Vietnam Hoi An Captivates Visitors With Lantern-Lit Streets And Authentic Traditions, Securing Its Place Among The Top Lunar New Year Destinations In Asia For 2026

Vietnam Hoi An stands out as one of the most distinctive Lunar New Year destinations in 2026, offering travelers an intimate and culturally rich experience that contrasts with the grand spectacles of larger cities. With its UNESCO-listed Old Town bathed in the soft glow of lanterns, Hoi An’s Tet celebrations provide a gentler, more authentic take on the holiday, featuring cultural rituals like floating lantern releases on the Hoai River, dragon dances, and community-driven festivities. The town’s serene atmosphere and deep cultural roots make it an ideal destination for those seeking a peaceful and immersive start to the Year of the Horse.

Vietnam’s UNESCO-listed Hoi An is becoming one of Asia’s top destinations to celebrate the 2026 Lunar New Year, offering a serene and culturally immersive alternative to the region’s grand city celebrations. While major cities across Asia prepare for large-scale events, Hoi An stands out for its authentic, community-focused Tet festivities. As the Year of the Horse kicked off on February 17, travel experts are spotlighting Hoi An for its unique atmosphere, which captures the essence of Lunar New Year in a more intimate and human-scaled setting.

Ranked second among the best places in Asia to celebrate Tet, Hoi An is increasingly gaining recognition for its authenticity. Unlike the overwhelming spectacles of large parades, Hoi An’s celebrations unfold in the lantern-lit streets of its ancient Old Town. The town’s charm lies in its low-key yet vibrant festivities, offering a gentler take on Tet that contrasts with the massive city celebrations elsewhere in the region.

Visitors can enjoy a series of cultural rituals and community-led events that seamlessly integrate with daily life. On Lunar New Year’s Eve, the Hoai River comes alive with floating lantern releases, casting a soft glow over the water. Accompanying the lanterns are low-altitude fireworks, dragon and lion dances, and folk singing, including the traditional bai choi, a form of singing popular in central Vietnam. The sac bua blessing procession, a spiritual event, adds another layer of cultural richness to the night.

Hoi An’s Lunar New Year celebrations extend beyond the Old Town into the surrounding countryside, where several craft villages add their own unique flavor to the festivities. In Kim Bong, the local carpenters’ village, the Kim Bong Carpentry Ancestors’ Ceremony honors the village’s skilled woodworkers. Meanwhile, in Tra Que, the Cau Bong Festival celebrates the region’s agricultural traditions. These events enrich the holiday experience, providing deeper insight into the town’s heritage and cultural practices.

The quieter, more reflective pace of Hoi An’s celebrations offers travelers a refreshing contrast to the larger, more dramatic events taking place in other cities across Asia. While places like Singapore and Hong Kong are known for their elaborate and energetic celebrations, Hoi An’s charm lies in its ability to capture the essence of Tet in a way that feels personal and genuine.

Singapore, for example, leads the region with its Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebrations, which run from February 17 to March 18. The celebrations feature an impressive display of 60 galloping horse lanterns and an 8.8-meter golden horse centerpiece. Lion dance competitions, along with a New Year countdown at Kreta Ayer Square, contribute to the city’s vibrant festive atmosphere. However, despite the scale and spectacle, the celebrations in Singapore can feel impersonal, catering to large crowds and emphasizing entertainment over tradition.

Hong Kong ranks third for its Lunar New Year celebrations, where the Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade takes place on February 17 in Tsim Sha Tsui. This popular event showcases zodiac-themed floats, along with performances from international troupes, creating a dynamic and colorful display. But even with its extravagant floats and performances, Hong Kong’s celebrations can feel distant and commercial compared to the more intimate festivities in Hoi An.

In Guangzhou, southern China’s largest city, the Spring Festival Flower Markets are a major highlight from February 4 to 16. The markets feature over 2,600 stalls across 11 major markets, including one at the iconic Canton Tower Square. The markets are a beloved tradition, attracting both locals and tourists, yet the sheer scale of the event can sometimes detract from its cultural depth.

Seoul ranks fifth, where the city marks Seollal at Gyeongbokgung Palace from February 16 to 18. Visitors can experience traditional games, royal court music, and cultural performances that offer insight into Korea’s heritage. Although the palace celebrations are a popular attraction, they too cater to large crowds and often lack the more personal, community-oriented atmosphere that defines Hoi An’s Tet.

In Malaysia, Penang’s Kek Lok Si Temple stages its annual lighting ceremony, transforming the hilltop temple into a dazzling lantern-lit spectacle throughout the holiday period. The visual display draws a great number of visitors but, like the other large-scale events, can feel more focused on entertainment than on cultural engagement.

While these cities and their events offer impressive spectacles, Hoi An’s appeal lies in its ability to preserve tradition while embracing the spirit of the Lunar New Year. The town’s serene, lantern-lit streets and the celebration of ancient cultural rituals provide visitors with a deeper, more meaningful experience. Hoi An’s Tet festivities are not just for tourists but for the local community, making it a perfect destination for travelers who want to experience Tet in a way that feels connected to the place and its people.

Vietnam Hoi An becomes one of the most distinctive Lunar New Year destinations in 2026, offering a culturally rich and intimate celebration away from the large-scale city spectacles. Its UNESCO-listed Old Town, illuminated by lanterns and filled with traditional rituals, provides a peaceful and authentic experience for travelers seeking a unique Tet celebration.

For those seeking a culturally immersive experience that celebrates the essence of the Lunar New Year, Hoi An stands as one of the most distinctive and memorable destinations in Asia. The town’s intimate celebrations, rooted in local traditions and community spirit, offer a refreshing and authentic alternative to the grand spectacles of larger cities. In 2026, Hoi An will continue to shine as a top destination for travelers seeking an immersive and meaningful start to the Year of the Horse.

The post Vietnam Hoi An Captivates Visitors With Lantern-Lit Streets And Authentic Traditions, Securing Its Place Among The Top Lunar New Year Destinations In Asia For 2026 appeared first on Travel And Tour World.

Lufthansa Unveils Allegris Business Class Seats On Boeing 787-9, Set To Redefine Long-Haul Travel With Unmatched Luxury And Comfort

Lufthansa has unveiled its Allegris business class seats on the Boeing 787-9, marking a significant step in redefining long-haul travel with unparalleled luxury and comfort. The new seats, now available for booking following approval from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), offer passengers an elevated flying experience with innovative features such as private suites, extra-long beds, and personalized amenities. This introduction is part of Lufthansa’s €2.5 billion investment in upgrading its long-haul fleet, positioning the airline as a leader in premium travel. As the Allegris cabin becomes available on key international routes, it is set to transform how travelers experience luxury in the sky.

Lufthansa has officially opened bookings for its highly anticipated Allegris business class seats on its Boeing 787-9 aircraft. This major milestone follows the recent approval from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), making the premium seats available for travel beginning on April 15.

The FAA had initially delayed its certification of the Allegris seats after requesting additional reviews of how the seats were bolted to the cabin floor, even though European regulators had already approved the design for use on Lufthansa’s Airbus A350 aircraft. The approval process took longer than expected, but it finally cleared the way for Lufthansa to offer these new seats to its passengers.

Lufthansa first introduced the Allegris business class product in May 2024, marking a significant upgrade to its long-haul fleet as part of a €2.5 billion modernization effort. The Allegris seats were first installed on the airline’s Airbus A350s, offering passengers a more luxurious and personalized experience. The introduction of the Boeing 787-9 with Allegris cabins, however, had a delayed start. Since October 2025, Lufthansa has been flying the 787-9 aircraft with its new business class seats, but only four of the 28 seats were available for bookings. As of now, 25 out of the 28 Allegris seats are available, with the exception of three seats in the second row.

Starting April 15, passengers can book their flights on Lufthansa’s Boeing 787-9 aircraft, which will soon operate on several routes out of Frankfurt. This includes flights to popular destinations such as Austin, Rio de Janeiro, Bogotá, Cape Town, Shanghai, Hyderabad, and Hong Kong. The start of the summer season will bring more aircraft on new routes, with the Boeing 787-9 jets featuring the Allegris business class added to flights from Frankfurt to In June, flights will be available from New York JFK and Los Angeles, with Delhi joining the route schedule in July.

The Allegris cabin offers a range of seating options designed for maximum comfort and privacy. Among these are the business class suite, which features a personal wardrobe and minibar, providing a private space for relaxation. For those seeking extra room, Lufthansa offers a seat with additional space, while the privacy seat by the window ensures a more secluded environment for individual passengers. The highlight of the Allegris business class is the extra-long bed that can stretch up to 2.2 meters, making it one of the most comfortable business class seats available in the industry. These premium seating options can be reserved in advance for an additional charge, offering passengers the flexibility to choose the seat that best suits their needs.

The launch of the Allegris business class seats is part of Lufthansa’s ongoing efforts to upgrade its long-haul fleet, which also includes the acquisition of 787-9 aircraft. With these seats, Lufthansa aims to provide an exceptional level of service and comfort for its passengers. By offering a range of seating options, the airline ensures that passengers have the opportunity to select the perfect seat to enhance their travel experience. Lufthansa has positioned these new seats as part of a larger strategic goal to modernize its fleet and strengthen its position in the competitive long-haul travel market.

As part of Lufthansa’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality service, the airline has ensured that all its Boeing 787-9 aircraft will be equipped with the Allegris cabin. This will allow passengers to experience the latest in business class comfort on several key routes. Starting this summer, more routes will be serviced by the 787-9, offering a consistent product across the airline’s long-haul network.

In addition to the enhanced cabin experience, Lufthansa also places a strong emphasis on sustainability in its fleet expansion. The Boeing 787-9 is known for its fuel efficiency and reduced carbon emissions, making it a more environmentally friendly choice for long-haul flights. Lufthansa’s continued commitment to sustainability is evident in its fleet upgrades, ensuring that passengers can enjoy top-tier service while also contributing to more sustainable air travel.

Lufthansa is also expanding its fleet of Boeing 787-9 aircraft, with eight of the jets already in service at the Frankfurt hub. By the end of 2027, the airline plans to have 21 Boeing 787-9 aircraft in operation. This fleet expansion is part of Lufthansa’s broader strategy to provide passengers with a world-class travel experience while also modernizing its fleet to meet the demands of today’s travelers.

The introduction of the Allegris seats marks a significant upgrade in Lufthansa’s business class offering. With the combination of innovative seat designs, enhanced privacy, and comfort, Lufthansa’s new business class is poised to become a preferred choice for long-haul travelers. As more flights are added to Lufthansa’s network, passengers can expect an elevated experience that combines luxury with practicality, ensuring that every journey is as enjoyable as possible.

Lufthansa’s CEO has expressed excitement about the new Allegris seats, emphasizing that the approval of the majority of seats for the Boeing 787-9 is an important step in the airline’s ongoing efforts to improve its service and fleet. As Lufthansa continues to grow and enhance its long-haul offerings, the Allegris business class will play a crucial role in attracting more passengers and positioning the airline as a leader in premium air travel.

Lufthansa has unveiled its Allegris business class seats on the Boeing 787-9, set to redefine long-haul travel with unmatched luxury and comfort due to innovative design features like private suites and extra-long beds. This launch is part of the airline’s €2.5 billion fleet upgrade, offering travelers a premium flying experience.

With its continued fleet expansion and commitment to top-quality service, Lufthansa is well-positioned to remain a major player in the global aviation industry, offering a premium travel experience for passengers across its network.

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