Vientiane Local Events
Events and Festivals in Vientiane are numerous and are a great activity to incorperate into your Vientiane vacation plans. But, if you plan your Vientiane holiday during one of these festivals, make sure to book your Vientiane hotel in advance. Please see below for some of them to get inspired for the best time to plan your Vientiane vacation:
Place: Vientiane (14 Apr 2012 - 16 Apr 2012)Lao New Year is celebrated at approximately the same time every year. On the first day of the celebrations, statues and images of Buddha are taken out of temples for a ritual cleansing. They are cleansed with scented water and placed on special alters in the temples for the duration of Pii Mai (pronounced Pee My).
Place: Vientiane (1 Oct 2012 - 31 Oct 2012)
The Boat Racing festival is held at the end of the monks' annual three-month fast during the rainy season. At dawn on the first day of the festival, offerings are made at the temples, while in the evening people release colourful floats made of flowers, candles and incense down the river to pay their respects to the river spirit and to bring them good tidings for the year to come.
Place: Vientiane (3 Nov 2012 - 9 Nov 2012)
This religious festival is held in and around That Luang Stupa where hundreds of Monks from all over the country gather to accept alms and floral votives from the people. The festival includes a grand firework display in the evening. During the day, a large trade fair is held at the ITEEC centre, showcasing products from all over Laos.
Place: Laos (1 Dec 2012 - 31 Dec 2012)
Celebrated in provinces across Northern Laos, the Hmong New Year celebrations features colourful displays of traditional costumes. Exact dates can vary village to village.
