Best Places to Spend New Year’s Eve in Asia

There's nothing quite like ringing in the new year in a brand-new city. If you're considering doing something totally different this year, why not go big with a late December trip to Asia?

Some of the best places on the planet to celebrate New Year's Eve are located in Asia. But where you decide to go depends entirely on what sort of new years holiday you're looking for.

Beach parties in Goa, fireworks above Marina Bay, and the buzz of Ho Chi Minh City - here’s where to spend New Year’s Eve in Asia if you’re ready to make this year’s countdown one to remember.

Spending the New Year's holiday in Kyoto is a truly special experience and a great option if you prefer a quieter cultural celebration. New Year's, or shogatsu, is the biggest holiday in Japan. But rather than being a raucous time, it's all about gathering with family, feasting on toshikoshi soba noodles for luck and longevity, and ushering in a prosperous New Year with shrine visits and bell-ringing ceremonies.

With its 1,600 temples and 400 shrines, Kyoto offers a unique glimpse into Japan's New Year's traditions. On New Year's Eve, you can join the crowds just before midnight to witness a team of monks perform the Joya-no-kane bell-ringing ceremony at Chion-in temple. You'll have to get there early, but it's well worth the effort to participate in this tradition.

The next morning, do as the locals do and kick off New Year's Day by watching the sunrise. After that, make your way to Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine, Kamigamo Shrine, or Yasaka Shrine for the traditional Hatsu-mode, the first shrine visit of the year, where you can say a prayer for the New Year.

When it comes to spending New Year's Eve in Asia, a trip to Ho Chi Minh City is always a good time. No matter what they're celebrating, the people in this city have a way of going above and beyond.

Each New Year's Eve, you can expect revellers to catch live concerts on Nguyen Hue Walking Street, pop bottles of bubbly at rooftop bars, join the boozy street party on the infamous Bui Vien Walking Street, and watch the fireworks explode over the Saigon River.

This is a city where the parties inevitably spill out into the streets. Walk around the main tourist hub of District 1 in Downtown Ho Chi Minh City and you'll see people of all ages and all walks of life smiling, eating, drinking, and being merry. Say xin chao (hello in Vietnamese), and chances are you'll make a few new friends this New Year's Eve.

December just so happens to be a prime time to holiday on the golden beaches of Goa. Because what better way to escape the cold than by celebrating both Christmas and New Year's on the sunny and sandy shores of southwest India?

As the capital of Portuguese India during the 16th and 17th centuries, a large percentage of the Goan population is Catholic. Suffice it to say that the Christmas holiday is a very big deal here, with festivals and celebrations taking place everywhere from the city's top beaches to the historic cathedrals in Old Goa.

This is Goa, so the festivities extend through New Year's. You can expect nightlife galore on New Year's Eve. So whether you want to party the night away at the always-hopping Tito’s Lane in Baga Beach, attend a swanky New Year's gala at a family-friendly resort, set sail on a New Year's Eve dinner cruise, dance yourself silly at the multi-day HillTop Goa EDM festival, or watch an incredible fireworks displays at the beach, you'll find endless NYE options in Goa.

Pro tip: Goa gets very crowded during Christmas and New Year's, so be sure to book your flight and hotel well ahead of time.

Singapore is one of the most popular places to spend New Year's Eve in Asia, largely due to the spectacular fireworks displays that take place every year during the Singapore Marina Bay Countdown.

In years past, the event has featured a whopping 16,000 fireworks, drone shows with over 500 drones, and fantastic live performances, all taking place on the gorgeous Marina Bay. Singapore's New Year's celebration is a true bucket-list experience.

You'll also find plenty of fun-filled New Year's parties happening at Singapore's best cocktail bars, beach clubs, and rooftop restaurants. Or, if you're travelling on a budget, you'll find a handful of buzzing bars on quirky Haji Lane and endless free revelry in the streets of both Little India and Chinatown.

New Year's in Seoul is another cool experience, and that's not just because of the frigid temps. If you'd prefer to experience a cultural custom in South Korea for New Year's Eve, make your way to Bosingak Pavilion for the traditional bell-ringing ceremony, which is always attended by thousands upon thousands of onlookers.

Because of the crowds, you'll want to aim to get there at least a few hours ahead of time. The festivities begin around 11pm with shows by renowned K-pop bands and performers. The main event of the 33 bell tolls takes place at midnight.

Of course, there are tons of other reasons to travel to Seoul for New Year's. From famous fireworks displays at places like COEX and Lotte Tower to the dazzling light shows at Gwanghwamun Square and Dongdaemun Design Plaza to enjoying a traditional New Year's Day sunrise at Haneul Park Sunrise Festival, there's a lot to love about spending New Year's in Seoul.

Whether you're looking to party hard or experience Thai culture, Chiang Mai is one of the most unique places to celebrate New Year's Eve in Asia. The main gathering takes place around Tha Phae Gate, on the eastern side of the Old City. Ahead of midnight, the area transforms into one giant, family-friendly street party.

You'll find plenty of street food vendors, artisans selling handicrafts, live entertainment, and people setting off fireworks and releasing paper lanterns. Seeing hundreds of illuminated lanterns floating through the jet-black sky is one of those quintessential Thai travel moments. That being said, the NYE lantern release and willy-nilly fireworks can be a bit dangerous and a total fire hazard, so you'll want to exercise some caution.

If all of the activity around Tha Phae Gate is too much for you, retreat into the Old City, where you can visit endless temples, including the iconic Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan, and Wat Sri Suphan (Silver Temple). Depending on where you go, you'll likely encounter Buddhist monks chanting, which adds to the magical Chiang Mai NYE experience.