Lunar New Year, also known as Spring Festival or Chinese New Year, is a major celebration in many cultures of East and South-East Asia. This festival, rich in tradition and meaning, attracts the attention of millions of people around the world. This year, it will take place on 29 January 2025. Here’s an overview of this not-to-be-missed event.
What is the Lunar New Year?
Lunar New Year marks the start of a new year based on the lunar calendar, which is linked to the cycles of the moon rather than the solar calendar used in most countries around the world. In 2025, this celebration will take place on 29 January under the sign of the Wood Snake. This festival is an opportunity to celebrate renewal, family and prosperity.
The influence of beliefs and predictions for the coming year
In Chinese culture, the Lunar New Year is the most important event of the year. It lasts 15 days and culminates in the Lantern Festival. It’s a time of family gatherings, house cleaning and preparation, red decorations symbolising luck and prosperity, and festive meals featuring symbolic dishes. Red envelopes (hongbao) containing money are also distributed to symbolise blessings and good luck.
In addition to China, other cultures, such as Vietnamese (Tết) and Korean (Seollal), also celebrate their own version of the Lunar New Year with unique customs. For example, in Vietnam, Tết is a time of renewal and purification, while in Korea, Seollal is marked by ancestral rituals and traditional games.
2025, the Year of the Wooden Snake
Each year is associated with one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. This year is the Year of the Wood Snake. This Chinese zodiac animal is often associated with wisdom, creativity and transformation. It’s a year for reflection, planning and personal growth.
A significant impact on economic and social activities
The Lunar New Year is also a time of great mobility and a halt to business activities. In China, Vietnam and other countries, millions of people travel to see their loved ones, causing a pause in business and production.
At Eastwise, we understand the importance of this period for our teams and partners. Here are the details of our closures for this year:
- China: Closed on 25 January, reopening on 17 February 2025.
- Vietnam: Closed from 25 January to 2 February 2025.
Preparing for the after-CNY with Eastwise
The Lunar New Year is an occasion for renewal, but it also calls for meticulous organisation to minimise disruption. Whether it’s preparing your projects before the closures or getting back on track afterwards, Eastwise is at your side. Together, we anticipate your business needs to ensure optimum continuity.
Let’s use this time to celebrate the values of family, renewal and prosperity, and to plan and prepare your future projects! The whole team wishes you a successful and creative Year of the Wood Snake.
