Public holidays in Laos

Public holidays in Laos are days when workers get the day off work.[1]

Public Holidays
DateEnglish NameLocal NameRemarks
January 1New Yearວັນປີໃໝ່ສາກົນ
January 20Armed Forces Day
March 8International Women's Dayວັນແມ່ຍິງສາກົນ
April 14–16Lao New Yearບຸນປີໃໝ່ລາວThe Lao New Year, starts from 14 to 16. 3 days in total.
May 1Labor Dayວັນກຳມະກອນສາກົນ
December 2Lao National DayວັນຊາດThe establishment of the Lao People's Democratic Republic in 1975. Parades and dancing at That Luang temple.
Lunisolar public Holidays
DateEnglish NameLocal NameRemarks
Late January - Early FebruaryBoun Khoun KhaoThis holiday is celebrated after the rice harvest. A ceremony takes place to give thanks to the spirits of the land and make good luck for the next harvest.
FebruaryChinese and Vietnamese New Year'sKud Chin and Kud VietFireworks and celebrations take place at Chinese and Vietnamese temples.
FebruaryBoun Makha BousaTakes place on the full moon to commemorate the speech given by the Lord Buddha to 1,250 enlightened monks who had gathered with no organization or prior warning. In the evening, people visit the temple and circle the wat three times with candles in a ceremony known as vien tian.
Late FebruaryBoun Khao ChiSpecial offerings of sticky rice coated with eggs are made to monks. It is associated with Mahka Bousa.
Late MarchBoun Pha VetLasting 3 days and 3 nights, this religious festival celebrates Buddha's previous incarnation before being born as Prince Siddhartha.
AprilLao New YearBoun Pi MaiCelebrated for 3 days, this is the most important celebration of the year. Throwing buckets of water to passersby. The best festival is the Luang Prabang festivities, which include a procession, a fair, a sand-castle competition on the Mekong, a Miss New Year pageant, folk performances, and cultural shows.
Mid MayRocket FestivalBoun Bang FaiA festival of fertility and rainmaking. Held just before the start of the rainy season. Huge homemade rockets are fired into the air to prompt the gods to create rain for the upcoming rice-growing season. There are music, dancing, performances, and processions.
15th day of 6th lunar month (Late May)Boun Visakha BousaThe birth, enlightenment, and death of the Lord Buddha. Candlelit processions take place in the evening.
Mid JulyBoun Khao PhansaAt local temples, worshipers in brightly colored silks greet the dawn on Buddhist Lent by offering gifts to the monks and pouring water into the ground as a gesture of offering to their ancestors. Lent begins in July and lasts 3 months. Monks are required to stay within their wat during this time, to meditate and focus on dharma studies. Lao men are traditionally ordained as monks during this time.
Late August or early SeptemberHaw Khao Padap DinPaying respect to the dead.
Mid SeptemberBoun Khao SalakPeople make offerings to the monks. These include practical items such as books, pens, sugar, and coffee. Laypeople also give wax flower candles to the monks in order to gain merit.
Mid OctoberBoun Ork PhansaBuddhist Lent and the rainy season both end in this holiday. Monks are liberated to perform their normal community duties. It is celebrated with boat races and carnivals. In the evening of Van Ork Phansa, a ceremony is held throughout Laos in which people launch small, candlelit banana-leaf (heua fai) floats on the rivers, decorated with offerings of incense and small amounts of money to bring luck and prosperity.
Late summer / early fallDragon Boat RacesBoun Song HuaHeld at different times in late summer or early fall in every riverside town. Celebrates the end of Buddhist Lent. The Vientiane Boat Race Festival (Vientiane and Savannakhet) is held the second weekend in October. The Luang Prabang Boat Races are held in early September along the Nam Kan, with a major market day preceding the races and festivities throughout the night on race day.
Full moon in early NovemberThat Luang FestivalBoun That LouangPilgrimage to That Luang Stupa in Vientiane. Before dawn, thousands join in a ceremonial offering and group prayer, followed by a procession. For days afterward, a combined trade fair and carnival offers handicrafts, flowers, games, concerts, and dance shows.
Late November / early DecemberHmong New YearNot a national holiday. Celebrated among the northern hill tribe.

See also

References

  1. ↑ White, Daniel (2010). Frommer's Cambodia & Laos. John Wiley & Sons. p. 193. ISBN 9780470497784. Retrieved January 26, 2012.
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