The Lunar New Year of the Dragon flames colorful festivities across Asian nations and communities

People watch fireworks at a temple during Lunar New Year celebrations in New Taipei city, Taiwan. - Reuters

HANOI (AP): With fireworks, feasts and red envelopes stuffed with cash for the kids, numerous Asian nations and overseas communities have welcomed Saturday the Lunar New Year.

It begins with the first new moon of the lunar calendar and ends 15 days later on the first full moon. The dates of the holiday vary slightly each year, falling between late January and mid-February as it is based on the cycles of the moon,