The provinces are preparing a host of activities and readying venues to host lively events that will ring in the New Year.

City dwellers in particular are eagerly looking forward to the festivities, event organisers are hard at work arranging the final details, and everyone is counting the days to the big event as New Year’s Eve draws ever closer.

Decorations are on sale on the streets and in malls, and restaurants and roads are displaying “Happy New Year” signs.

Families and friends are making plans to unite and usher in the New Year together, as a way of strengthening their bonds.

Concerts are being organised in public places and of course January 1 is a holiday when people can gather together, with parents taking the opportunity to go with their children to parks and playgrounds.

Buddhists will participate in religious ceremonies such as overnight chanting to welcome the New Year in a spiritual manner. Temples in Vientiane and the provinces will open their doors to those who don’t want to take part in extravagant celebrations but prefer to reflect on more serious issues.

Some families will make a trip into the countryside and camp out there as a novel way of spending time together. Vangvieng district in Vientiane province offers several camp sites where people can spend the night and enjoy a refreshing environment.

In Vientiane, festivities will be organised at Chao Anouvong Park near the Mekong River on December 30 and 31 and will include musical performances and the sale of food and drinks.

On December 30, the fun will begin at 5pm and continue until 11:30pm. On New Year’s Eve bands will leave the stage at about 00:30am after the countdown is well and truly over, but those in the mood to party can stay for as long as they want.

Vangvieng district authorities and local businesses are arranging New Year countdowns at several popular locations. Visitors can enjoy live music and shop at a street market on December 31, with bands scheduled to play until about 1 am.

In Luang Prabang the main countdown venue is near the night market. A concert will feature local singers along with musicians from Vientiane to create a great atmosphere that will make visitors feel at home.

In Oudomxay, provincial authorities are preparing activities at the Nam Kat waterfall where visitors can gather to see in the New Year in a natural environment.

Visitors to Oudomxay province will not only be able to celebrate the New Year beginning on January 1 but can also take part in the Hmong New Year celebrations from December 27-31.

So there’s lots of fun in store, wherever you happen to be, and authorities will waive the usual 11:30 pm entertainment closing time so that the New Year gets a rousing welcome.

A resident of Chanthabouly district in Vientiane, Mr Sengchan, said “I’m happy and excited to take part in events over New Year. I will visit a temple to make merit and later on I will party with my family and friends at home.”

“I think it’s safe to drink at home but I think everyone should celebrate the New Year responsibly. People certainly shouldn’t drink and drive because it is illegal and unsafe,” he added.