns. Despite this, the party scene in Vang Vieng is alive and well. Tubing is still on offer and alcohol is still part of the experience, however, only four bars are allowed to operate at any time and the water slides have been removed.
Spend a day floating down the Nam Song River before heading off to one of the local watering holes to count down the New Year. Youโre guaranteed to meet a range of travellers from around the world as you drink, dance and be merry!
9. Singapore
If youโre looking for some glitz and glamour, Singapore wonโt disappoint when it comes to ringing in the New Year. It may not be one the cheapest countries to travel in Southeast Asia, but fear not, even budget backpackers can find a way to celebrate in this buzzing city.
Head to the Marina Bay area to enjoy the annual countdown events, including free live music and a dazzling fireworks display. Donโt miss the impressive Spectra Light and Water Show, a 15-minute spectacular display on the waterfront.
For some other free festive cheer, check out the decorations that illuminate Orchard Road, Singaporeโs premier shopping street. Along with the twinkling lights you can enjoy festive music, pop-up stores and outdoor entertainment.
Gardens By The Bay at New Year
We wouldnโt recommend visiting Gardens By The Bay on New Yearโs Eve. The annual ticketed Christmas Wonderland event doesnโt have the best reviews. Save a visit for 2 January onwards when there will be fewer crowds and admission to the Supertrees and unmissable nightly Garden Rhapsody will be free once more!
โI’m planning to be in Singapore from [December] 29th to January 1st! There is a big show at Marina Bay and the prices aren’t actually much higher than any other time of the year!โ Emmanuelle Samson, South East Asia Backpacker Community Member
Few things are as satisfying as signing off the existing year buoyed up with hope about what the next will bring. Despite December 31st not being an inherently Asian celebration, those in Southeast Asia have adopted the festivities with unbridled enthusiasm, offering travellers of all stripes a night to remember.
No matter whether you are looking for a low-key celebration of gratitude or want to rave it up at a huge blowout, you are bound to find the perfect destination for the NYE festivities in Southeast Asia.
Where is the best place you have ever spent New Yearโs in Southeast Asia? Share it with us in the comments!
Contributors:
South East Asia Backpacker is a โtravel diary for everyoneโ. This article has been written with the help of backpackers and local experts. We would like to thankโฆ
๐ Lisa Barham | Writer at South East Asia Backpackerย
๐ Dawn Perrott | South East Asia Backpacker Community Member
๐ Emmanuelle Samson | South East Asia Backpacker Community Member
Sheree Hooker | Editor @ South East Asia Backpacker + Winging The World
Sheree is the awkward British wanderluster behind Winging The World, a blog designed to show that even the most useless of us can travel. Follow Shereeโs adventures as she blunders around the globe, falling into squat toilets, getting into cars with machete men and running away from angry peacocks. In recent years, Sheree has also taken on the role of editor at South East Asia Backpacker.
