As common in the region, fish and rice are staple foods,
though beef is expensive and thus less common. Due to
the predominance of the Islamic religion, the food is
halal and pork is avoided.
DAGING MASAK LADA HITAM (spicy beef cooked
until very tender with potatoes and beans)
UDANG SAMBAL SERAI BERSANTAN (Chile
prawns with coconut milk);
The strong Islamic influence means that dance
performances and music are somewhat restricted.
ADAI-ADAI is a folk song performed by only
fisherman.
JIPIN DANCE a popular dance performed by
six men and women, and backed by
traditional instruments such as the dombak
(a type of drum that is shaped like a goblet), rebana
(a type of tambourine that’s especially used in
Islamic devotional music in this area of the world)and
gambus dan biola.
BRUNEIAN WOMEN wear the baju kurung (a long
tunic over a long skirt) both at work and for
formal occasions, typically accompanied by a
headscarf (a tudung).
BRUNEIAN MEN wear the baju cara melayu (a tunic
and long pants)traditionally worn with a plaid or
floral-patterned sarong (or Malayan kilt) called
a sinjang, which extends from the waist to the
knees. Bruneian men traditionally wear a simple
black hat called a songkok or a folded scarf called
a dastar especially with ceremonial outfits.
In Brunei festivals are always
celebrated with colour, enthusiasm and happiness. Young
and old from different races come together in a spirit
of unity that they are justifiably proud of.
SULTAN’S BIRTHDAY. This holiday
celebrates the day of birth of
current Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, the
29th representative of the ruling
dynasty in Brunei.
MUHAMMAD BIRTHDAY on the 12th day of the
Islamic month of Rabi’ al-awwal, while
Shi’a Muslims mark it on the 17th of
this month. Muhammed is believed to be the last
prophet.
 ETIQUETTE
(rules of etiquette universal)

 pass items only with the right hand

 refuse food by touching the container with the
right hand, never verbally
 use a thumb, never an index finger, to point
 remove shoes whenever entering a home or public
building, especially a mosque
 shake hands gently and then gently touch the
center of one's chest with the right hand
afterward
 never address a person by name alone
 never consume items until specifically requested
to do so
 avoid public intersexual bodily contact

 It is considered disrespectful and rude to stare

into another person's eyes, particularly those of
a person who is senior to you in age or status.

 If invited to someone's home for dinner bring good

quality chocolates or fruit.

 If giving foodstuffs ensure there is no gelatine

or anything else which is not ‘halal’.

 Avoid white wrapping paper as it symbolizes death

and mourning.

 Offer gifts with the right hand only or both hands

if the item is large.

 Great the eldest person first.

 Wait to be told where to sit.

 never lose one's temper

Average meals typically consist of more than one dish
and ideally contrast flavours, textures and temperatures
within the meal using plenty of herbs, leaves, pickled
vegetables, dipping sauces, edible flowers and other
garnishes and condiments.
FISH AMOK is the most well known
traditional food of Cambodia. It is a
thick fish based curry which is also
very popular in Laos and Thailand.
patterns depend on gender.
BUGS are fried crickets and silk
worms.
The PEACOCK OF PAILIN DANCE is a courting scene
between a peacock and a peahen and it is said
that this dance brings happiness and prosperity
to the villagers.
The CARDAMOM PICKING DANCE comes from
Pursat province. The Poar (an ethnic
minority living in Cambodia) tend to
rice fields and grow trees to harvest
the saps and fruits. They also grow a
lot of Cardamom in this area.
SAMPOT.There are many variations for
the sampot, each is washed according to
social class. The typical sampot, known
also as the sarong is typically worn by
men and women of lower class.
SAMPOT CHANG KBEN (saṃbát caṅ kpin) is the
preferred choice of clothing for women of
upper and middle classes for daily wear.
Men may also wear it, but the traditional
WATER FESTIVAL (November 21-23) with its
colorful longboat races and the nighttime
display of illuminated boats.
VESAK BOCHEA .This is a single day
celebration of the three major
events in the life of Buddha which
are, Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and his passing
into nirvana. On this day, Buddhists in Cambodia pray
to Lord Buddha and donate food and clothes to the
local monks in the area.
  Women should never touch a monk or hand
anything to them; even the monk's mother may
ETIQUETTE not hug her son while he is a monk.
 If a monk is seated, you should sit also before
(rules of etiquette universal) starting a conversation. Try to sit lower.
The people in Cambodia understand that visitors may  Most Theravada monks are not allowed to eat
not be familiar with all of their customs, but by after noon — be mindful by not eating or
showing a respectful effort you will gain trust, snacking around them in the afternoon.
friendship, and have a better overall experience in  Remove shoes and hats before entering the
this exciting part of Southeast Asia. worship area — no one is exempt.
 Turn off phones and MP3 players. Remove your
 Never touch a Cambodian person on the head, headphones.
even children.
 Avoid loud or disrespectful conversation inside
 Try not to raise your feet high or show the of temples.
bottoms of them. Even putting your feet on the
 Dress modestly by wearing long pants and
seat opposite of you is a bad idea.
covering your shoulders.
 When seated on the ground, tuck your feet
 Avoid sitting higher than seated monks or
beneath you so that they do not point at
statues of Buddha.
someone. Be especially careful about pointing
your feet at images of Buddha.  Do not touch a Buddha statue, and ask for
permission before taking photos. If you do take
 Do not use your left hand to hand someone
photos, drop a small donation in the box.
something.
 Don't turn your back to statues of Buddha to
 Pointing with your index finger is considered
take a selfie!
rude. Instead, gesture with your right palm
with all the fingers straight.
 Don't demean Cambodia. Travelers often do this
without realizing. Saying something along the
lines of "the bus will be late, this is
Cambodia" or cracking jokes about outdated
infrastructure doesn't make locals feel good.
 Remove your shoes even if not told to do so by
your host.
 Remove your hat while indoors.
 Bring a small gift such as fruit, flowers, or
candy to your host; hand your gift to them with
both hands. Don't expect them to open it right
away or make a big deal.
 Let your hosts lead. Always wait for the eldest
person to sit; the same applies to eating.
 Avoid conversation about business, politics, or
war when at the table.
Indonesian cuisine reflects regional,ethnic,Chinese,
Middle Eastern,Indian, and Western influences, and
daily food quality,quantity, and diversity vary greatly
by socioeconomic class, season, and ecological
conditions.
BABI GULING a very well known traditional
food in Bali is Babi Guling. The
word babi means pig in Indonesia
while guling is rolling. So the name of this
dish reflects the way the pig is cooked.
BETUTU is a traditional food that is
cooked for many hours. It may even take
up to a day to cook it.
GOLEK AYUN-AYUN is court dances are often have
strict rules and disciplines preserved through
generations, while folk dances are
moreliberated and open to any influences.
KEBYAR DUDUK is a Balinese dance
created by I Mario and first performed
in 1925. Inspired by the development of
the quick-paced gamelan gong kebyar,
kebyar duduk is named for the seated
and half-seated positions taken by the dancers. It
does not convey a story, but is interpretative.
DASTER is a women informal home-dress
made of thin fabric and is a full body
dress. It usually has the motives
of batik patterns and is widely worn by
women inside the home in Indonesia.
BAJU KOKO also known as baju takwa, a
traditional Malay-Indonesian men Muslim shirt,
worn usually during religious occasions, such
as shalat jumat or during lebaran (Eid al-
Fitr) festival. It is usually worn with
the sarong and peci.
NYEPI, literally means “Day of Silence,
is the day of the Balinese New Year,
commemorated every Isaawarsa (Saka new
year) base on Balinese calendar,
therefore changes every year but
generally in March. On this day you will find
everything is closed in Bali as it is a day of
fasting and meditation.
This BALIEM VALLEY FESTIVAL unique
only to the Papua people, tracing
its root in the belief, held by the
various local tribes, that war is
not a just a conflict but also a symbol of
fertility and prosperity.
 The BJO DANCE usually takes place
Although restaurants in Myanmar’s cities are beginning after the conclusion of a
to cater to Western palates, there is still an abundance religious deed especially alms-
of the “real thing” to tantalize your palate with giving, donation, novitiation or
combinations of hot, sweet, sour, and salty flavors that ordination ceremonies is
are uniquely Burmese. released. As bjo music is
MOHINGA (BURMESE FISH NOODLE SOUP) monotone and constant, normally it is not
It’s not official, but if Myanmar were accompanied by dance.
to name a national dish, mohinga would
be it. Flavored with turmeric, ginger,
chili powder, garlic and lemongrass,
this fish soup is breakfast in a bowl.. The fish broth
is always served over–you guessed it–rice! In most
instances, thin, flat rice noodles.

THOKE (SALAD)The Burmese give new

meaning to the word “salad.” It’s
their version of fast food, and the
typical base is
rice in one form or another. Bits of dried shrimp and
roasted sesame seeds and peanuts give the “salad”
crunch, and lime juice, fish sauce and/or peanut oil
dress it.
LONGYI an ankle-length wrap around skirt
worn by both males and females. The longyi in
its modern form was popularized during the
British colonial period, replacing the
traditional paso worn by men and htamein worn
by women in pre-colonial times.

OU: ZI DANCE (OOH-SI) This kind of

traditional art is performed by the ou: zi
drum players, who are accompanied by an
orchestra usually composed of at least 4
instrumentalists. These 4 instruments include drum,
oboe, cymbals, and bamboo clapper player. The ou:zi
dancer plays the ou:zi drum, dances and sings at the
same time.

MYANMAR WATER FESTIVAL is the most
important amidst the Myanmar water
festivals as it marks the onset of a new
Burmese year. People get on stages
erected on the streets by Bamboos and drench each
other in the water. People splash water through
pipes from jeeps and trucks, and children enjoy
with little water pistols.
SHITTAUNG PAGODA FESTIVAL
this festival is celebrated by
the Rakhine people. You can
witness and enjoy the
traditional dances, boat rowing
competitions, and boxing competitions during this
Myanmar traditional festival.
ETIQUETTE
(rules of etiquette universal)
Myanmar etiquette is based on respect for others.
 Greetings Both hands may be used to shake hands,
and Myanmar women may prefer to simply smile and
make a slight nod. Don't kiss in public.
 Eating The right hand is used for eating, the left
for personal hygiene.
 Temples, shrines & mosques Dress conservatively at
all religious sites, ie no revealing clothes, and
legs and shoulders covered. Shoes and shocks
should be removed before entering the religious
site. Also refrain from taking photos of Buddha
statues.
 Heads and feet Don't touch people on the head and
avoid pointing your feet at people or religious
objects when sitting.
 Bargaining Gentle haggling in markets and taxis is
OK, but not in shops.
Laos’ famous fermented fish sauce, padek, has a
distinct fragrance. Insects ranging from silk
worms to ants and crickets can be found on many
menus. Raw and cooked meats from all manner of
animals are grilled and served on a stick or
sautéed and served with rice.
FER AND KOPIAK
Fer is the Lao version on Vietnamese
phở noodle soup. A rich broth with
noodles and meats, it comes with a
pile of greens and chili sauce to
spice it to taste. Kopiak is another common Lao
soup with wider, handmade chewy rice noodles, meat
and garlic.
LAAP (SOMETIMES TRANSLITERATED AS
LARB,) is Laos’ national dish.
This minced meat salad can be
made with raw or cooked beef,
pork or fish in citrus juice flavored with padek,
chilis, garlic, mint and onion. Cooked laap dishes
are listed alongside the raw ones on menus so
double check what you’re ordering! No meat seems
to be off limits for laap as duck, buffalo,
chicken or even mushrooms and tofu are available
in restaurants and roadside stands.
LAM VONG. The basic idea is a slow
dance round a circular. Each of them
will pose graceful hand gesture with
simple footsteps in the Laos music
rhythm. One notice is that you are
not allowed to touch your partner while dancing.
The men will create an inner circle while the
women will create an outer circle when they are
dancing around each other.
PHRA LAK PHRA RAM is Laotian
religious dance depicting an
epic tale of Buddhism. Through
dancing, we are told about the
story of two brothers Phra Lak
and Phra Ram (relating to
Buddhism). Phra Lak Phra Ram is usually plays in
Royal Ballet Theater in Luang Prabang, where can
be seen as the cradle of Buddhism
in Laos.
THE SINH is a traditional garment worn
by Lao women. It is a simple tube skirt
made of silk or cotton and it can
identify the women who wear it in a
various ways. Sinh have many different
textures and designs in the foot.
Lao men wear “SALONG” as the Laos
traditional costumes. “Salong” are big
pants or the peasant pants. Lao men wear
Salong to attend important events or
ceremonies.
 BOUN BANG FAI "ROCKET FESTIVAL": after tubing in Vang Vieng. Wear a sarong or
Various villages throughout the country similar to cover up.
take part in one that most boisterous  Saving face Never get into an argument with a Lao
festivals on the Lao calendar. This person. It's better to smile through any conflict.
festival dated back to pre-Buddhist
times and featuring home made rockets that are fired
into the clouds to ask for rain as well as it amidst a
great deal of raucous chanting and merry making.

BOUN HAW KHAO SALAACK (FULL MOON):

Prayers and offerings are made to
the deads at the temples around the
countries.

ETIQUETTE
(rules of etiquette universal)

The Lao people are generally very gracious hosts, but

there are some important spiritual and social
conventions to observe.

 Buddhism When visiting temples, cover up to the

knees and elbows, and remove your shoes and any
head covering when entering temple buildings. Sit
with your feet tucked behind you to avoid pointing
them at Buddha images. Women should never touch a
 monk or his belongings; step out of the way and
don't sit next to them on public transport.
 Local greeting Called the nop, the local greeting
in Laos involves putting your hands together in a
prayer-like manner. Use this when being introduced
to new Lao friends.
 Modesty Avoid wearing swimsuits or scanty clothing
when walking around towns in Laos, particularly

 BAK KUT TEH has been around in Singapore
since we were still a developing country
and deserves its recognition as a simple,
humble dish. Most of the Bak Kut Teh here
are of the pepper variety with mild use
of herbs like star anise.
The Singapore FRIED CARROT CAKE is
made with eggs, preserved radish
(chai poh) and white radish flour
cake, which resembles a ‘white
carrot’, thus giving rise to the
dish name.
Opera troupes were first formed by
amateur music clubs; the earliest
amateur music club in Singapore is
the ER WOO AMATEUR MUSIC & DRAMATIC
ASSOCIATION set up in 1912 by Teochew
businessmen, initially to promote music of the Hakkas
(Hanjuopera and Handiao music), later also Teochew
opera. A number of recordings of Hanju opera performed
by Er Woo were made in the 1920s and 1930s. Many amateur
opera troupes that performed in various dialects were
later established. These opera troupes typically perform
during festivals and national events, and may also hold
regular small-scale performances, or large-scale ones
annually or biannually.
BAJU KURUNG is the ethnic
dress of many Malays in
Singapore: a long, flowing
skirt paired with a long-
sleeved, knee-length blouse.
While traditionally designed
to be loose and airy, contemporary versions now
feature more fitted cuts that incorporate runway-
inspired trends, long with colourful patterns and
up-to-date accessories.
Men wear the BAJU MELAYU, a shirt worn over a
sarong or trousers.
THAIPUSAM Thai is a month in Tamil
calendar, and Pusam is the name of a
star. During the month of Thai,
Pusam star is at its highest point
in the sky. The festival is
celebrated during a full moon day. In Singapore,
devotees walk from Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple to
the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple. The celebration is
of two days, the eve of the day, and the day
itself. It's a festival for devotees to fulfil
their vows.
 LANTERN FESTIVAL OR THE SPRING LANTERN FESTIVAL is
the most popular festival in
SIngapore. It marks the last day
of celebration of the Chinese
New Year (15th day). During this
day, the kids carry paper
lanterns outside, lit them up
and release it in the sky. Some
paper lanterns are simple and traditional whereas
some are of different shapes and sizes. Some even
have quizzes on them for the kids to solve. It's a
magnificent sight to see several lanterns light of
the night sky.
 Never touch a person's or child's head. The head
is considered sacred.
 The foot is considered the lowest part of the
body, and is thought to be unclean. The foot
should never be used to point at someone, and you
should never show the bottom of your feet. Tapping
your foot or fidgeting your legs denotes
feebleness and lack of interest. When crossing
your legs, do so only by placing one knee over the
other.
 Raise your hand to get someone's attention. Never
signal or point at a person with the forefinger.
Do not pound your first on an open palm; this is
obscene. The forearm jerk is a rude gesture.

ETIQUETTE
(rules of etiquette universal)

 Has strict regulations which carry stiff fines,

possible jail sentences or even death. You should
never do the following: jaywalk; smoke in public
or in air-conditioned buildings (except country
clubs); enter the country with drugs; litter, or
import, manufacture, sell or use chewing gum.
 Avoid public displays of affection.
 Do not show anger or emotions or raise your voice.
Remain disciplined and in control.
 Avoid discussing religion or politics.
 Avoid jokes until you know someone well. Few jokes
will be understood or appreciated.
 Shake hands with everyone present at a business
meeting or social occasion. Shake hands again when
leaving. Your handshake should be firm.
 Singaporeans may bow slightly as they shake your
hand. Many Westerners are generally taller than
Singaporeans, so it would be polite to give a
small bow. A slight bow for Chinese or older
people is polite.
 NASI DAGANG is another fantastically
tasty dish, consisting of rice steamed
in coconut milk, fish curry and extra
ingredients such as fried shaved
coconut, solok lada, hard-boiled eggs
and vegetable pickles.
BAKUTEH (BKT)
The name literally translates as
“meat bone tea”, and, at its
simplest, consists of fatty pork
ribs simmered in a broth of herbs
and spices (including star anise,
cinnamon, cloves, dong guai, fennel seeds and
garlic) for as long as possible , i.e. days if
possible. However, additional ingredients may
include offal, varieties of mushroom, choy sum
(vegetables), and pieces tofu puffs.
The INANG beats and dance movements
are faster paced compared to the Asli
dance. It portrays the grace and
swaying movement of royal maids and
has all the qualities of a palace
performance. In olden times, the
Inang dance was performed only by ladies, with
very modest movements adhering to the strict
palace customs and protocols.
BAJU KURUNG KEDAH – worn only by Malay
women as a daily dress for married
women. it is a shorter dress with
three-quarter sleeves, so the wearer
can move around easily.

The term ASLI, meaning “original”, is

the forerunner of the four basic genres
of Malay dance. The dance movements and
BAJU MELAYU – worn by Malay
its songs can be traced back to the
men, it does not have any buttons but has a
early Malay Kingdoms in the 14th
special kind of button called a butang. The fabric
century. Its beat and rhythm is slow-
used to make a baju melayu is made from either
paced yet intricate and well defined.
nylon, satin, or silk. Along with this is a
Its dance style is graceful and elegant as it
songkok or kopiah, worn on the head. Songkok are
depicts the charming nature of Malay ladies.
generally a dark natural colour, and the kopiah is
a white colour and represents purity.

TADAU KA’AMATAN HARVEST FESTIVAL
The headquarters of Kadazan Dusun
Cultural Organisation hold ethnic
dance performances as well as
display of traditional sports like
arm-wrestling, blowpipe shooting etc. Free-flow of
Tapai and Lihing, the local rice wines adds to the
spirit and fervour of one of the most interesting
cultural festivals of Malaysia.
WESAK FESTIVAL celebration in
Malaysia gives you a chance to
witness this important event
marking the three major
milestones in Budhha’s life –
his birth, enlightenment and nirvana. Buddhists
across the country observe fasting to cleanse
themselves and also spend time meditating at the
temples all day. They also release doves and
tortoises as a symbol of liberating the soul and
absolving ones past life sins.
ETIQUETTE
(rules of etiquette universal)
 Shake hands with men at business meetings and
social events. Shake hands again when leaving.
 Nod or give a slight bow when greeting a woman or
an older person. Introduce higher ranking people
or older people first. Introduce women before men.
 Western women should greet Malay men with a nod of
their head and a smile.
 Never touch anyone on the top of the head (home of
the soul), especially a child. Avoid touching
anyone of the opposite sex. Affection is not shown
in public.
 Use your right hand to eat, pass things and touch
people. Do not pass objects with your left hand.
Do not move objects with your feet or point at
another person with your foot.
 Giving a slight bow when leaving, entering or
passing by people means, "excuse me."
 A smile or laugh could mean surprise, anger,
shock, embarrassment or happiness.
 It is impolite to beckon adults.
 Single fingers are not used for gesturing.
 Hitting your fist into a cupped hand is obscene.
 Hands in pockets signify anger.

CHICKEN ADOBO is one of the
most famous foods to try in the
Philippines, known and loved by
everyone.Adobo means “marinade”
in Spanish and this is just
that: chicken (or pork)
marinated in a mixture of soya
sauce and vinegar. Other ingredients are added
depending on whose recipe you follow.
BALUT is a developing duck embryo
boiled and eaten as a snack in the
shell and with a splash of vinegar.
This is definitely one of the most
famous foods to try in the
Philippines (and probably the
strangest).
The TINIKLING is considered by many to
be the Philippines' national dance.
The dance's movements imitate the
movement of the tikling bird as it
walks around through tall grass and
between tree branches. People perform the dance
using bamboo poles. The dance is composed of three
basic steps which include singles, doubles and
hops. It looks similar to playing jump rope,
except that the dancers perform the steps around
and between the bamboo poles, and the dance
becomes faster until someone makes a mistake and
the next set of dancers takes a turn.
The best description of the ITIK-ITIK is that the
steps mimic the way a duck walks, as
well as the way it splashes water on
its back to attract a mate. According
to popular tradition, the dance was
created by a lady named Kanang who
choreographed the steps while dancing
at a baptismal party. The other guests
copied her movements, and everyone liked the dance
so much that it has been passed along ever since.
Women's national costume. BARONG
TAGALOG is as well used by women.
But there are many much more
feminine and beautiful female
clothing. For example, mestiza
dress. It is a formal dress made
from lace and embroidered richly.
It has butterfly sleeves. And it
looks really charming. Actually, mestiza dress is
a version of baro at saya, but more sophisticated.
Baro at saya means blouse and skirt and has a lot
of variations. It is very typical for people in
the Philippines to wear baro at saya. In the past,
it used to be just a short blouse with long
sleeves and a long wrap around skirt. But today
this national costume can be very ornate and
beautiful.
 Men's national costume. BARONG TAGALOG
(a formal garment, often made from
thin fabric and richly embroidered) is
used both by men and women. It looks
like a tunic or shirt with long
sleeves and is worn over a usual
shirt. Filipino men often wear barong
tagalog with a Chinese collarless
shirt (called "camisa de Chino").
Barong tagalog can turn European-style clothing
into Filipino easily. It is ornamented or
embroidered with traditional patterns. And it can
be made from various fabrics, but mostly natural:
like pina fabric (hand-woven from pineapple leaf
fibers), jusi fabric (machine-woven from banana
silk) and banana fabric (hand-woven from banana
fiber).
filled with face-painted celebrants, indigenous
costumes and weapons, tribal dances, and loud
drumbeats.
ETIQUETTE
(rules of etiquette universal)
PHILIPPINES
 Do accept when they offer you food.
 Do greet elders by touching your forehead
to their hand
 Do greet everyone else, either with a
handshake, a hug, or a kiss on the cheek
 Don’t address significantly older people
by their first names only
 Don’t argue about money
 Do dress appropriately

SINULOG FESTIVAL
Cebu also has its own
version of the festival in
honor of the Sto. Niño. If
you find yourself attending
the Sinulog Festival, “Pit
Señor!” is a phrase you will hear a lot. It means
“Panangpit sa Señor,” a Cebuano phrase that means
to plead to the Señor Santo Niño.

ATI-ATIHAN FESTIVAL
This Sto. Niño festival
started it all. One of the
oldest religious celebrations
in the country, Ati-Atihan is
characterized by a parade
 TOM YUM GOONG (SPICY SHRIMP SOUP)
A bold, refreshing blend of
fragrant lemongrass, chilli,
galangal, lime leaves, shallots,
lime juice and fish sauce shapes
this classic soup, giving it its legendary
herbal kick. Succulent fresh prawns and straw
mushrooms lend it body.

SOM TUM (SPICY GREEN PAPAYA

SALAD)
Hailing from the Northeast
state of Isaan, this
outlandish dish is both
great divider - some can't
get enough of its bite, some can't handle it -
and greatly distinctive. Garlic, chilies, green
beans, cherry tomatoes and shredded raw papaya
get dramatically pulverized in a pestle and
mortar, so releasing a rounded sweet-sour-spicy
flavour that's not easily forgotten. Regional
variations throw peanuts, dry shrimp or salted
crab into the mix, the latter having a gut-
cleansing talent that catches many newcomers by
surprise!
KHON is the most stylised form of Thai
dance. It is performed by troupes of non-
speaking dancers, the story being told by a
chorus at the side of the stage. Choreography
and costumes are dictated by tradition, with
demons wearing coloured masks.
LAKHON features a wider range of stories
than khon. Dancers are usually female and
perform as a group rather than representing
individual characters.
 CHONG KRABEN OR CHANG KBENIS a lower-
body, wraparound cloth. It is
synonymous with the Khmer sampot. The
sampot is a long, rectangular cloth
worn around the lower body. The
traditional dress is similar to the
dhoti of South Asia. The chong kraben
resembles pants more than skirts. It
is a rectangular piece of cloth
measuring three meters long and one meter wide. It
is worn by wrapping around the waist, stretching
it away from the body, twisting the ends together
then pulling the twisted fabric between the legs
and tucking it in the back of the waist.
RAJ PATTERN refers either to a
Thai men's costume consisting
of a white Nehru-style jacket
with five buttons, a chong
kraben, knee-length socks, and
dress shoes, or to the specific
form of the jacket itself. It
was worn chiefly during the late–19th and early–
20th centuries by government officials and the
upper class in Bangkok, and nowadays is used in
select circumstances as a national costume.
WATER FESTIVAL This is the
biggest, longest and most fun
festival in Thailand…and
maybe the world! Songkran is
a three-day water fight
throughout the whole country. Wild scenes of
exuberance can be seen throughout the Kingdom,
with music, dancing, drinking and people
drenched from head to toe. Water guns, hose
pipes, buckets – in fact, anything you can get
your hands on can be used to splash people.
GHOST FESTIVAL (PHI TA
KHON)
Combining religious
traditions, local
handicrafts and fun-
loving party
atmosphere, Phi Ta Khon
is a three-day festival that’s renowned for the
colourful masks worn by thousands of locals.
The masks are ghastly, stretched faces with
phallic noses, decorated in bright, gaudy
colours.
 ETIQUETTE
(rules of etiquette universal)

THAILAND
Do:
 Remove your shoes whenever you enter someone’s
home. It’s also a good idea to check when you
enter a shop or temple to see if others have
removed their shoes.
 Wear modest, neat clothing. Since social status is
often determined by clothing, it is important to
present a well-groomed and conservative image.
 Address people by their first name. Often, the
title Khun is added before the first name. This is
similar to Mr. or Mrs., and is used for both men
and women, regardless of marital status. Family
names are typically only used in formal settings.
 Show respect for the royal family. Stop to pay
respect during the National Anthem, and avoid
making any negative comments about the king.

Don’t:
 Show someone the bottoms of your feet, or allow
your feet to be higher than the level of someone
else’s head.
 Touch a monk, especially if you are a woman. Monks
are forbidden to have any physical contact with
women, and this is strictly observed.
 Touch someone’s head, or pass something over
another person’s head.
 Show displays of affection in public. Couples
kissing or hugging in public is considered rude
and inappropriate.
 Wear short shorts, low-cut tops, or revealing
clothes. Generally, bathing suits or other
revealing attire are only appropriate on the
beach.
 CHE For dessert, try Che, a pudding made
from sticky rice and beans.
GOI CUON The famous Vietnamese
“summer rolls”: shrimp or pork
(sometimes both) with herbs, rolled up in rice paper and
served cold with a peanut dipping sauce.
The more popular
traditions of folk
music are HAT CHAU VAN
AND CA TRU, both of
which have emerged from under the repression of
the colonial government. The former is sung to
invoke spirits during religious ceremonies and
is trance-oriented, while conversely, the
latter is sung by women for the powerful and
elite men, a geisha-style of entertainment in a
way.
DRAGON/LION DANCE.The yellow and red dragon is a well-
known Chinese motif that signifies power and good
fortune. It has been tweaked and adapted into Vietnamese
culture, and is a common sight on Vietnamese festivals
such as Tet (The Vietnamese New Year) and the Mid-Autumn
festival as well as events like business openings. It is
usually accompanied by acrobatics and martial arts and
creates an atmosphere of festive merry-making.
THE AO DAI, Vietnam's traditional
dress, has a feminine version as
well. Vastly similar to its
masculine counterpart, the female
Ao Dai has one striking difference
- this silk tunic flows down to the ankles. The Ao
Dai has two major varieties - a four-part variety,
which consists of flaps in the front that women
button up, and a five-part variety, which consist
on an extra flap on the right to secure the Ao
Dai.
 The traditional Vietnamese dress for men
is known as the AO DAI. It is a long silk
tunic with a conventional looking snug
collar and is buttoned down on the left
side. The male tunic falls to the knees
and is generally worn with loose pants
underneath.
The PERFUME PAGODA
FESTIVAL is another
extremely important one.
The Perfume Pagoda is the
most famous pilgrimage
site in the country that
welcomes thousands of
pilgrims who make their way to the sacred caves
to pray for a happy, and a prosperous year
ahead. During this Vietnamese festival ,
devotees travel through a scenic gauntlet to
get to the caves. Pass through a picturesque
landscape of limestone mountains via a boat,
rice paddies, walk past historical shrines and
about hundreds of steps made of stones to
arrive at the ultimate destination.
It is a LANTERN
FESTIVAL VIETNAM
that takes place
every month,
transforming the
quaint UNESCO World
Heritage Site into
an awe-inspiring
display of paper
lanterns of all shapes, sizes, and colors.
Every restaurant, bar, shop, and business in
the Ancient Town stops using electricity and
lights up their venues with hundreds of
lanterns as well as candles. While this
festival takes place in Hoi An, the Ancient
Town area is the best place to celebrate.
ETIQUETTE
(rules of etiquette universal)
VIETNAM
 Avoid public displays of affection with a member
of the opposite sex.
 Do not touch someone's head.
 Pass items with both hands.
 Do not point with your finger - use your hand.
 Do not stand with your hands on your hips.
 Do not cross your arms on your chest.
 Do not pass anything over someone's head.
 Do not touch anyone on the shoulder.
 Do not touch a member of the opposite sex.
 Shorts should only be worn at the beach.
 Wait to be shown where to sit.
 The oldest person should sit first.
 Pass dishes with both hands.
 The most common utensils are chopsticks and a flat
spoon.
 Chopsticks should be placed on the table or a
chopstick rest after every few mouthfuls or when
breaking to drink or speak.
 People hold bowls close to their faces.
 Hold the spoon in your left hand while eating
soup.
 Meals are typically served family-style.
 Try to finish everything on your plate.
 When you are finished eating, rest your chopsticks
on top of your rice bowl.
 Cover your mouth when using a toothpick.