Traditional festivals in Laos you should know - Blog - Vietravel Asia

Traditional festivals in Laos you should know
Nghia Huynh
Traditional festivals in Laos you should know

Lao culture takes plenty of time to celebrate Buddhist holidays, political holidays and plenty of animist and minority festivals to boot. Check out the top festivals in Laos and get ready to party.


Pi Mai

Traditional festivals in Laos you should know
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Lao New Year, also called Pi Mai or Songkran, is celebrated in Laos from April 14-16. This festival is officially three days long, but it usually lasts a full week and includes huge water fights, where people get doused with water and flour in the streets by strangers. Carry an umbrella and join in the fun. Parades in cities, especially Luang Prabang and Vientiane (to a lesser extent), have people dressed in traditional masks retelling the history and folklore of Laos and Buddhism. Temples and homes are cleaned for the New Year, and the faithful make offerings. Beauty pageants, baci ceremonies and traditional music and dance round out the festivities.


Vat Phou / Wat Phou

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Along with the Champasak Cultural Landscape, the 5th century Khmer ruins of Wat Phou is the second inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List of Laos. In late January or early February the faithful flock from Laos, Cambodia and Thailand to the temple Wat Phou, meaning ‘mountain temple.’ Boun Wat Phou festivities include boat racing, cock fighting, dancing and, of course, drinking. Blended into the surrounding nature, the remains of Wat Phou are dotted all over the mountain face. Oriented toward the east, the ruins have two large reservoirs on either side of a long column-lined road, leading toward the mountains. Past the palace ruins, up a steep staircase, you’ll find the sanctuary with a modern Buddhist shrine and a natural spring considered to be sacred.


Pha That Luang

Traditional festivals in Laos you should know

Boun That Luang takes place every November, over three days around the full moon. The stupa in Vientiane is the national symbol of Laos and is said to house a piece of Buddha’s breastbone. Thousands of pilgrims gather at That Luang to give offerings to the monks who come from all over Laos. Processions, parties, and a trade show follow. Even if you don’t make it for the festival, the stupa is a sight to behold any time of year. Join the faithful and place offerings of flowers, candles and incenses at the alter or quietly stroll around the massive enclosed yard.


Lao National Day

Traditional festivals in Laos you should know

December 2 is Lao National Day, which is a celebration of the Communist party. The Pathet Lao, which translates as “the lao people”, is the name of the only political party in the country. On this day in 1975, the monarchy was abolished and the beginning of the people’s democratic republic. Citizens wear their ethnic clothing or government uniforms and attend political rallies at dawn.


Haw Khao Salaack

Traditional festivals in Laos you should know

During the full moon in September, Buddhists in Laos celebrate Haw Khao Salaack. People dress up and go to the temple with offerings for their own dead loved ones. They also bring food, candles, incense and money for the dead who have no living relatives. By appeasing the spirits and making sure they are resting peacefully, it’s more likely the spirits will watch over those still living and not cause trouble.


Source The Culture Trip


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