People nationwide are eagerly awaiting Lao New Year (Pi Mai Lao) and anticipating the colourful activities that will take place around the official holiday on April 14-16 to celebrate the Year of the Pig.
Luang Prabang province in particular is noted for the traditional events that are organised to mark the New Year and is top of the list for many foreign visitors.
The province is hosting activities from April 11-17 including a Miss Lao New Year (Nang Sangkhan)contest at the That Luang ground (the old stadium) from April 11-12, according to the provincial Information, Culture and Tourism Department.
The festival will also feature an elephant procession from Vat Mai temple to Vat Xiengthong temple on April 13, while a street fair will take place on the main street between the old stadium and the Royal Palace Museum. On April 14 the fair will display and sell traditional textiles and other products made locally and in neighbouring countries.
On the same day people will gather by the river to make sand stupas to bring good luck.
April 15 will see the start of the Miss Lao New Year procession, which will start on the main street at Vat Thatnoy temple and proceed to Vat Xiengthong temple.
On the morning of April 16 there will be an almsgiving ceremony and the Lao New Year procession will parade from Vat Xiengthong back to Vat Thatnoy.
Visitors can also enjoy a Naga lantern parade and watch traditional dances (Pha Lak and Pha Lam, giant, monkey and Nang Keo dances) at the Royal Palace Museum.
On April 17, monks, provincial leaders, elders and invited guests will assemble to bring the revered Prabang Buddha statue from the Royal Palace Museum to Vat Mai temple where holy water will be poured over it in an act of worship.
Other provinces are also gearing up for Lao New Year with many visitors expected to take part in the special events laid on for the occasion.
In addition, many provinces are building new tourist-related facilities and improving services at hotels, guesthouses and restaurants to welcome visitors during Visit Laos-China Year 2019.
Luang Prabang province is adding Chinese language to signs at popular tourist sites and writing a brief tourist guide in Chinese, while restaurants are adding Chinese dishes to their menus, according to the province’s Information, Culture and Tourism Department.
In addition, interesting new touches will be made to souvenirs and information will be provided about them on the packaging. This will be an improvement on previous
products which did not carry any explanation as to their significance or provenance.
Luang Prabang province is situated in northern Laos and the capital is 339km from Vientiane. It is easily reached by road or air transport.
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