🇧🇳 Brunei National Day: What It’s Like to Celebrate February 23 in Bandar Seri Begawan 😂

🇧🇳 Brunei National Day: A Celebration of Unity, Loyalty, and Heatstroke 

When we booked our trip to Brunei, we had no idea that our first day (February 23rd) coincided with their National Day celebration — not until I started planning our itinerary. It turned out to be a memorable and once-in-a-lifetime experience.

📅 What is Brunei National Day?

Brunei National Day is celebrated every February 23rd, marking the country's full independence from the United Kingdom in 1984. Since then, it has grown into a grand patriotic celebration, where flags wave proudly on buildings, the streets come alive with colors, and mosques are filled with prayers of gratitude.

Just in case you’re curious, Brunei’s full official name is "Negara Brunei Darussalam", which translates to "The Sultanate of Brunei, Abode of Peace." Fitting, right?

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🎉 Experiencing Brunei's 40th National Day Firsthand

We were lucky enough to catch the action as locals gathered for the big parade at the national stadium. The streets were buzzing with excitement, people holding flags, families walking together in traditional clothes, and volunteers handing out drinks and smiles.

👥 Meeting the Locals

After the parade, we approached a group of local teens to take a photo with them. They were a bit shy at first but agreed — and even gave us one of their Brunei flags when I asked. That small gesture meant so much, especially as travelers wanting to take part in their celebration.

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🕌 Waiting for the Sultan

With our new flag in hand, we joined the large crowd at the stadium. Everyone seemed to be waiting eagerly for one moment — to catch a glimpse of their beloved Sultan.

We roamed around the arena taking photos, but the program still hadn't started. It was scorching hot, and with no shade in sight, we finally spotted some tents and headed down the concrete stairs to sit in the shade — only to be told that tourists weren’t allowed in that area. 😅

We didn’t argue. We just moved back outside and waited. And then…

🚓 The Sultan’s convoy entered.

The excitement was instant. Crowds cheered. Security tightened. People clapped and waved. I knew at that moment — this was the highlight everyone was waiting for. The Sultan had arrived.

Unfortunately, we were too far from his majesty’s seat to actually see him. We tried to catch a glimpse, but with no luck, we eventually decided to leave.

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🥵 And Then the Real Adventure Began...

Leaving the arena turned out to be more challenging than expected.

We didn’t know where we were or how to get back to our hotel. We tried asking for directions, but the language barrier made communication difficult. Even the police weren’t much help. Hitchhiking didn’t work either — the men we asked looked at us like we were mad (which, in hindsight, maybe we were just a little).

We walked and walked... and walked. For almost three hours, under the sun, with sore feet and hungry stomachs. I was honestly ready to cry when we finally saw a bus parked on the roadside.

🚍 We approached the driver — no idea what route it was or whether it was even public transport. He didn’t speak much English but understood our desperation. He explained that the bus wasn’t leaving until late afternoon, but that we could wait inside.

Air-conditioning has never felt so heavenly. 😌

Surprisingly, the bus left shortly after, and we were finally back in the city by early evening. As we got off, fireworks exploded in the sky — possibly a signal that the celebrations were officially over. It felt like a full-circle ending to an overwhelming but rewarding day.

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📝 Travel Tips for Brunei National Day Visitors

If you’re planning to visit Brunei during their National Day, here are a few personal tips to avoid the chaos we experienced:

✅ Arrange private transportation (drop-off and pick-up) if you plan to visit the stadium.
✅ Bring water, umbrella, and snacks — it gets hot, and shade is limited.
✅ If you want to see the fireworks, stay until nighttime — just make sure you know how to get back!
✅ Learn a few basic Malay phrases — communication is key!
✅ Keep an open mind and a patient heart — things might not go according to plan, but it’s all part of the journey.

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✨ Though we didn’t see much of the parade or get a close look at the Sultan, the experience of being in Brunei during their most important celebration was unforgettable.

It’s one thing to visit a country — it’s another to witness its pride, heritage, and unity in action. 🇧🇳

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📌 Related Posts:

• 🛍️ Brunei Day 1 Itinerary: Tamu Kianggeh, Night Market & Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque
• 🏞️ Brunei Day 2 Itinerary: Royal Regalia Museum, Kampong Ayer & Tasek Lama
• 🕌 Brunei Day 3 Itinerary: Empire Hotel, Istana Nurul Iman & Jame'Asr Mosque

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📣 Have you ever traveled to a country during their national holiday? Let me know in the comments! I’d love to hear your story.