SPENDING CHRISTMAS IN A NEW CULTURAL SETTING IS DEFINITELY A UNIQUE, MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE. IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE HOLIDAY TRADITIONS AND CELEBRATIONS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA, WE HAVE SOME USEFUL INSIGHTS FOR YOU!
Traditional Christmas in Indonesia
As one of the countries that embrace diverse cultural practices, some areas in Indonesia observe unique Christmas traditions such as performing a Wayang Kulit Show (leather shadow puppet) in Yogyakarta which represents the birth of Jesus. In Bali, the residents decorate the city with colorful street ornaments made of bamboo called Penjors. The most recent tradition is the Lovely December Festival where they showcase cultural performances and delightful cuisine of Toraja. These are some of the traditions that travelers can enjoy immersing in during the holidays in Indonesia.
Vibrant Holiday Celebrations in Thailand
Christmas season is the time of the year where hotels and restaurants in Bangkok are at maximum occupancy. Travelers tour the city decorated with dazzling lights and vibrant Christmas displays. There are many events that take place that is enjoyed by locals and tourists alike, from popular gala buffet dinners at hotels, floating restaurants, party boats, and to nightly live concerts. In fact, last year, Thailand received 3.85 million tourists from all over the world during the holiday season!
Month-long Yuletide Season in the Philippines 
Philippines is known to celebrate the longest Christmas season. In fact, Christmas carols can be heard as early as September! Foreign and local spectators travel to the “Christmas Capital of the Philippines” – San Fernando, Pampanga, to experience the lively and colorful Giant Lantern Festival, an annual-lantern making contest parading 20 feet high giant lanterns decorated with glittering and dancing lights. There are also popular Christmas delicacies tourists can try such as bibingka (soft rice cake), puto bumbong (purple-colored rice cake), and lechon (whole-roasted skewed pig).
Festive Christmas gatherings in Vietnam
Christmas is considered a huge event in Vietnam, not only for the locals but also for foreign travelers that spend their holidays in this vibrant country. Hanoi is one of the best places to enjoy Christmas, thanks to its pleasant weather and the city’s festive atmosphere. The whole city is decorated with twinkling lights and beautiful decorations that make you feel at home. While in the city, tourists can immerse in the Vietnamese culture by watching various folk performances in Hanoi Walking Streets, enjoying music shows and parties, and trying popular street foods in the market.
If you want to experience Southeast Asia this upcoming holidays or at any time of the year, we can definitely help you!
We at RMC offer Internship and Management Training opportunities to young Hospitality professionals worldwide who want to gain a work-travel experience in Asia! Our three (3) programs – Work & Travel Asia, Hospitality Internship Asia, and Management Training Asia – are perfect for those who are seeking for quality training experience abroad!
Welcome the festive season in a different cultural setting! We still have a wide-array of Work & Travel Asia opportunities for December 2019 and January 2020. Send your CV/Resume to apply@rmcasia.org now!
For more information about our Educational Travel Programs, visit our website now at www.educationaltravelasia.org.
