Visitez Luang Prabang, et le reste du Laos

Full moon day

Benolaos — 2018-01-05T10:00:54Z

The days of the full moon is called Van Sin Ngiae 15 kham, holiday especially for all manual workers and those whose job can disturb by noise. These days we will avoid visiting artisan villages if we want to observe or participate in traditional activities.

On that day, more locals will join the Morning Alms.
Before participating, we recommend to read the Rules to respect for this unique cultural/religious tradition.

In the morning of the Van Sin Ngiae, the search for bonzes is marked by an influx more massive than usual of faithful. The bonzes themselves are more likely to leave the temple which gives the ritual a special intensity, even more in recent years with the influx of Thai visitors at certain times of the year for some Buddhist festivals.

New moon day

Benolaos — 2018-01-05T09:55:51Z

The day of the new moon is called "Van Sin Ngiae 1 kham". It's a holiday, especially for all manual workers and those whose job can disturb by noise. These days we will avoid visiting villages working in handicraft, if we want to observe or participate in their activities.

On that day, more locals will join the Morning Alms.

Before participating, we recommend to read the Rules to respect for this unique cultural/religious tradition.

Notice that Buddhist holidays often coincide with Buddhist festivals and animist festivals.

Luang Prabang Film Festival

Benolaos — 2017-11-01T01:37:00Z

With cooperation from the Department of Cinema (a division of the Ministry of Information and Culture) of the Lao PDR, the annual Luang Prabang Film Festival (LPFF) presents films on a Southeast Asian theme to tourists and locals in December every year.

The screenings take place in non-traditional venues (both indoor and outdoor) in the former royal capital of Laos, as Luang Prabang has no working cinemas. After the festival, a smaller selection of films tour other major provinces in Laos, with screenings and mini-festivals held over 2-night stops in each city.

Between the yearly events, ongoing educational projects attempt to raise awareness about film in Laos, creating a long-term, sustainable project that seeks to support a burgeoning industry and art form.

View online : Official website

Boat racing in Nam Khan River

Benolaos — 2014-08-01T09:45:00Z

In mid-term of the Buddhist Lent, at the time of the new moon, the biggest boat race takes place in the Nam Khan River, in the center of the town of Luang Prabang. It is a very popular event and many people from the countryside and all over the country take this opportunity to come in to town.

The day before, a large street market will be held from 6 am to 12 am, located on the site of the old stadium, providing products from Thailand for a period of one week.

These holidays, with that of Pimay and the end of Lent Buddhist, are the busiest of the year.

Hmong new year

Benolaos — 2012-12-20T00:10:00Z

As every year, Hmong New year is "the first of the 5 new year days" in Laos (before the Lao Theung, Christian, Chinese and finally Lao new year).

This festival takes usually takes place before the end of the twelfth lunar calendar month, when the harvest is finished and foods are abundant.

The New Year Celebration starts on the morning of the first day of the new year and may last three or more days. Festivities of the New Year's celebration include ball tossing, song contests, Qeej performances and sporting activities, such as top playing, kicking, and bull fighting. Hmong girls are wearing their most elaborately embroidered new outfits.

Around Luang Prabang, the new place to assist these festival is in Ban Jad San.

On this occasion, many Hmong American come in Luang Prabang, to see their relatives...

National day

Benolaos — 2012-12-02T07:50:00Z

This year 2025, we celebrate the 50th anniversary!

December 2, 1975, the Pathet Lao (literally "the Lao people," the name of the Communist Party) announces the abolition of the monarchy (as of 29 November, the King and Queen Savang Vatthana Khamphoui are forced to abdicate), and proclaims the democratic Republic of Laos. Prince Souphanouvong Thao is then sworn in President.

The new flag is introduced: blue, white and red ... the color red represents the blood shed for independence, and the blue represents the Mekong, or health of the country. The white disc symbolizes the moon over the Mekong, or the unity of the country under the Communist government.

Each year takes place on this occasion a rally at the first light of day. Village by village, under large banners glorified this day, people gather. In Luang Prabang, this is the new stadium that converges all formations, silently, almost reverently. Some ethnic groups have donned their costumes and parade proudly.

It's very surprising to find that peace reigns in the city on that day. Most people celebrate the anniversary at home with friends.

Ok Phansa, end of Buddhist lent

Benolaos — 2012-10-27T00:28:00Z

After three months restricted to their temples, learning dharma and practicing meditation, the Buddhist monks once again return to their social duties and are welcomed with offerings of food and gifts. For three months, it was the rainy season, the period of calm in Laos (no wedding, no parties except the religious one).

This is the end of Buddhist Lent, it's also time for another big celebration, the last boat race that takes place in Xieng Ngeun, 30km from the centre town.

Boun Heua Fai

Benolaos — 2012-10-20T00:49:00Z

This is the "Lai Heua Fai" Festival, the festival of the fire boat.

The day is celebrated by illuminated boat processions handmade with bamboo and banana trunks, colourfully decorated with candles and money. Each family has to make one, each people has to throw out one illuminated little boat on the Mekong, wishing good luck for the future and paying respect to the spirit of the waters. This is more than 20000 boats down slowly the river during the night...

In Luang Prabang, a big parade happens that day. Most of the village of the town (around 20) are building their own big boat, competing every year for the most beautiful one. Ethnic groups are wearing their traditional clothes, people singing, chanting, dancing, fireworks are launched all around...

This is certainly the most attractive and impressive festival in Luang Prabang all year.

Boun Khao Salak

Benolaos — 2012-09-27T23:50:00Z

This is one of the most important spiritual celebration of the year. Hold during the 10th full moon of the lunar calendar, this festival is a celebration and a remembrance of the dead. During this festival, the Lao make offerings to the monks at the local Wat on behalf of deceased ancestors. Participing gives "good merits" to the devotes.

Most of the people go to the temple early this day, with offering to the monks. Large food trays are brought to the monks, with several "best" dishes that families can cook.

All the people will bring that offerings with a piece of papers talking about ancestors, that will be read publicly.

Khmu New Year

Benolaos — 2012-09-26T12:40:00Z

In ancient time Khmuic people celebrated new year festival on the first waxing moon day of the first lunar month. At present day the new year festival is mostly not practiced or if it is, it is integrated with the harvesting festival.

Khmu's traditional New Year celebration falls in December towards the end of the year. During this special moment, all Khmu' families gather in one central venue to give thanks to our ancestors for the bountiful harvest, good health, and a peaceful community of the previous year. They also pray to our ancestors to guide the people to live in peace and harmony, to have good fortune and live a healthy life for the New Year. Traditional dances, sporting events, display the tools and traits.