Celebrating Lunar New Year 2026: Luxury Destinations Across Asia Welcome the Year of the Horse

Celebrating Lunar New Year 2026: Luxury Destinations Across Asia Welcome the Year of the Horse

By Hariharan U

Published on February 5, 2026

The Lunar New Year ushers in a season of renewal, joy and togetherness across Asia. In 2026, the Year of the Horse—symbolising energy, freedom and forward momentum is being celebrated with thoughtfully curated experiences at luxury hotels and resorts, blending cultural traditions with contemporary hospitality.

Beachfront Feasts and Fire Shows in Thailand

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On Koh Samui, Banyan Tree Samui hosts a festive beachfront celebration on February 17, featuring a Mongolian-Chinese feast, international barbecue, live music and a fire show under the full moon. The evening promises a vibrant blend of flavour, performance and seaside ambience.

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Meanwhile, Banyan Tree Krabi offers a Chinese New Year BBQ Night on tranquil Tubkaek Beach, pairing live music and fire performances with sweeping views of the Andaman Sea, creating a relaxed yet celebratory atmosphere.

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In Chiang Mai, Meliá Chiang Mai’s Mai Restaurant & Bar welcomes the festive week with a Thai-Chinese a la carte menu served alongside Chinese teas and panoramic city views, celebrating cross-cultural flavours from February 17–23.

Tet Traditions Come Alive in Vietnam

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Across Vietnam, Tet celebrations take centre stage. The Anam Cam Ranh and The Anam Mui Ne mark the season with ceremonial Cay Neu bamboo planting, dragon dances, family-style Tet menus, calligraphy sessions, and cultural workshops ranging from Chung cake making to traditional crafts.

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On the Cam Ranh Peninsula, Alma Resort hosts a week-long programme of Tet festivities featuring cultural performances, wellness experiences, kids’ activities and festive dining, encouraging families to reconnect against the backdrop of Long Beach.

In Da Nang, TIA Wellness Resort embraces the reflective spirit of the New Year with workshops, lantern ceremonies, beach yoga, dragon dances and cultural sharing sessions, combining mindfulness with tradition.

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Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, a heritage icon, presents a rich Tet programme featuring lion dances, puppet shows, traditional art exhibitions and hands-on workshops, celebrating Vietnam’s cultural legacy through immersive experiences.

Wellness-led celebrations continue across Fusion Resorts and Hotels, where Tet-themed dining, family activities and special stay packages blend festive cheer with rejuvenation across multiple destinations in Vietnam.

Family-Focused Festivities in Hong Kong

In Hong Kong, The Hari Hong Kong introduces its “Better Together Family Package,” offering family-friendly accommodations, creative in-room activities for children, flexible check-in privileges and curated touches designed to bring families closer during the Lunar New Year.

Timeless Luxury in Cambodia and Vietnam

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In Phnom Penh, Raffles Hotel Le Royal welcomes the Lunar New Year with a special stay package featuring exclusive privileges, dining credits and elegant Raffles-style hospitality.

Across Vietnam, Azerai Resorts celebrate Tet with understated elegance—offering yoga sessions, cultural workshops, festive dining, market excursions and family-friendly activities at Azerai Ke Ga Bay and Azerai La Residence, Hue.

As the Year of the Horse begins, these luxury destinations across Asia showcase how Lunar New Year celebrations continue to evolve—honouring heritage while creating meaningful, immersive experiences for modern travellers seeking culture, connection and renewal.


CaratLane Debuts at New York Fashion Week with Global Runway Showcase

CaratLane Debuts at New York Fashion Week with Global Runway Showcase

By Hariharan U

Published on February 19, 2026

CaratLane – A TATA Product and one of India’s leading omnichannel jewellery brands – marked a major global milestone with its first-ever international runway showcase at New York Fashion Week (NYFW), held at Chelsea Piers.

The debut positioned CaratLane on one of the world’s most influential fine jewellery platforms, underscoring its growing global ambition and ability to blend Indian craftsmanship with contemporary design aesthetics. Backed by the trust of the Tata Group, the showcase also highlighted the brand’s expanding international footprint, including its retail presence in New Jersey.

The runway featured eight curated looks from CaratLane’s celebrated collections Polki, Sol, Sandook, Eternity, Butterfly, and Peepal, crafted exclusively with natural diamonds. The Polki collection reimagined uncut diamond heritage pieces for modern wear, while Sol celebrated the radiance of sunrise with Citrines symbolising new beginnings. Sandook translated nostalgia into design through motifs inspired by marigolds and jharokhas, and Eternity highlighted timeless silhouettes in brilliant-cut diamonds.

Among the standout presentations were the iconic Butterfly collection, distinguished by its signature blue enamel, and Peepal, which combined diamonds with green alpanites set in yellow gold, inspired by the sacred peepal leaf.

Six of the looks were showcased by international models, while two were presented by Indian fashion influencers Pooja Mundhra and Anahita Bhooshan, adding cross-cultural depth and resonance to the event.

Saumen Bhaumik, Managing Director of CaratLane, said, “Our first-ever global runway showcase at New York Fashion Week is a defining milestone for CaratLane, one that affirmed how Indian art, design aesthetics, and craftsmanship can resonate powerfully on the world stage. This showcase reflected our belief that jewellery rooted in tradition yet designed for modern life can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the best in global fashion.”

With this debut, CaratLane reinforced its commitment to redefining fine jewellery for contemporary lifestyles, merging heritage, innovation, and everyday elegance while setting the stage for deeper global engagement in the years ahead.

About CaratLane

Founded in 2008 as one of India’s earliest online jewellery start-ups, CaratLane evolved into a seamless omni-channel retailer after investment from Titan in 2016. Today, backed by the Tata Group, the brand operates over 350 stores across India and internationally in New Jersey. Known for pioneering services such as CaratLane LIVE, Try at Home, and Solitaire Lounges, the brand continues to blend digital innovation with trusted craftsmanship to serve modern jewellery consumers.


New Thailand Visa Rules Allow Longer Stays and Easier Entry

New Thailand Visa Rules Allow Longer Stays and Easier Entry

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on February 17, 2026

Thailand has introduced new visa rules that allow longer stays and make entry easier for international travellers, as part of a broader push to boost tourism and support economic recovery. The updated visa policy guidelines were recognised by the Cabinet following proposals from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to Airin Phanrit, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office.

The changes confirm a set of measures that authorities have already rolled out in 2025. These include expanded visa-free access, the introduction of new visa categories, and the launch of a digital arrival system aimed at simplifying travel procedures for visitors entering Thailand.

Under the revised visa exemption scheme, passport holders from 93 countries and territories can now enter Thailand without a visa for tourism, work, or short-term business purposes. Travellers under this scheme are allowed to stay for up to 60 days as a special case, making longer visits more convenient. In addition, passport holders from 31 countries and territories can apply for a Visa on Arrival at immigration checkpoints, with authorities also considering adding eight more countries in the next phase.

To cater to changing travel and work patterns, Thailand has introduced the Destination Thailand Visa. This new category allows foreigners to stay in the country for tourism and remote work, targeting travellers who wish to work online while living in Thailand for an extended period. Alongside this, a new Non-Immigrant ED Plus visa has been launched, enabling foreigners to stay in Thailand for study or combined study-and-work purposes under specific provisions.

Authorities are also reviewing and adjusting criteria for long-stay visas, particularly for elderly travellers planning to retire in Thailand. These steps aim to make long-term stays clearer and more accessible.

As part of wider structural reforms, the government has reduced the number of Non-Immigrant visa codes from 17 to 7. This change came into effect on August 31, 2025. The electronic visa system has been updated to reflect the new structure, and relevant agencies have been informed to ensure smooth implementation.

From January 1, 2025, travellers have been able to apply for an electronic visa through all 94 Thai embassies and consulates-general worldwide using the official online portal. This move has further simplified the visa application process.

For arrivals, the Immigration Bureau has developed the TM.6 online system, also known as the Thailand Digital Arrival Card. In use since May 1, 2025, the system replaces the earlier Electronic Travel Authorization process and allows travellers to complete arrival information online, reducing paperwork and improving processing at entry points.

Through these measures, Thailand aims to simplify visa procedures, expand visa-free and visa-on-arrival access, support remote workers and students, and enhance the overall travel experience for visitors planning a trip to the country.


Year of the Horse Reunion Dinner Under the Stars at Phulay Bay Ritz Carlton Reserve, Krabi

Year of the Horse Reunion Dinner Under the Stars at Phulay Bay Ritz Carlton Reserve, Krabi

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on February 16, 2026

Year of the Horse is a time that brings families together in the spirit of gratitude, abundance, and fresh beginnings. Rooted in meaningful traditions, the season is celebrated with festive meals, symbolic rituals, and lively performances that welcome the new lunar year with hope and happiness.

Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Krabi, is preparing to mark the occasion with a refined oceanfront celebration that reflects the true essence of the festival. On 16 February, guests can gather at the Pool Lawn from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. for a special Reunion BBQ Dinner set under the stars.

The evening unfolds in a beautiful alfresco setting overlooking the ocean. A wide selection of live cooking stations will serve both hot and cold appetisers, wok-fried noodles, hearty soups, and freshly grilled specialities. The menu features jasmine tea-smoked BBQ pork ribs, whole grilled fish, crispy pork belly, flavourful side dishes, and festive desserts, offering a generous spread inspired by Chinese culinary traditions.

Adding to the festive mood, guests will enjoy a dramatic dragon dance and fire show, while a live band performs from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., creating a lively and joyful atmosphere for families and friends.

The celebrations continue on 17 February with a specially curated Chinese New Year breakfast. The morning begins with traditional prayers and meaningful rituals, followed by a vibrant lion dance, symbolising luck, strength, and prosperity. Together, these experiences set a positive and auspicious tone for the year ahead.

With the ocean as its backdrop and time-honoured traditions at its heart, the Year of the Horse celebrations at Phulay Bay promise moments of reflection, reunion, and renewal, welcoming the new lunar year in a setting filled with beauty and warmth.

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