Discovering the unique festivals in Laos will have an exciting experience while exploring the beautiful country of Laos for more complete and meaningful trip. Following are the festivals in Laos
1. That Luang Festival
As the country where Buddhism is considered the National Religion, there is almost every festival every year in Laos; In particular, the That Luang Festival is a solitary traditional festival bearing Lao culture and attracts the attention of the Lao people throughout the country and people in the Northeastern provinces of Thailand, as well as international guests. That Luang Festival takes place on the days of the 12th day of the Buddhist lunar month, which lasts one week and ends on the full moon day of the month. There are thousands of exhibits in the agricultural, industrial and handicraft sectors of the branches and localities in the country and neighboring countries.
One of the main features of the ceremony is That Luang – an exclusive traditional festival of Laos is the procession of the tower from Wat Si Muang Pagoda to That Luang. This is a temple architecture model made of spongy material, surrounded by flowers made of brilliant yellow beeswax. Nine white lotus flowers are sticked at the tip of temple, there are fringes of flowers or money around the tower meaning the same as the practice of burning houses, money … for the deceased of the Vietnamese.
Upon arriving in That Luang, the procession will carry the laypeople round before going to the back of the altar hall and receiving the gifts in a formal, serious, respectful manner. According to the custom, each family, village or group of people … can share a rice paddy together.
(Source: internet)
2. Rocket Festival (Boun Bang Fai)
May in Laos and Thailand is the month of the Boun Bang Fai Festival – the traditional raincoat festival of Laos. The festival is held on different days in different villages across the country and is scattered throughout the month.
The rainy cannonball festival in Naxone village, Pakgum district, Vientiane (Laos) is considered to be a big festival compared to other villages in Naxone village, quite near the capital Vientiane (about 50km), attracting a large number of Vientiane people and neighboring areas.
In the Vientiane capital, Lao traditional festivals have been celebrated similarly. Presently, due to the urbanization process, many houses have been built. Therefore, people in the capital join the artillery in the neighboring areas.
(Source: internet)
3. Water Festival
Traditional festival of waterfall called Lao Bunpimay festival or New Year usually takes place from April 13 to 15 annually. The first day is also the last day of the old year, people clean up, prepare the fragrant water and flowers. In the afternoon, people in the village gather in the temple to worship Buddha, pray, listen to the monks. People go to pagodas to pray for health and happiness for the whole year. After that, the Buddha will be taken to a private room for three days and opened the door so that everyone could enter the Buddha bath. The water after the water on the Buddha statue will be brought back home to work on the blessing.
(Source: internet)
4. Khao Phansa Festival
Laos is the country that considers Buddhism to be the National and official religion, so all people participate in Khao Phansa Festival. Tourists, expatriates, and even some other religions living in Laos are still affected. They also accept the influence of these activities during this festival. This unique traditional Lao festival takes place over three months and ends in mid-November. Although there are months of intolerance, the activities of Lao society are still normal. Everyone, from the countryside to the city, celebrates this ceremony and makes offerings to the temple. Purpose of sewing, safety and health, the country is a good harvest. After this ceremony, people will abstain from marrying, not drunk; the monks do not move to another temple.
(Source: internet)
5. Boat Racing Festival
According to the Lao people, after three months of vegetarianism, people have dispelled their worries to begin with the new days of life, this is the time of the boat racing festival – traditional special festival of the Lao people. The main activities of this festival are: ceremonial (including candle-making and candle-lit procession around the pagoda), drop boat lights, but the most important and exciting activity is the boat race. Boat racing is just a chance to enjoy good luck and fortune. Therefore, during these days, workers from companies and offices are also off to participate in this festival.
Before the festival, people go to the temples in the city to perform the “Tacking” ceremony. On the last day of the boat race, they gather in the Mekong River to drop lights and boats down the river to pray for happiness and good things. Traditional Boat Racing Festival is considered as a starting point for entertainment, family establishment, building houses…. in Laos. Therefore, it has great significance for people born and raised in the “Land of Million Elephants”.
Explore more attractions: Golden Buddha (Phu Salao); Li Phi falls; Si Phan Don (4000 Islands); Wat Luang; Champasak Historical Heritage museum; Bolaven Plateau; Wat Phou; Things to do in Pakse
