During the Perfume Pagoda Festival (22 Feb - 16 May, Vietnam) thousands of pilgrims make the journey to the Perfume (Hương) Pagoda - Vietnam’s most revered Buddhist pilgrimage site. Travellers can visit Perfume Pagoda at any time of year, but the festival is a unique spectacle to witness.
Yen Tu Festival (26 Feb - 27 Apr, Vietnam) takes place at Yen Tu Mountain in Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam. This event begins on the 10th day of the first lunar month and lasts until the end of the third lunar month. Following the Lunar New Year celebrations, thousands of visitors flock to Yen Tu to pray for good fortune and health for their families, making it a significant spiritual pilgrimage in Vietnam.
Ching Ming (5 Apr, Hong Kong) is a day when Chinese people in Hong Kong sweep the resting places of their ancestors. It is an important ancestor worship ritual that requires families to weed graves, touch up headstone inscriptions, and make offerings of food and light incense.
Pagerwesi (8 Apr, Indonesia) celebrates Sang Yang (the creator of the universe) with grand ceremonies island wide. Pagerwesi is celebrated every 210 days based on the Balinese lunar calendar and can be interpreted as ‘iron fence’. It is a day when man should fortify the space around himself to fend off evil spirits – the continuous battle between good and evil.
Thailand's most famous water festival Songkran Festival or Thai New Year Festival (13-15 Apr, Thailand) fills the streets with water fights, music, and a vibrant atmosphere.
Choul Chnam Thmey Khmer (14-16 Apr, Cambodia) is Cambodia's New Year festival. This is a time when many Khmers will travel back to their villages and visit the pagoda as well as play traditional games and perform dances to celebrate.
Pimai Lao/Lao New Year (14-16 Apr, Laos) is Lao New Year begins at the same time each year and lasts for three days. The festival is held before the onset of the rainy season to recognize the importance of water in people’s lives.
Spring Festival (14-15 Apr, Japan) is the annual festival of the Hie Shrine in the southern half of Takayama's old town. The Takayama Festival is ranked as one of Japan's three most beautiful festivals, held twice a year in spring and autumn in the old town of Takayama and attracts large numbers of spectators. Remarks: Takayama doesn't have many accommodation properties so unless booking is made several months in advance it is hard to find a room during this period.
Tay Phuong Pagoda is famous for its 18 wooden statues of Buddha, located approximately 20 kilometers from Hanoi. Each year, a Tay Phuong Pagoda festival (17 Apr - 26 Apr, Vietnam) is held at the pagoda where villagers offer food and burn incense to pray to the Buddha.
The Phu Giay Festival (17 Apr - 27 Apr, Vietnam) located about 55 miles east from Hanoi, to join the festival, taking advantage of the traditional lull in work during the third lunar month. Traditional diversions like cock-fighting, "keo chu," and folk singing are held all throughout the festival.
The Hong Kong International Film Festival (9-20 Apr, Hong Kong) is one of Asia's most reputable platforms for filmmakers, film professionals and filmgoers to launch new works and view fresh features. On average, the festival screens over 250 titles from more than 50 countries in major cultural venues across town.
Food & Hotel Asia Expo (Date TBA, Singapore) in Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre is the largest gathering of leading F&B manufacturers and emerging brands gather at to exchange thoughts and ideas.
Halong Tourism Week (Date TBA, Vietnam) is the most spectacular celebration in Halong, captivating a large number of local and international tourists. This yearly event creates a dazzling and colorful atmosphere, with traditional cultural events, fireworks and wonderful costumes on parade.
