Sharing the luck: inside Southeast Asia’s embrace of Lunar New Year
South China Morning Post
by Kolette LimFebruary 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Southeast Asia’s multicultural societies are increasingly embracing Lunar New Year, marking a shift from formal coexistence to a more integrated, lived experience of diversity. Traditionally a Chinese festival, the celebrations are now being adopted by people of various backgrounds across the region. For instance, Syazni Nabilah Che Kamarudin, a Malay-Muslim tour guide in Kuala Lumpur, has fully immersed herself in Lunar New Year festivities this year, handing out red packets (hongbao) to her Chinese friends and dressing up in traditional attire for the first time since her marriage. She highlights how the festival’s customs, such as visiting friends, enjoying food, and decorating homes, resonate with her own cultural practices during festive seasons.
The Lunar New Year is an official holiday in six Southeast Asian countries: Vietnam, Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. In these nations, the festival has evolved into a shared celebration that transcends ethnic boundaries. This year, many non-Chinese individuals have participated in traditions like tossing yusheng—a symbolic salad eaten to bring luck—and exchanging red packets as a gesture of unity and goodwill. Such practices reflect how multicultural societies are moving beyond surface-level coexistence toward deeper cultural reciprocity.
This embrace of Lunar New Year highlights the growing appreciation for diversity in the region. By celebrating together, communities are fostering stronger bonds and mutual understanding. The festival’s broad adoption also underscores the importance of cultural exchange in building inclusive societies. As Southeast Asia continues to navigate its diverse identity, such shared traditions serve as a reminder of the region’s strength in unity and its ability to celebrate differences while finding common ground.
For readers interested in global culture and intercultural relations, this trend offers insights into how multicultural societies can thrive by embracing each other’s traditions. The Lunar New Year’s growing
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Originally published on South China Morning Post on 2/24/2026