River Hongbao 2010 Marking The Chinese New Year

Heading in to its 24th year in 2009 as Singapores main Chinese New Year tradition, River Hongbao is once again set to bring the city to life. Starting 15 days ahead of the Chinese New Year this massive festival features a wealth of music, song and dance combined with a range of events to mark the occasion.

Come 12th February the Esplanade Waterfront Promenade and the Marina Bay Floating Platform will be emblazoned with a vibrant presentation of Chinese culture. Each year the streets are lined with traditional red Chinese lanterns, while dragons and other creatures prance in parades as music resonates through the air. Fireworks are another integral part of the festivities and light up the sky in style providing a sparklingly eye catching lightshow. Visitors will find the atmosphere during the most important festival of the year truly electric and will last till the 20th of February.

Visitors will also see an array of lanterns throughout the area of the event including some in the form of the animal of the year which for 2010 is the Tiger. Other effigies that can be seen here include the God of Fortune and the other animals from the Chinese zodiac. Musical performances that grace the festival each year include both local and international artists which in addition to traditional Chinese dance and music.

The festival offers visitors a choice of shopping and dining options through the various stalls that are located here. Items that can be purchased include artistic handicrafts straight from China and more relating to the Chinese New Year. Food Street on the other hand is filled with stalls that offer mouth watering cuisine in addition to demonstrations on how to prepare such delicacies.

Attending River Hongbao also presents an opportunity to glimpse Chinese customs and practices firsthand during the most important festival of the year.

In the new year there is now a regular on the popular modern society do traditionally red packets are also handed out to younger generation by their parents, grand parents, relatives, and even close neighbors and friends during Imlek. Nowadays giving red packets as a bonus at the year-end by employers becomes popular and Imlek parcel is also a tradition of giving to business associates or relatives.

Giving Imlek parcel to employees prior to the New Year is also a good idea. This can be either a gift or a bonus. If it is as a gift, the money should be just right for a gift. If as a bonus, you may enclose a check in the parcel gift and hand it out in an office.

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