LAOS EVENTS & FESTIVALS ATTAPUE

LAOS celebrate several annual festivals called " Boun" particularly enjoyable and beautiful aspects of the traditional Lao lifestyle . Most festivals are connected with religion and the yearly rice farming cycle; while the timing of the festivals is calculated according to the Buddhist lunar calendar.

EVENTS & FESTIVALS IN ATTAPUE

MARCH – APRIL  BOUN PHA VET

A Ceremony where donations are offered to have one’s future read from a piece of paper during the 3 day 3 night festival.

14^th 16^th APRIL BOU VAT SAKHAE TEMPLE FESTIVAL

The ancient temple of Attapeu, the sacred Buddha image of Ongsene is one of the holiest of relics.

Located at Ban Sakhae Village Xaysettha District far from Attapeu town about 23 km on the road direction to Sekong province then turn right drive on dirt road about 5 km then take boat across to a temple.

14^th  16^th APRIL BOUN PI MAI ( LAOS’ NEW YEAR)

Lao’s New Year is celebrated at the same time each year (14th 16^th APRIL) . With the 16^th in the first day of the New Year. On the 14^th, Buddha images are taken out of the temples to be cleansed with scented water by devotees and placed on special temporary alters within the compounds of “ Vats” ( temples) . Devotees gather the scented water falling off the images to take home to pour on friends and relatives, as act of cleansing and purification before entering the New Year. On the evening of the 16^th, the images are returned to their proper shrines within the temples.

Boun Pi Mai is a time for much joyous celebration, with good deeds and prayers in anticipation the New Year.

MAY –JUNE ( ROCKET FESTIVAL – BOUN BANG FAI)

During this exciting festival, giant rockets constructed out of bamboo are shot into the sky, making quite a spectacular and noisy event. Each village traditionally parades its rocket to the temple first to make offerings, before launching it into the sky.

4^th SEPTEMBER BOUN KHAO PADAP DIN ( RICE GROWING FESTIVAL DAY)

On the new moon on the 9^th lunar month, special offering are made to the deceased.

19^th SEPTEMBER BOUM KHAO SALAK ( ANCESTOR FESTIVAL DAY)

Offerings , including daily necessities such as books , pens , sugar and coffee are made to specific monks, based on a lottery system. Laypeople also give beautiful wax flower candles to the monks in order to gain merit.

19^th OCTOBER BOUN ORK PHANSA ( END OF BUDDHIST LENT)

Held on the full moon that marks the end of the rainy season, monks who were ordained for the 3 month lent period leave the vat to reunite with their families. During the evening of Van Ork Pansa, in a charming ceremony , small banana leaf boats called heua fai are launched on rivers with offerings of incense , candles and small amounts of money to bring luck and prosperity.

19^th – 20^TH OCTOBER BOAT RACING FESTIVAL ( BOUN SOUANG HEUA)

VENUE : SAMAKKIXAY DISTRICT

This festival follows Boun Ork Pansa and is celebrated throughout the province (in addition to other province in Laos). Teams from each village and each district compete with each other; racing in long boats that seat up to 20 paddlers, along the Sekong River. After Attapue town each district open its own competition between villages teams, making this festival go on for days throughout the province.

LAOS EVENTS & FESTIVALS - SEKONG

LAOS celebrate several annual festivals called " Boun" particularly enjoyable and beautiful aspects of the traditional Lao lifestyle . Most festivals are connected with religion and the yearly rice farming cycle; while the timing of the festivals is calculated according to the Buddhist lunar calendar.

EVENTS & FESTIVALS IN SEKONG

15^th -17^th FEBRUARY BOUN KHOUN KHAO OR KHOUN LAN ( SWIDDEN RICE FIELD FESTIVAL)

This is a harvest festival held at Lamam District in Sekong Province. “ Baci” ceremony is performed in order to give thanks to the land.

MARCH – APRIL BOUN PHA VET

A ceremony where donations are offered to have one’s future read from a piece of paper during the 3 day 3 night festival.

15^th -16^th APRIL BOUN PI MAI LAO (  LAO NEW YEAR)

Pi Mai Lao, celebrated during the week of 14^th 16^th April featured the Nang Sangkhan Parade and many days of festive water splashing and house warming parties. Other festivals are celebrated in villages throughout Sekong at different times of the year.

15^th 30^th MAY BOUN BANG FAI ( ROCKET FESTIVAL)

Villagers make rockets from bamboo and homemade gunpowder, dress decadently and parade their rockets noisily around the village before competing with each other to “ unleash the monsoon rains” by blasting their rockets into the sky. This festival often occurs in May before preparing the rice fields for the new growing season.

24^th MAY BOUN VISAKHA BOUCHA DAY

This festival is held during the sixth full moon of the lunar calendar for the Buddha. Candlelight processions are held in temples to mark the birth date of Buddha.

19^th – 22^ND JULY BOUN LAK MOUANG (OFFER CITY PILLAR CEREMONY ON JULY)

BUDDHIST LENT (BOUN ASALAHABOUCHA AND BOUN KHAO PANSA)

This marks the beginning of the Buddhist Lent. During the next 3 month period, monks spend most of their time in prayer and meditation and are restricted from spending nights in other temples other than their own.

4^th SEPTEMBER BOUN KHAO PADAB DIN (RICE GROWING FESTIVAL DAY)

At the Khao Padabdin ceremony day, people visit local temples to make offerings to dead ancestors as well as to share merit making.

19^th SEPTEMBER BOUN KHAO SALAK (ANCESTOR FESTIVAL DAY)

This is for offerings to be made for dead ancestor to obtain merit. Popular and exciting longboat races are held to celebrate the river. This festival is held during the tenth full moon of the lunar calendar.

19^th OCTOBER BOUN ORK PHANSA ( END OF BUDDHIST LENT)

At dawn , on the first , donation and offerings are made at temples around the city. In the evening, candlelight processions are held around the temples and hundreds of colourful floats decorated with flowers, incense and candle are set adrift down the river to give thanks to the river spirit.

3^rd DECEMBER BOUN SOUANG HEUA (BOAT RACING FESTIVAL)

VENUE: LAMAN DISTRICT                                                                                              

In Sekong, the boat racing festival is a major event and very colourful and competitive. Boat races are held on the Sekong River.

LAOS EVENTS & FESTIVALS - SALAVAN

LAOS celebrate several annual festivals called " Boun" particularly enjoyable and beautiful aspects of the traditional Lao lifestyle . Most festivals are connected with religion and the yearly rice farming cycle; while the timing of the festivals is calculated according to the Buddhist lunar calendar.

EVENTS & FESTIVALS IN SALAVAN

21^st  - 25^th  FEBRUARY BUDDHA PRINTING FOT CEREMONY FESTIVAL

VENUE : NADOOKHAO VILLAGE, LAKHONEPHENG DISTRICT

23^ND  25^TH FEBRUARY BOUN PHA KEO NAM YARD NONGSONGHONG BUDDHA STATUE CEREMONY FESTIVAL

VENUE : NABO VILLAGE , VAPI DISTRICT

25^TH FEBRUARY BOUN KHAO CHI (MAKHA BOUCHA DAY)

A special offering of sticky rice coated with eggs, roasted and offered to monks. This ceremony is associated with Maka Bousa.

22^nd JULY BOUN KHAO PHANSA (BUDDHIST LENT)

This festival held on the full moon, marks the beginning of Buddhist Lent, a 3 month period where monks are required to stay within their vat (temple) to meditate and focus on drama studies. Lao men are traditionally ordained as monks during this time.

4^th SEPTEMBER BOUN KHAO PADAP DIN (RICE GROWING FESTIVAL DAY)                 

Special offering are made to the deceased on the new moon of the 9^th lunar month.

19^th SEPTEMBER BOUM KHAO SALAK (ANCESTOR FESTIVAL DAY)

Offering including daily necessities such as books , pens, sugar and coffee are made to specific monks based on a lottery system. Laypeople also give beautiful wax flower candles to the monks in order to gain merit.

19^th – 20^th SEPTEMBER BOAT RACING FESTIVAL ( BOUN SOUANG HEUA)

The tournaments are held to give the respect to the God of River and celebrate the harvest; the biggest “ Boun Souang Heua” of Salavanh is in Salavanh District, Sedone River

19^th OCTOBER BOUN ORK PHANSA ( END OF BUDDHIST LENT)

Held on the full moon that marks the end of the rainy season, monks who were ordained for the 3 month lent period leave the vat to reunite with their families. During

29^TH  - 31^ST OCTOBER BOAT RACING FESTIVAL ( BOUN SUANG HEUA)

VENUE :  Khong Village, Khongsedone District

In this festival, citizens donate offerings to dead ancestors to gain merit. It is held on the Sedone River while a trade fair of agricultural products, local handicrafts, traditional Lao music and dance performance are organized.

LAOS EVENTS & FESTIVALS -CHAMPASAK

LAOS celebrate several annual festivals called " Boun" particularly enjoyable and beautiful aspects of the traditional Lao lifestyle . Most festivals are connected with religion and the yearly rice farming cycle; while the timing of the festivals is calculated according to the Buddhist lunar calendar.

EVENTS & FESTIVALS IN CHAMPASAK

22^nd - 25^th February (or the third lunar month of the Lao calendar) BOUN VAT PHOU ( VAT PHOU FESTIVAL)

This is the largest festival in the province and one of the largest in the entire country. This festival attracts thousands of people each year, who gather at the base of the ancient Vat Phou Temple for prayer ceremonies and to enjoy the festivities.

25^th FEBRUARY BOUN MAKA BOUCHA

This festival is held on the full moon to commemorate the speech given by the lord Buddha to 1250 enlightened monks that had had gathered spontaneously and without prior notice. In the evening , the faithful visit local temple and walk around the vat three times with candles in a ceremony known as vien tian.

25^th FEBRUARY BOUN KHAO CHI

A special offering of sticky rice is coated with eggs then roasted is given to monks. This ceremony is associated with Maka Bousa.

14^th  - 16^th APRIL LAO NEW YEAR ( BOUN PI MAI LAO)

This is the biggest celebration of the year throughout the country and is a fun event to take part in. During the New Year, people pertake in a ritual of splashing water and powder on each other in what seems to be a giant water fight.
The New Year celebration officially last 3 days, however , many children eager to start the water throwing begin celebrating early. On the second day people go on a pilgrimage from temple to temple , making offerings to each. Annual village celebrations also occur during April, not necessarily coinciding with the official New Year’s holiday. Be advised that during Pi Mai Lao most businesses and government offices are closed.

24^th MAY BOUN VISAKHA BOUSA ( VSAKHA BOUCHA DAY)

This festival celebrates the birth, enlightenment and death of the lord Buddha . It is held on the 15^th day of sixth lunar month. Beautiful candlelit processions take place in the evening.

MAY –JUNE ROCKET FESTIVAL ( BOUN BUNG FAI)

During this exciting festival, giant rocket constructed out of bamboo are sort into the sky making quite a spectacular site and a lot of loud bangs. Each village traditionally parades its rocket to the temple first, making offerings , before setting it into the sky.

22^nd JULY BOUN KHAO PHANSA ( BUDDHIST LENT)

This festival held on the full moon, marks the beginning of Buddhist lent, a three month period where monks are required to stay within their vat ( temple) to mediate and focus on drama studies. Lao men are traditionally ordained as monks during this time.

4^th SEPTEMBER BOUN KHAO PADAP DIN ( RICE GROWING FESTIVAL DAY)

Special offering are made to the deceased on the new moon on the 9^th lunar month.

19^th SEPTEMBER BOUM KHAO SALAK (ANCESTOR FESTIVAL DAY)

Offerings , including daily necessities such as books , pens , sugar and coffee are made to specific monks based on lottery system. Laypeople also give beautiful wax flower candles to the monks to gain merit.

19^th OCTOBER BOUN ORK PHANSA ( END OF BUDDHIST LENT)

Held on the full moon that marks the end of the rainy season, monks who were ordained for the 3 month lent period leave the vat to reunite with their families. During the evening of Van Ork Pansa, in a charming ceremony , small banana leaf boats called heua fai are launched on rivers with offerings of incense, candles and small amounts of money to bring luck and prosperity.

20^th-21^st OCTOBER BOAT RACING FESTIVAL ( BOUN SOAUNG HEUA)

This festival follows Boun Ork Pansa and is celebrated throughout the province ( in addition to other provinces in Laos) . Teams from each village and each district compete with each other, racing in long boats that seat up to twenty paddlers. Pakse is typically the location of the first boat races in the province and where the largest races occur between district teams.

After the Parkse races , each district opens its own competition between village teams , making this festival go on for days, throughout the province.

LAOS EVENTS & FESTIVALS -SAVANNAKHET

LAOS celebrate several annual festivals called " Boun" particularly enjoyable and beautiful aspects of the traditional Lao lifestyle . Most festivals are connected with religion and the yearly rice farming cycle; while the timing of the festivals is calculated according to the Buddhist lunar calendar.

EVENTS & FESTIVALS IN SAVANNAKHET

9^TH – 11^TH FEBRUARY , BOUN PHA THAT PHONH ( “ THAT PHON FESTIVAL”)

This festival is performed for 3 days and 3 nights. There are different exhibitions of traditional goods, sports  events , folk songs, etc. Local people will bring baked rice ball in front of stupa and made alms to the spirits  of people who built this stupa. The number of rice balls will be about 400 pieces in total. Also each family who is producing rice needs to bring raw rice and cooked food trays to monks; the monks make alms to the spirits as well. The raw rice will be around 12 kg and number of trays will reach 166.

25^th FEBRUARY ( OR THE THIRD LUNAR MONTH OF THE BUDDHIST CALENDAR)

BOUN KHAO CHI (MAKHA BOUCH DAY)

A ceremony is held at the “ Vat” ( temple ) in the morning, when special “ bread” made of sticky rice is offered. This festival is held during the third full moon of the lunar calendar.

15^th – 18^th MARCH  BOUN HEUAN HIN ( “HEUAN HIN FESTIVAL”)

The festival is held in Heuan Hin ( “ Stone House”) another important and sacred place dating back to the Khmer Empire . People organize the festival to show their respect to their ancestor. In the morning, there is a Buddhism ceremony where monks do offerings for those that built the building. So many people gather to the place from neighbouring areas and Savannakhet city. People also enjoy shopping for local products. At night, they have a traditional dance called “ lamvong” where men and women make a big circle and dance together until a song is finished.

14^th -16^th APRIL BOUN PI MAI LAO ( “ LAO NEW YEAR FESTIVAL”)

For the Lao New Year, there are festivals in all over Laos. The festival aims to say farewell to the old year and welcome the new year. In Savannakhet province, the biggest festivals are held in the Savannakhet City. One of festival activities celebrating New Year is Nangsangkhan ( Miss Lao New Year). During this, the most beautiful girl will be selected as a Miss Lao New Year. Miss Lao New Year parades around the Savannakhet city on the back of an artificial mock up of an animal. The animal is different every year, based on historical story. Some families organize “ baci” ceremonies and big arches are made by rice plants in order to show respect to the earth., sky and land spirits who facilitate the rice production.  People splash or pour fragrant water on friends and paaser by to wash bad things from their bodies. Also at temples, Buddha statues are brought outside and people come to pour water on the statues. It is said that if people pour water in 9 temples, one is able to get good luck for the year.

27^th APRIL  - 20^th MAY BOUN PHAVET  - ELEPHANT PARADE AND BOUN BANGFAI ( “ ROCKET FESTIVAL”)

BOUNPAVET festival of Kangkok village Champone district includes a traditional dance named “ Sualakhang” performed in circle. Men wear Lao traditional women’s clothes and cosmetic. In the afternoon , people take artificial elephant and horse mock ups around the city. Also in the afternoon, each village prepares rockets and a rocket competition is held. The village that launches its rocket highest in the sky will be awarded the winner. The rocket completion is held to show their appreciation to “ Payathan” , who lives in the paradise and gives people the rains needed for agricultures. The village is about 56 km from Savannakhet City. You can get there by motorbike or car in about 1 hour.

22^nd JULY ( OR THE EIGHT LUNAR MONTH OF BUDDHIST CALENDAR)

BUDDHIST LENT ( BOUN ASALAHA BOUCHA AND BOUN KHAO PANSA)

This marks the beginning of the Buddhist Lent. During the next 3 month period, monks spend most of their time in prayer and meditation and are restricted from spending nights in temples other than their own.

4^th SEPTEMBER BOUN KHAO PADAB DIN ( RICE GROWING FESTIVAL DAY)

At the Khao Padabdin ceremony day , people visit local temples to make offerings to their dead ancestors as well as to share merit making.

19^th SEPTEMBER BOUN KHAO SALAK ( ANCESTOR FESTIVAL DAY)

This allows for offerings to be made for dead ancestors to obtain merit. Popular and exciting longboat races held to celebrate the river . This festival is held during the tenth full moon of the lunar calendar.

19^th OCTOBER BOUN ORK PHANSA ( END OF BUDDHIST LENT)

On the first day at dawn, donation and offerings are made at temples around the city. In the evening, candlelight processions are held around the temples and hundreds of colourful floats decorated with flowers, incense and candles are set adrift down the river to give thanks to the river spirit.

18^th - 21^st OCTOBER BOUN SUANG HEUA ( “ BOAT RACING FESTIVAL”)

This festival is annually organized to express people’ appreciation to the Mekong River for supporting their life. The ceremonies take place at the banks of Mekong River and in each temple. Xayaphoum temple is the main temple organizing the boat racing.

On the first day, in the early morning, Buddhists gather at each temple to give alms to monks and in return the monks give blessings. Then , in the morning, people organize traditional dances like “Lao Soang “, “ Lao Therng “ and “ Pouthai” . Each group enjoys these dances with different clothes, in different dance styles.

In the evening , people gather again at the temples for candlelight procession. After the parade, some groups prepare “ Lay Huapi” , long boats made by bamboo and banana trees and put them on the river. In the boats, people put cakes , foods , flowers and many coloured candles for decoration. Also some people prepare “ Katthong” , smaller boats made by banana trees  and put candles in them. Then the boat races start. The boats from Thailand and other districts of Savannakhet race each other with the winners continuing on the next day.

3^rd -17^th DECEMBER BOUN PHA THAT ING HANG ( “ ING HANG FESTIVAL”)

The ritual ceremony is annually performed in the That Ing Hang ( “ Ing Hang Stupa “) , one of the most sacred stupa in Southern Laos.It is said there are Buddha born inside the stupa. In December , people organize a festival to Buddha born inside the stupa. In December , people organize a festival to show their respects to Buddhism and to the people who built this stupa. Many people, including the old and young, come to the festival from South and North of Laos as well as from Thailand.

People make offerings of “ Khanmarkbern”, a small green tower like offering goods made by banana leaves and flowers around the stupa. People ask nuns who are around the stupa for blessings. The nuns give blessings to people by tying cotton strings to their wrists. Local people bring forest products like honey and traditional foods as offerings.

LAOS EVENTS & FESTIVALS KHAMMOUANE

LAOS celebrate several annual festivals called " Boun" particularly enjoyable and beautiful aspects of the traditional Lao lifestyle . Most festivals are connected with religion and the yearly rice farming cycle; while the timing of the festivals is calculated according to the Buddhist lunar calendar.

EVENTS & FESTIVALS IN KHAMMOUANE

20^TH -25^TH FEBRUARY ( OR THE THIRD LUNAR MONTH OF THE LAO CALENDAR)

BOUN PHA THAT SIKHOTTABONG ( SIKHOTTABONG STUPA FESTIVAL)

During the full moon in February, the spectacular Sikhottabong festival is celebrated over several days. Sikhottabong stupa is an old architecture of the Thakhek , Khammouane and Lao People. In the full moon of the the third month, the annual rite was organized by the Khammouane people and other provinces involving people from Isarn Thailand, Nakorn Phnom and the nearby provinces to gather for stupa worshipping and entertainment. This is a special time to pay homage to one of the most sacred Buddhist stupas in the region.

MARCH APRIL BOUN PHA VET

A ceremony of offering donations to have one’s future read from a drawn piece of paper during this 3 day 3 night festival.

14^th -16^th BOUN PI MAI LAO ( LAO NEW YEAR)

Pi Mai Lao, celebrated during the week of 14^th -16^th April features the Nang Sangkhan Parade and many days of festive water splashing and house warming parties. Other festivals are celebrated in villages throughout Khammouane province at different times of the year.

15^TH 30 MAY BOUN BANG FAI ( ROCKET FESTIVAL)

Villagers make rockets from bamboo and homemade gunpowder  dress decadently and parade their rockets noisily around the village before competing with each other to “ unleash the monsoon rains”

by blasting their rockets into the sky. This festival often occurs in May before preparing the rice fields for the new growing season.

24^th MAY BOUN VISAKHA BOUCHA DAY

This festival is held during the sixth full moon of the lunar calendar. Candlelight processions are held in temples to mark the birth date of Buddha.

22^nd JULY ( OR EIGHT LUNAR MONTH OF BUDDHIST CALENDAR)

BUDDHIST LENT ( BOUN ASALAHABOUCHA AND BOUN KHAO PANSA)

This is the beginning of the Buddhist Lent . During the next 3 month period, monks spend most of their time in prayer and meditation and are restricted from spending nights in temples other than their own.

4^th SEPTEMBER BOUN KHAO PADAB DIN ( RICE GROWING FESTIVAL  DAY)

At the Khao Padabdin ceremony day , people visit local temples to make offerings to dead ancestor as well as to share merit making.

19^th SEPTEMBER BOUN KHAO SALAK ( ANCESTOR FESTIVAL DAY)

This is for offerings to be made for dead ancestor to obtain merit, while popular and exciting longboat races are held to celebrate the river . This festival is held during the tenth full moon of the lunar calendar.

19^th - 20^th OCTOBER BOUN ORK PHANSA ( END OF BUDDHIST LENT)

At dawn, on the first day, donation and offerings are made at temples around the city . In the evening, candlelight processions are held around the temples and hundreds of colourful floats decorated with flowers , incense and candles are set adrift down the river to give thanks to the river spirit.

19^th - 22th OCTOBER BOUN SOUANG HEUA ( BOAT RACING FESTIVAL)

This colourful event, usually occurring in October, is one of the first festivals after the end of Buddhist lent ( Ork Phansaa) and is the exciting start of festival season.

In Thakhek, the boat racing festival is a major event. It’s both very colourful and very competitive . Boat races are held on the Mekong River with teams from Thailand and other Lao provinces competing each year.

25^th -30^th NOVEMBER BOUN KONG KHAO OR BOUN KHAI PATOU LAU (OPENING OF THE RICE STORE)

These celebrations usually happen after harvest in November, although some villages store newly harvested rice until February and then celebrate. In this festival, various households host a progressive dinner with eating, drinking and a lot of loud music and dancing.

THE BACI CEREMONY

The Baci ceremony is performed by Lao people for many things : to welcome you or send you off from their village, make a wedding ceremony sacred , as a gesture of reconciliation or to help cure sickness.

Most baci ceremonies require a phakwaan as the centerpiece, made from folded banana leaves decorated with flowers, adorned with cotton strings and a candle on the top. Other elements of the phakwaan are Lao whisky, boiled chicken and a respected elder of the village to chant a mantra.

NATURAL DYES AND TEXTILES

Many villages here in Khammouane maintain their tradition of textile weaving. The pattern are often a mark of their cultural identity. Not only do the village women spin ,dye and weave these textiles by themselves ,but they usually grow the cotton too. Some individuals maintain the use of natural dyes collected from plants around their village. If you plan to purchase a textile, remember that buying naturally dyed pieces promote the preservation of indigenous knowledge about the collection and extraction of natural dyes and their use in the weaving process.

BASKETRY

Basket weaving is usually practice by the men of the village during the dry season. Almost all fish traps are woven from bamboo or rattan, as are sticky rice baskets, furniture and other containers.

LAOS EVENTS & FESTIVALS - BOLIKHAMXAY

LAOS celebrate several annual festivals called " Boun" particularly enjoyable and beautiful aspects of the traditional Lao lifestyle . Most festivals are connected with religion and the yearly rice farming cycle; while the timing of the festivals is calculated according to the Buddhist lunar calendar.

EVENTS & FESTIVALS IN BOLIKHAMXAY

1^ST JANUARY RED WATERMELON FESTIVAL

VENUE : THABOR VILLAGE,BOLIKHAN ‘ DISTRICT

This festival is held to support local farmers , who at this time bring their watermelons to the fair to sell directly to consumers.

11^th 15^th JANUARY ( 15^TH DAY OF 2^ND MONTH OF LUNAR CALENDAR) IN THE MIDDLE  OF JANUARY

BOUN PHA BATH PHONSAN ( PHABATH’ STUPA FESTIVAL)

VENUE : THAPHABATH DISTRICT

This is the most significant event of Bolikhamxay when they celebrate the old stupa and give respect to Buddha’s footprint . The festival consists of a Buddhist ceremony and fair.

15^th DAY OF 3^RD MONTH OF LUNAR CALENDAR ( IN THE MIDDLE OF FEBRUARYo

BOUN VAT DAN’ FESTIVAL

This is the annual Buddhist ceremony of “ Dan Soung” Temple, or simply called “ Vat Dan”  - a significant temple in Pakxan District. 

25^th FEBRUARY ( OR THE THIRD LUNAR MONTH OF THE BUDDHIST CALENDAR)

BOUN KHAO CHI ( MAKHA BOUCHA DAY)

A ceremony is held at the “ Vat” ( temple ) in the morning, when special “ bread” made of sticky rice is offered. This festival is held during the third full moon of the lunar calendar.

5^th 25^th MARCH BOUN PHA VET

VENUE : NATIONWIDE

A ceremony of offering donations in order to have one’s future read during the 3 day 3 night festival.

14^th 16^th APRIL LAO’S NEW YEAR “ BOUN PI MAI LAO”

LAO’S NEW YEAR is celebrated at the same time each year (14th -16^th April ) with the 16^th marking the first day of the New Year. On the 14^th, Buddha images are taken out of the temples to be cleansed with scented water by devotees and placed on special temporary alters within the compounds of “Vats” ( temples ). Devotees gather the scented water falling off the images to take home, using it to pour on friends and relatives as act of cleansing and purification before entering the New Year. On the evening of the 16^th, the images are returned to proper shrines within the temples.

11^th – 29^th MAY BOUN BANG FAU ( ROCKET FESTIVAL)

A festival to beg  for rain from “ Pha Ya Thaen” the Prime God and to celebrate the beginning of the rice farming season.

There are many “ Boun Bang Fai” events in many part of Bolikhamxay , but the biggest one is in “ Kuai” village , in Pakxan District.

24^th MAY BOUN VISAKHA BOUCHA DAY

This festival is held during the sixth full moon of the lunar calendar. Candlelight processions are held in temples to mark the birthdate of Buddha.

22^nd JULY ( OR THE EIGHT LUNAR MONTH OF BUDDHIST CALENDAR)

BUDDHIST LENT BOUN ASALAHABOUCHA AND BOUN KHAO PANSA)

This is at beginning of the Buddhist Lent . During the next three month period, monks spend most of their time in prayer and meditation and are restricted from spending nights in other temples other than their own.

4^TH SEPTEMBER BOUN KHAO PADAB DIN ( RICE GROWING FESTIVAL DAY)

At the Khao Padabdinh ceremony day, people visit local temples to make offerings to dead ancestor , as well as to share merit making.

19^th SEPTEMBER BOUN KHAO SALAK ( ANCESTOR FESTIVAL DAY)

This allows for offerings to be made for dead ancestors to obtain merit. Exciting longboat races are held to celebrate the river. This festival is held during the tenth full moon of the lunar calendar.

19^th – 20^TH OCTOBER BOUN ORK PHANSA AND BOAT RACING FESTIVAL

At dawn  on the first day, donation and offerings are made at temples around the city . In the evening , candlelight processions are held around the temples while hundreds of colourful floats decorated with flowers ,incense and candles are set adrift down the river to give thanks to the river spirit.

19^th OCTOBER NAGA ROCKET FESTIVAL ( THAPHABATH DISTRICT)

The fireballs coming out from the water’s surface can be seen once a year on the last night of the Lao Buddhist Lent. The Naga Rockets can be spoted where the Nam Ngum and the Mekong river meet in Thaprabath District, Bolikhamxay Province, as well as in Pak Ngum District, 60 km east of Vientiane Capital.

15^th day of 11 month of lunar calendar ( in the middle of October)

BOUN SOUANG HEUA ( BOAT RACING FESTIVAL)

Tournaments are held to pay respect to the God of River and celebrate the harvest ; the biggest “ Boun Vuang Heua” of Bolikhamxay is in Pakxan District , where NamXan River meets Mekong River.

IN THE MIDDLE OF DECEMBER

BOUN KIN CHIENG ( HMONG NEW YEAR FESTIVAL)

VENUE : PHA MUANG VILLAGE , BOLIKHAN DISTRICT , “ KOR HAI ‘- “NA PAE” VILLAGE, KHAMKEUT DISTRICT , “ THONGNAMY “ VILLAGE , PAKKADING DISTRICT.

The New Year of “ Hmong Tribe “ includes many exciting traditional activities.

LAOS EVENTS & FESTIVALS - VIENTIANE CAPITAL

LAOS celebrate several annual festivals called " Boun" particularly enjoyable and beautiful aspects of the traditional Lao lifestyle . Most festivals are connected with religion and the yearly rice farming cycle; while the timing of the festivals is calculated according to the Buddhist lunar calendar.

EVENTS & FESTIVALS IN VIENTIANE CAPITAL

25^TH FEBRUARY ( OR THE THIRD LUNAR MONTH OF THE BUDDHIST CALENDAR)

BOUN KHAO CHI ( MAKHABOUCHA)

A ceremony is held at the “ Vat “ ( temple) in the morning , when special “ bread” made of sticky rice is offered. This festival is held during the third full moon of the lunar calendar.

5^th – 25^th MARCH BOUN PHA VET

BOUN PHA VET

A ceremony is held at the “ Vat “ ( temple ) in the morning, when special “ bread” made of sticky rice is offered . This festival is held during the third full moon of the lunar calendar.

5^th -25^th MARCH BOUN PHA VET

A ceremony of offering donations in order to have one’s future read during the 3 day and 3 night festival.

14^th -16^th April LAO’S NEW YEAR “ BOUN PI MAI LAO”

Lao’s New Year is celebrated at the same time each year ( 14^th  16^th  April) with the 16^th marking the first day of the New Year. On the 14^th , Buddha images are taken out of the temples to be cleansed with scented water by devotees and placed on special temporary alters within falling off the images, to take home and use it pour on friends and relatives, as an act of cleansing and purification before entering the New Year. On the evening of the 16^th , the images are returned to their proper shrines within the temples.

9^th  20^th MAY BOUN BANG FAI ( ROCKET FESTIVAL)

VENUE : NAXONE VILLAGE PARK NGUEM DISTRICT AND NATIONWIDE

The festival is a call for rain and a celebration of fertility. In the afternoon, people gather in the fields on the outskirts of villages and towns to launch self-made firework rockets. Different communities compete for the best decorated and the highest travelling rocket. Men disguised as women perform burlesque acts using wooden phalli in order to anger the gods. As revenge, the gods are expected to send thunderstorms.

24^th MAY BOUN VISAKHA BOUCHA DAY

This festival is held during the sixth full moon of the lunar calendar. Candlelight processions are held in temples to mark the birth date of Buddha.

22^nd JULY ( OR EIGHT LUNAR MONTH OF BUDDHIST CALENDAR)

BUDDHIST LENT BOUN ASALAHABOUCHA AND BOUN KHAO PANSA)

This is held at the beginning of the Buddhist Lent . During the next 3 month period, monks spend most of their time in prayer and meditation and are restricted from spending nights in temples other than their own.

4^th SEPTEMBER BOUN KHAO PADAB DIN

At the Khao Padabdin ceremony day, people visit local temples to make offerings to their dead ancestor, as well as to share in merit making ceremonies.

19^th SEPTEMBER BOUN KHAO SALAK ( ANCESTOR FESTIVAL DAY)

This is for offerings to be made for dead ancestors to obtain merit. Additionally, exciting long boat racing competitions are held to celebrate the river. This festival  is held during the tenth full moon of the lunar calendar.

19^th -20^th OCTOBER BOUN ORK PHANSA AND BOAT RACING FESTIVAL

VENUE : VIENTIANCE CAPITAL

At dawn, on the first day of this festival, donation and offerings are made at temples around the city. In the evening, candlelight processions are held around the temples while hundreds of colourful floats decorated with flowers, incense and candles are set adrift down the Mekong river giving thanks to the river spirit. The next day, a popular and exciting boat race is held on the Mekong River in front Vat Chan temple riverside.

11^th -17^th NOVEMBER BOUN THAT LUANG FESTIVAL AND TRADE FAIR IN VIENTIANE CAPITAL

This religious festival is held in and around That Luang Stupa, the National Symbol of Laos. It is a 3 day religious festival celebrated a full moon in November . It begins with pre dawn gathering of 10 thousands of pilgrims from Laos and Thailand at That Luang who listen to prayers and sermons chanted by hundreds of monks representing all the Lao wats. The festival ends with a huge fireworks display.

OCTOBER  NOVEMBER HANDICRAFT FESTIVAL

VENUE : ITECC, VIENTIANCE CAPITAL

Over 370 products have reaffirmed their participation at the International Trade Exhibition and Convention Centre( ITECC) . Events include display of silk, cotton, rattan ,wood, silver and pottery products . There will also be a traditional Lao food demonstration, handicraft contest and fashion show of both Lao clothes and Japan Kimomo.

2^nd DECEMBER LAO NATIONAL DAY

VENUE : NATIONWIDE

LAOS EVENTS & FESTIVALS - VIENTIANE PROVINCE

LAOS celebrate several annual festivals called " Boun" particularly enjoyable and beautiful aspects of the traditional Lao lifestyle . Most festivals are connected with religion and the yearly rice farming cycle; while the timing of the festivals is calculated according to the Buddhist lunar calendar.

EVENTS & FESTIVALS IN VIENTIANE PROVINCE

25^TH FEBRUARY ( OR THE THIRD LUNAR MONTH OF THE BUDDHIST CALENDAR)

 BOUN KHAO CHI ( MAKHA BOUCHA DAY)

A ceremony is held at the “ Vat” (temple ) in the morning, when special “ bread” made of sticky rice is offered. This festival is held during the third full moon of the lunar calendar.

23^rd -25^th FEBRUARY ( OR THE THIRD LUNAR MONTH OF THE  Buddhist CALENDAR)

Doneko Stupa is located in Nathong Village, Phonhong District . It is the historic and culturally rich tourist site. It was built over 500 years ago. Their famous attraction is the big rocket which is worshipped and respected by local people. Annually, they celebrate the Donekeo Stupa during this 3 day and 3 night festival in mid February.

23^rd -25^th FEBRUARY 9 OR THE THIRD LUNAR MONTH OF THE BUDDHIST CALENDAR)

BOUN PHA THAT MALAR ( MALAR STUPA FESTIVAL)

Pha That Malar Stupa is located in Nakhong village within Thoulakhom district . It is a beautiful stupa built in the same era that King Saysetthathilath  built  the That Luang stupa. In that time Phuan ethnicities had brought the materials for sharing the construction of the That Luang Stupa, but unable to reach in time because the way was too far. Upon realizing that That  luang had been already completed, they had built the stupa to the left of Nam Ngum riverside before returning home. They called this stupa, Malar Stupa which means “ come late “. They always celebrate the Malar Stupa during this 3 day and 3 night festival in mid February.

5^th – 25^th MARCH  BOUN PHA VET

A ceremony for offering donations in order to have one ‘s future read during the 3 day and 3 night festival.

14^th -16^th APRIL , LAO’S NEW YEAR “ BOUN PI MAI LAO “

VENUE : VANGVIENG DISTRICT

Boun Pimai New Year Festival begins in mid April and lasts for 3 days .Held before the onset of the rainy season, it recognizes the importance of water in people’s lives. It’s also purification festival during which Buddha images in the household and the temples are ritually cleaned with sacred water. People then pour or splash the water from cleaning ceremonies onto each other to bring them luck for the coming year; it is also the time when the “ Miss New Year Beauty Contest” is shown.

14^th -16^th APRIL BOUN BANG FAI ( ROCKET FESTIVAL)

VENUE : PHON MEE VILLAGE, VIENGKHAM DISTRICT

The rocket festival in Vietiance province is an exciting , noisy and colourful festival. It is an event that is meaningful and important within the region of people from Vientiance Province, as well as throughout the country. It held at the end of April until Mid May during the hot season. The purpose of the festival  to ask for rain from the sky gods; the rain is necessary to help the rice and other crops to grow. Villagers send rockets up to the sky gods, so they will provide the rains.

24^th MAY BOUN VISAKHA BOUCHA DAY

This festival is held for Buddha during the sixth full moon of the lunar calendar. Candlelight processions are held in temples to mark the birth of Buddha.

22^ND JULY ( OR THE EIGHT LUNAR MONTH OF BUDDHIST CALENDAR)

This marks the beginning of the Buddhist Lent. During the next 3 month period, monks spend most of their time in prayer and meditation and are restricted from spending nights in temples other than their own.  

4^th SEPTEMBER BOUN KHAO PADAB DIN AND BOAT RACING FESTIVAL

VENUE : THOULAKHOM DISTRICT

At the Khao Padabdin ceremony day , people visit local temples to make offerings to dead ancestors , as well as to share merit making . They also hold boat racing competitions in the same day on the Nguem River.

19^th SEPTEMBER  ( ANCESTOR FESTIVAL DAY) BOUN KHAO SALAK

This is for offerings to be made for dead ancestors to obtain merit. Additionally, exciting longboat racing competitions are held to celebrate the river. This festival  is held during the tenth full moon of the lunar calendar.

19^TH -20^TH OCTOBER BOUN ORK PHANSA ( END OF BUDHIST LENT)

At dawn on the first day, donation and offerings are made at temples around the city. In the evening , candlelight processions are held around the temples and hundreds of colourful floats decorated with flowers , incense and candles are set adrift down the river giving thanks to the river spirit.

27^th – 30OCTOBER BOUN SOUANG HEUA ( BOAT RACING FESTIVAL)

VENUE : BAN KUEN VILLAGE, THOULAKHOM DISTRICT

Opening the season of Boat Racing Festival , the people who live along the Nam Ngum riverside hold Boun Souang Heua. The festival is exciting , colourful and noisy because other villages join in the competition with their own boats. There are 2 types of boat used , the “ Customs Boat’ and the “ Formula Boat”, as well as male and female teams . Villages have boat displays , competition and also practices before attending the national boat racing competition at the Tha Vat Chanh Temple riverside area in Vietntiane. It is held during the Boun Ork Phanh Sa ( End of Buddhist Lent Festival ) every year. They will repeat the festival again for closing the season.

25^th DECEMBER – 15^TH JANUARY BOUN KIN CHIENG ( HMONG ETHNIC’S NEW YEAR)

Boun Kin Jieng or Hmong ethnic’s new year festival is held at the end of December to mid January every year, lasting about one month. There are many activities within this festival including: singing, Bull hitting, dancing, trade exhibition and food arrangement. One important activity that cannot be left out is Mark Khone Throwing ( Mark Khon is similar to a tennis ball); the purpose of this activity is to demonstrate love for each other Young boys and girls wear the unique clothes of Hmong people during this time – a highlight of the festival.

LAOS EVENTS & FESTIVALS - XIENG KHOUANG

LAOS celebrate several annual festivals called " Boun" particularly enjoyable and beautiful aspects of the traditional Lao lifestyle . Most festivals are connected with religion and the yearly rice farming cycle; while the timing of the festivals is calculated according to the Buddhist lunar calendar.

EVENTS & FESTIVALS IN XIENG KHOUANG

KUD CHIN & TET VIET OR ( CHINESE & VIETNAMESE NEW YEAR)

JANAURY –FEBRUARY

CHINESE AND VIETNAMESE LUNAR NEW YEAR is celebrated with parties , fireworks and merit making at temples .Chinese and Vietnamese businesses usually close for 3 days.

14^TH – 16^TH APRIL  LAO NEW YEAR( BOUN PI MAI LAO)

During the week of 14^th -16^th in APRIL, the whole country celebrates, Buddha images are cleansed with sacred water and in the temples , offerings of fruit  and flowers are made. People take to the streets splashing water on one another and having parties everywhere . In Xieng Khouang, boat races take place at the Supanouvong Lake some years. Be advised that during Pi Mai Lao most businesses and government offices are closed.

28^th APRIL – 20^TH MAY ROCKET FESTIVAL ( BOUN BANG FAI)

Boun Bang Fai is a rainmaking and fertility festival that takes place just before the rainy season. Villagers make rockets from bamboo and homemade gunpowder and parade their colourful rockets noisily around the village before they are shot into the sky to “ fertilize” the clouds and bring rain, which in turn , feeds the rivers and fields.

22^nd JULY BUDDHIST LENT ( BOUN KHAO PANSA)

This festival, held on the full moon , marks the beginning of Buddhist lent, a 3 month period where monks are required to stay within their temple to pray and meditate. Lao men are traditionally ordained as monks during this time.

4^th SEPTEMBER BOUN KHAO PADAP DIN

Special offerings are made to the deceased on the new moon of the 9^th lunar month; this ceremony is an offering of the Ancestors’ Spirits . It is a tradition that at this time of the year those spirits are believed to have been released from the “ plain of hell” to receive offerings.

19^th OCTOBER END OF BUDDHIST LENT ( BOUN ORK PANSA)

Held on the full moon, this festival celebrates the end of Buddhist lent. In the evening small banana leaf boats called heua fai are launched onto the river and lake; they are filled with colourful incense, flowers a, candles and a small amount of money to bring luck and prosperity.

25^th DECEMBER -15^TH JANUARY  HMONG NEW YEAR ( BOUN KINCHIENG)

Hmong New Year, Xieng , Khounag’s most colourful festival attract crowds of people from around the province, as well as Hmong from overseas. The festival is celebrated in December , starting from the 15^th day of the ascending moon to give thanks to ancestors and spirits at the end of the annual agricultural cycle. Traditionally it lasts 10 days, bringing people together from many villages and it is here that young people typically find a husband and a wife. The celebrations involve colourful displays of traditional Hmong instruments such as the teun –flute , the Hmong Khaen and leaf blowing. Other festivities include the Makkhon ( cotton ball ) throwing ceremony as part of a charming courting ritual, along with crossbow competitions and traditional games such as bull fighting and top spinning.

Khmu New Year is celebrated within the Khmu communities in late December following the annual rice harvest.

THE BACI CEREMONY

Spiritualism and ritualistic practices are important to most Lao people. The Baci is an ancient pre Buddhist ritual traditionally conducted by Tai speakers. The Baci is the most popular Lao traditional ceremony celebrated at special events, whether a marriage, a homecoming, a welcome, a birth or even to help cure sickness. It involves the ritualistic tying of cotton threads to ensure blessings of the spirits on specific persons, activities, or places. It is an important gesture of reconciliation and is believed to restore the natural order of things.

LAOS EVENT & FESTIVALS - HOUAPHANH

LAOS celebrate several annual festivals called " Boun" particularly enjoyable and beautiful aspects of the traditional Lao lifestyle . Most festivals are connected with religion and the yearly rice farming cycle; while the timing of the festivals is calculated according to the Buddhist lunar calendar.

EVENTS & FESTIVALS IN HOUAPHANH

14^TH -16^TH APRIL LAO NEW YEAR (BOUN PI MAI LAO)

Lao New Year ( Pi Mai Lao ) is a national festival that lasts for 3 days from 14^th-16^th  April . 14^th April is the last day of the old year. Traditionally on this day, houses and villages are properly cleaned; water and flowers are prepared for use during ceremony. The second day of t or the festival is the “ day of no year”, a day that  falls in neither in the old year or the New Year. The last day of the festival marks the start of the New Year.

In addition to cleaning their homes ( with lots of water) people go to the temple by using the fragrant water with flowers to cleanse Buddha images, monks and splashing friends and passers –by.

The people celebrate by organizing baci ceremonies, parties with lots of dancing and singing visiting local attractions such as Saleuy Waterfall , Namnua waterfall and Viengxai district. Some districts, especially those a long Nam Ma River, have their annual boat races coincide will the New Year celebration.

SEPTEMBER  ETHNIC MONORITY FESTIVAL

VENUE : VIENGXAI DISTRICT

The annual Viengxai ethnic minority festival is held to show case the ethnic diversity of Houaphanh Province, especially around Viengxai . It is home to 27 different ethnic groups , including Mien Yao ,Hmong and Tai Daeng. It takes place in December and includes a beauty contest, a dance performance , folk songs, traditional songs, traditional food, a sports competition, a market fair , ethnic textiles fashion show, a bamboo handicraft showcase and religious ceremonies. If you are visiting Houaphanh Province, you should not miss Viengxai amidst its very beautiful limestone karst landscape, caves and fresh air.

25^TH DECEMBER – 15^TH JANUARY HMONG NEW YEAR ( BOUN KINCHIENG)

The Hmong New Year celebration features colourful displays of traditional costumes made from green , red and white silk , along with ornate  silver jewelry. Music  traditional Hmong instrument such as the teun –flute , Hmong style khene pipe and leaf blowing ceremony, spinning top races and crossbow demonstrations.

The Hmong people will celebrate their New Year on the village yards or in the rice fields. You can join with them along the road to Viengxai, Xamtai and the 3 districts, following Nam Mar River.

LAOS EVENTS & FESTIVALS -LUANG PRABANG

LAOS celebrate several annual festivals called " Boun" particularly enjoyable and beautiful aspects of the traditional Lao lifestyle . Most festivals are connected with religion and the yearly rice farming cycle; while the timing of the festivals is calculated according to the Buddhist lunar calendar.

EVENTS & FESTIVALS IN LUANG PRABANG

25^TH FEBRUARY BOUN KHAO CHI ( MAKHA BOUCHA DAY)

A ceremony is held at the “ Vat “ temple in the morning , when special “ bread “ , made of sticky rice, is offered. This festival is held during the third full moon of the lunar calendar.

MARCH , BOUN PHA VET ( VESANDON CHADOK FEST IVAL)

A ceremony for offering donations  in order to have one’s future read from a piece of paper drawn during the 3 day and 3 night festival.

14^TH -16^TH APRIL LAO NEW YEAR “ BOUN PI MAI”

VENUE : LUANG PRABANG TOWN

Boun Pimai New Year festival, begins in mid April and lasts for 3 days. Held before the onset of the rainy seasons, it recognize the importance of water in peoples’ lives . It also a purification festival during which the Buddha images in the household and the temples are ritually cleaned with sacred water. The Prabang image is moved out of the national museum during the festival to be purified in the ground of Vat Mai. People then pour and splash each other with the water from cleaning ceremonies bring them luck for the coming year. The most elaborate New Years festival rites in the Lao PDR are held in Luang Prabang with processions of the legendary guardian spirit of town. Traditionally, Boun Pi Mai also served to reaffirm Lao kingship.

25^th MAY -15^TH JUNE ROCKET FESTIVAL “ BOUN BANG FAI”

This festival is a rain making and Fertility festival. Held just before the rainy season, it is a wild and happy ceremony, involving music, dance and street processions culminating in  the firing of rockets. Rockets are fired to tempt the gods to produce rain needed for rice cultivation; they are also fired to send  the naga from the river into the rice field in order to attract rain. This festival is held in Muang Nan District.

24^th MAY BOUN VISAKHA BOUCHA DAY

This festival is held during the sixth full moon of the lunar calendar for the Buddha. Candlelight processions are held in temples to mark the birth date of the Buddha.

22^nd JULY ( OR THE EIGHT LUNAR MONTH OF BUDDHIST CALENDAR

BOUN ASALAHABOUCHA AND BOUN KHAO PANSA (BUDDHIST LENT)

This marks the beginning of the Buddhist Lent. During the next 3 month period, monks spend most of their time in prayer and meditations are restricted from spending nights in temples other than their own.

4^th SEPTEMBER BOAT RACING FESTIVAL AND BOUN KHAO PADAB DIN

VENUE : LUANG PRABANG TOWN

Held on the full moon. During this festival is held during the ninth Buddhist lunar month and is an important part of traditional agriculture cycle. The festival pays tribute to the naga, (mythical snake water deities) with the intention of drawing the naga from the flooded rice fields back into the river. This festival also commemorates the end of the rainy season and brings luck for an abundant harvest; it is also includes boat racing on the Nam Khan River.

19 SEPTEMBER BOUN KHAO SALAK (ANCESTOR FESTIVAL DAY)

In this festival, offerings are made for dead ancestors to obtain merit. Popular and exciting longboat racing competitions are held to celebrate the river. This festival is held during the tenth full moon of lunar calendar.

 19^th OCTOBER BOUN LAI HEUA FAI

A festival for the phanga naga, it is held on order to bring good luck. Each village makes and decorates a boat. These boats are then paraded through the town and night are launched on the river and ceremoniously set on fire as offerings to spirits .This festival involves floating the ritual flowers  onto the river , to send off bad luck and give thanks to the water spirits. On holding boat races , people ritually reclaim the land from the naga, chasing them out from fields and streams and back into Mekong River.

LAOS EVENTS & FESTIVALS - BOKEO

LAOS celebrate several annual festivals called " Boun" particularly enjoyable and beautiful aspects of the traditional Lao lifestyle . Most festivals are connected with religion and the yearly rice farming cycle; while the timing of the festivals is calculated according to the Buddhist lunar calendar.

EVENTS & FESTIVALS IN BOKEO

28^TH DECEMBER - 5^TH JANUARY  - AKHA AND LAHU NEW YEAR

28^TH DECEMBER – 5^TH JANUAR – HMONG NEW YEAR

28^TH DECEMBER – 5^TH JANUARY – LAN AND YAO NEW YEAR

28^TH DECEMBER – 5^TH JANUARY – PANNA AND TAI NEUA NEW YEAR

“SPIRITS OF THE NEW RICE FESTIVAL “ KHMU AND MON –KHMER SPEAKING ETHNIC GROUPS

25^TH FEBRUARY – 10^TH KAPOK FLOWER FESTIVAL ( BOUN DOK NGIEW)

VENUE : TON PEUNG DISTRICT

A Major event in Bokeo province, festivities are concentrated around Don Sao Island upriver in Ton Peung district. The festival incorporates market fairs , parties , dancing and a local beauty pageant.

25^TH FEBRUARY  BOUN MAKHA BOUSA DAY

This festival is held on the full moon to commemorate the speech given by the Lord Buddha to 1250 enlightened monks that gathered spontaneously without prior notice. In the evening, the faithful visit local temples and walk around the vat there times with candles in a ceremony known as vien tian. Here in Bokeo, this is a special festival and late in the evening, the locals build large bonfires at the temples.

25^th FEBRUARY  BOUN KHAO CHI

A ceremony associated with Maka Bousa, this is a special offering of sticky rice , coated with eggs and roasted , for the monks. Deceased ancestors are called to come and receive alms at the temple.

14^th – 16 APRIL  LAO NEW YEAR “ BOUN PI MAI LAO”

The Boun Pimai New Year Festival , beginning mid April , lasts for 3 days . Held before the onset of the rainy seasons , it recognizes the important of water in people’s lives . It’s also a purification festival during which Buddha images in the household and the temples are ritually cleaned with sacred water. The water from cleaning ceremonies is then poured or splashed by people on to each other to bring them luck for the upcoming year.

25^th – 30^th APRIL THE ROCKET FESTIVAL “ BOUN BANG FAI”

Rocket festival or Boun Bang Fai , is held in mid in April , just before the wet season. The celebration includes Lao street dancing , music, drinking .water fights , as well as rocket firing. These rockets are fired to tempt gods to bring rain for the rice fields.

24^TH MAY BOUN VISAKHA BOUSA ( VISAKABUSA DAY)

This festival celebrates the birth, enlightenment and death of the Lord Buddha. It is held on 15^th day of  the sixth lunar month. Beautiful candlelit processions take place in the evening.

10^th -15^th JUNE  “ VOR SALEE FESTIVAL” LAHU ETHNIC GROUP

22^ND JULY BOUN KHAO PHANSA (BUDDHIST LENT)

This is the beginning of the 3 month long Buddhist Lent. All monks stop travelling to stay at the temple for prayer and meditation. It is also a time for the ordination of men entering monkhood.

4^th SEPTEMBER BOUN KHAO PADAP DIN ( RICE GROWING FESTIVAL DAY)

This ceremony is an offering to the Ancestor Spirits .It is a tradition that this time of the year those spirits are believed to have been released from the “ plain of hell” to receive offerings  by is followed, 15 days later, by Boun Haw Khao Salark, when offerings are made to the Ancestors’ spirit on their last day before returning to the afterlife and the day they are able to take the offerings and prayers with them.

19^TH SEPTEMBER BOUN KHAO SALAK ( ANCESTOR FESTIVAL DAY)        

Offerings including daily necessities, such as books, pens , sugar and coffee are made to specific monks based on a lottery system. Laypeople also give beautiful wax flower candles to the monks to gain merit.

19^th OCTOBER BOUN ORK PHANSA ( END OF BUDDHIST LENT)

VENUE : MEUANG XAY , MEUANG LA DISTRICT

Held on the full moon, which marks the end of the rainy season, monks who were ordained during the 3 month lent period leave the vat to reunite with their families. In a charming ceremony during the evening of Van Ork Pansa, small banana leaf boats called heua fai are launched on rivers with offerings of incense , candles and small amounts of money to bring luck and prosperity.

25^th -30^th SEPTEMBER “ SWIDDEN RICE FIELD FESTIVAL” PERFORMED BY THE LAHU ETHNIC GROUP BEFORE THE HARVEST .

LAOS EVENTS & FESTIVALS -OUDOXMAY

LAOS celebrate several annual festivals called " Boun" particularly enjoyable and beautiful aspects of the traditional Lao lifestyle . Most festivals are connected with religion and the yearly rice farming cycle; while the timing of the festivals is calculated according to the Buddhist lunar calendar.


EVENTS & FESTIVALS IN OUDOXMAY

Khumu New Year Festival ( January – February) 

Venue: Meuang Xay, Meuang La, Meuang Hoo, Meuang Beng and Meuang PakBeng District

This festival is celebrated at conclusion of the rice harvest season, the main purpose of the celebration is to thanks the spirit of the land to ensure the standard  of living, a better life and a good yield for the next harvest season.

HMONG NEW YEAR ( DECEMBER – JANUARY)

VENUE : MEUANG XAY, MEUANG LA, MEUANG HOO, MEUANG BENG AND MEUANG PAK BENG DISTRICT

This festival occurs just after the rice harvest season; the main purpose of the festival is to celebrate all the successful family business that the Hmong people have done in the past year to ensure a better life in the future. Games are played between men and women by throwing a small ball to each other, Hmong Khaen blowing , as well as dancing , flute playing and hmong traditional singing.

22^nd- 26 MARCH , BOUN PHOU THAT STUPA FESTIVAL CELEBRATION

VENUE : XAY DISTRICT

The festival or ceremony take 3 days and 3 nights to celebrate, people will give offerings, such as food , to monks in the morning of the third day.

14^th – 16^th APRIL, BOUN PI MAI LAO “ Lao New Year”

Venue : Meuang La, Meuang Hoo, Meuang Beng and Meuang Pak Beng District.

The Boun Pimai New Year Festival , beginning mid April, lasts for 3 days. Held before the onset of the rainy season, it recognizes the important of water in people’s lives. It’s also a purification festival during which Buddha images in the household and the temples are ritually cleaned with sacred water. The water from cleaning ceremonies is then poured or splashed by people on to each other to bring them luck for the upcoming year.

20^th – 25^th APRIL , ROCKET FESTIVAL ( BOUN BANG FAI)

VENUE: MEUANG XAY, MEUANG LA, MEUANG HOO DISTRICT

Rocket festival, or Boun Bang Fai , is held in mid April just before the rainy season. The celebration includes Lao Street  dancing , music , drinking , playing with water in the streets, as well as rocket firing. Rockets are fired to tempt the gods to bring rain for rice fields.

22^nd July BOUN KHAO PHANSA (BUDDHIST LENT)

VENUE : MEUANG XAY, MEUANG LA DISTRICT

This is the beginning of the 3 month long Buddhist Lent. All monks stop travelling and stay temple for praying and meditation. It’s also a time for the ordination of men entering monkhood.

4^TH SEPTEMBER BOUN KHAO PADAP DIN ( RICE GROWING FESTIVAL DAY)

VENUE : MEUANG XAY, MEUANG LA DISTRICT

This ceremony is an offering to the Ancestor Spirits. It is a tradition than at this time of the year, those spirits are believed to have been released from the “ plain of hell” to receive offerings . It is followed by Boun Haw Khao Salark , 15 days later , which is the day when offerings are made to the Ancestor’s spirit on their last day before returning to the afterlife; this is the day they can take the offerings and prayers with them.

19^TH SEPTEMBER  BOUN KHAO SALAK( ANCESTOR FESTIVAL DAY)

VENUE : MEUANG  XAY , MEUANG LA DISTRICT

Offerings –including daily necessities such as books, pens ,sugar and coffee are made to specific monks, based on a lottery system. Laypeople also give beautiful wax flower candles to the monks in order to gain merit.

19^th OCTOBER BOUN ORK PHANSA ( END OF BUDDHIST LENT)

Held on the full moon marking the end of the rainy season, monks who were ordained for the 3 month lent period are able to leave the Vat to reunite with their families. During the evening of van Ork Pansa, in a charming ceremony, small banana leaf boats , called heua fai, are launched on rivers with offerings of incense, candles and small amounts of money to bring luck and prosperity.

14^th -17^th NOVEMBER BOUN SOUANG HEUA ( BOAT RACING FESTIVAL )

VENUE: MEUANG LA , MEUANG HOON DISTRICT

Boat racing festival , Boun Soung Heua, is an important part of the traditional agriculture cycle. The festival is a tribute to the Naga (mythical snake) with the intention of attracting the Naga from the flooded rice fields and into the river. This festival also commemorate the end of the rainy season , bringing luck for a abundant harvest.

10^th -15^th DECEMBER AKHA NEW YEAR

The celebration is just after the rice harvest season.The purpose of the festival is to celebrate all the successful things that the Akha people have done in the past year, as well as to ensure a better life and living standard for the future. The activity includes playing games between men and women, traditional Akha dancing and singing and flute playing.

as vien tian. Here in Bokeo, this is a special festival and late in the evening, the locals build large bonfires at the temples.