Chinese New Year is the most significant time for Chinese people to pay respect to their ancestors and spend time with family and friends. The New Year’s Eve dinner at home is seen as the most important meal of the year. Red envelopes containing a monetary gift are always exchanged. The 15th day of the lunar month marks the official end of the traditional New Year celebration.
The Japanese celebrate their New Year on January 1. Initially, the Japanese New Year was celebrated according to the Chinese lunar calendar, and was known as Oshogatsu or Shogatsu. About 1878, the Japanese adopted the Gregorian calendar and the first day of January became the official New Year’s Day.
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Vietnamese New Year, also known as Tet, is one of the most sacred festivals for Vietnamese people. Tet is usually celebrated between late January or early February. Tet is a time for meeting with family while also paying respect to one's ancestors. Celebrations typically last for 3 days, but can continue for as long as a week.
In Korea, the new year celebration is known as Seollal, which is a time for paying respects to ancestors and gathering with family and friends. Seollal is celebrated for three days; New Year's Eve, New Year's Day and the day after New Year's Day. Seollal typically falls between January 20 and February 21 each year and is an important time to embrace Korean cultural and culinary traditions.
The New Year usually falls in February, however, national holidays in Taiwan begin on New Year’s Eve and run until the following week. On New Year’s Eve, many people return to their family homes for a big reunion that includes a huge meal to celebrate the coming of the New Year.