Welcome to Laos and celebrate New Year like no other in the world with our Laos vacation package. The New Year holiday, or Pi Mai Laos, is a time bursting with unique traditions you won't find anywhere else. Our travel guide blog allows you to immerse yourself fully in the culture during this celebratory time. Our packages highlight the can't-miss Pi Mai Laos festivities, from sand stupa-building competitions to cleansing Baci ceremonies. End your old year and ring in the new one by taking one trip to this unique country immediately!

1. Embracing Festivities Of The New Year Celebrations in Laos
Welcome to Laos and celebrate New Year like no other in the world with our Laos vacation
package. The New Year holiday, or Pi Mai Laos, is a time bursting with unique traditions you
won't find anywhere else. Our travel guide blog allows you to immerse yourself fully in the
culture during this celebratory time. Our packages highlight the can't-miss Pi Mai Laos
festivities, from sand stupa-building competitions to cleansing Baci ceremonies. End your old
year and ring in the new one by taking one trip to this unique country immediately!
Where to Celebrate the Laos New Year?
Luang Prabang
New Year Festinal in Laos (Source: Internet)
Luang Prabang stands out as a premier destination for celebrating Pi Mai Laos, boasting an
extensive array of parades and festivities that typically span about seven days. A religious focal
point during these celebrations is the venerated Prabang Buddha effigy in its golden shelter
atop two extended poles, leading a street procession carried by a group of young men.

2. The procession is led by two iconic mythical characters, Gna Gneu and Pou Gneu, also known
as Grandma and Grandpa Gneu. The parade concludes with the placement of the sacred statue
at Wat May. The figure will rest for three days of merriment. Over this period, people expressed
their reverence by pouring floral-infused water over the Buddha image. Luang Prabang also
hosts a beauty pageant known as the Nang Sangkhane contest, a vibrant celebration featuring
entrants, each personifying one daughter of King Kabinlaphom. The participants parade down
main thoroughfares, at times atop elephants. As the evening unfolds, enchanting processions
featuring Nagas and a myriad of traditional performances fill the atmosphere with cultural
richness.
Vientiane
In Vientiane, festivities parallel those of Luang Prabang during the Pi Mai Laos celebrations.
The city's vibrant celebration encompasses a variety of events, including a captivating beauty
contest, engaging art shows, dynamic sports competitions, a spirited sand stupa (temporary
pagodas) building competition, and heritage musical performances along the picturesque
Mekong riverbanks.
Streets come alive with exuberant water fights, where revelers armed with buckets, water
pistols, and bottles engage in friendly splashing. Drenching people becomes a heartwarming
way to convey wishes for New Year blessings in Laoss. Travelers are warmly welcomed to
participate in these joyous celebrations, adding to the collective spirit of merriment and
camaraderie.
Three Days of the Laoss New Year
Pi Mai Laos, known as the locals' New Year, unfolds amidst the scorching summer season. The
annual celebrations span from April 13th to 15th with the festivities often extending beyond

3. these datesin significant locations. In this country, the celebrations revolve around performing
benevolent actions, emphasizing the elements of sand, water, flowers, and animals as integral
components of the festivities.
New Year Festival in Laos (Source: Internet)
Three days of Laos New Year carry unique significance and are accompanied by distinct
traditions and activities that are indispensable experiences in your Laos vacation package.
 The 1st day
The commencement of Pi Mai Laos, Sangkhan Luang, signifies the culmination of the outgoing
year. During this day, individuals engage in the thorough cleaning of their homes and villages,
ensuring readiness for the upcoming days by arranging water, flowers, and perfume.
 The 2nd day
The second day of the holiday exists outside the boundaries of both the Old and New Years,
offering a period of leisure and enjoyment. People engage in activities like visiting relatives and

4. friends or embarking on day trips, making it a time for relaxation and camaraderie. Following
tradition, elders typically counsel the younger generation to refrain from taking a nap on the
second day, as it is thought that doing so may lead to illness in the upcoming year.
 The 3rd day
Day three of this multi-day holiday commences with locals adorning themselves in exquisite
silk attire. A significant aspect of the day involves making offerings at the temple, where
individuals express their devotion. Additionally, younger members of the community visit their
grandparents, parents, and elders, symbolically washing their hands with water. This ritual
serves as an opportunity to seek forgiveness and blessings for any missteps in the preceding
year. As the day progresses, family gatherings take place, featuring the spiritual baci rituals
conducted by community members. These ceremonies are born to invoke prosperity and luck
for the year ahead.
Laos New Year Festival Tips
Plan Your Trip in Advance
This special occasion attracts a significant influx of people returning to Laoss from various
cities, and tourists also converge in major urban centers to partake in the festivities.
Consequently, accommodations such as guesthouses and hotels experience full bookings
during this period. It is highly recommended to make advance arrangements for both
accommodation and transportation To ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience. Planning
ahead and securing reservations will help travelers navigate the heightened demand during
the festive season, providing a more comfortable and hassle-free celebration in your Laos
vacation package.
Safety

5. In the midst of the lively celebrations, it's crucial to be vigilant about your personal belongings,
especially in crowded places. Consider using waterproof bags in order to safeguard items like
room keys and mobile phones. As an added precaution, leave cards at your hotel and refrain
from carrying excessive valuables or cash. Given that water fights have become a familiar and
spirited part of the celebration in big cities, it's worth noting that there have been reports of
residents playfully involving travelers, even if they may not initially express interest.
If you prefer not to partake in the water festivities, opt for private transportation as a
comfortable alternative. This way, you can still enjoy the vibrant atmosphere without directly
participating in the water-related activities.
Summary
The Laos New Year is filled with incredible cultural traditions, from the parades of Buddha
images to receiving blessings from monks. Our article has guided you to fully experience this
joyful celebration and ring in the new year surrounded by rich Laos customs. Take your chance
to participate in unique rituals like building sand stupas for good luck or receiving spirit-tying
strings at an energizing Baci ceremony. Book our Laos vacation package now and welcome
the new year immersed in the fantastic Laos culture with memories to last a lifetime.
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