Sales executive Felicia Chong, 40, said she and her husband will still be packing their bags for a trip during the holiday, which falls on Jan 26, a Monday, and Jan 27.

They have been leaving town during the Chinese New Year almost every year, and will be going on a seven-day trip to Tokyo and Osaka in Japan this time. They expect to spend a total of $7,000.

Read Zureena Habib's full story in tomorrow's edition of The Sunday Times.