Lao New Year Schedule next four year or Lao New Year-Upcoming Lao New Year in The Future.

Public Holiday	Date	Day	Year
Lao New Year	13 Apr to 16 Apr	Mon to Thu	2020
Lao New Year	14 Apr to 16 Apr	Wed to Fri	2021
Lao New Year	14 Apr to 16 Apr	Thu to Sat	2022
Lao New Year	14 Apr to 16 Apr	Fri to Sun	2023
Lao New Year	13 Apr to 16 Apr	Sat to Tue	2024

What’s on in April, Laos?

Happy Lao New Year! Sabaidee Pi Mai Lao in Lao. The Laos New Year or Pi Mai Lao in Lao language, it is the biggest festival of the year for all Lao. Laos has many colorful festivals and celebrations happening from the beginning of the year until the end of each year. Please stay up to date on events going on and join in the happy time with Lao, if you plan to travel to Laos soon!
Hey! What is your next destination? Please don’t forget to Laos on your list. Laos is a land lock country, but Lao is generous. Welcome to Laos! Have you ever visited Lao this month? You should. I guarantee that you will have a fun and wonderful time on your holiday during the Lao New Year Celebration .
If Lao people stay in the Vientiane capital, they will plan to return to their hometown. This is the longest holiday of the year, so they prefer to visit their parents, families on this occasion.

Employees are waiting for long public holidays, many private companies arrange the Lao New Year Party for entertaining their staff, including the government sector as well. Normally, they would like to have celebration parties before employees will have a long holiday about 5th -12th Apr of each year.

Some Lao family will hold Baci a traditional Laotian ceremony, some people prefer to have a new house party during this April as well; depending on each family’s financial status. Some people who live overseas or stay in different provinces, like to go back to their home country/hometown and visit their families.

What is the popular fashion style during the New Year? And preparation for the event

On the occasion of the Lao New Year, Lao people often buy new clothes for themselves or prepare gifts for their parents, grandparents, respected relatives or give those cash to them when they visit on the occasion of the Lao New Year. The preparation of drinks, food and a set of equipment for playing water is prepared, such as water pipes, water guns, oh, water tank, plastic swimming pool, water protection equipment’s to prevent electronic devices from getting wet when playing water, such as to prevent the phone from getting wet, plastic bag for covering wallets, plastic handbag, etc.

The most popular clothes to wear during the Lao New Year celebrations are brightly colored dresses such as floral shirts, brightly colorful T-shirts such as pink, yellow, blue, etc., especially for teenagers. But one thing that people do not forget and have always been a tradition is that women must wear a Lao skirt before entering the temple to send water or to perform Buddhist activities at all times.

So, the merchant will sell the products for supporting Lao New Year, the markets and shops along the road and are arranged to buy goods for preparing the New Year, before two to three weeks before the festival, including store imported goods from China, for example near Huay Hong market, Huai Hong street, city Canthabuly capital Vientiane, selling decoration set, these objects can support charity water and it is necessary for this event. Moreover, it is also easy to buy elsewhere in Vientiane capital as well.

When does the Lao New Year start and end?

Do you know when Lao celebrate their New Year each year? Yes, you are right; it is in April each year.

When you come to Laos from March to April, you will notice that all flowers bloomed along the road; for example Dork Khoun, Dork Lan, especially frangipani is the main highlight or the identities of the street. The frangipani is the national flower of Laos.

April is the hottest month of the year! Another way, we can say the summer months. Of course, it is normal to do the water throwing to each other this month. Because the water can make us feel cooler from the hot weather. Three days or more is for the largest ceremony of Lao New Year. This year 2020 fallen to four days following. If you would like to know the next year’s Lao New Year, you should see the Lao calendar (Lunar calendar). The latest news of tourism Laos, I would like to suggest you read Champa Meuanglao magazine, which is my favorite magazine in traveling and I’m also the magazine’s fan club.

They have many tourism attraction places review and great photos. So, I am sure that you will enjoy reading from the travel guru. I give you a link to their issues here. (https://issuu.com/champameuanglao ) Furthermore, the national newspaper officially is the Vientiane Times website. You can visit the website, to read, to update the up to date new in Laos as http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/

Normally, the Lao New Year Festival will celebrate in three or fours days within April each year.

On the first day of the Lao New Year Festival, Van Sun Khan Luang or typing as ວັນສັງຂານລ່ວງ. Today is also the last day of the old year. Lao people will prepare some flowers, perfume water, etc… Moreover, we will arrange some material for going to the temple (Wat in Lao) and we will take the perfumed water to the Buddha images, especially elders usually like to visit the Wat this day. The Buddha images are moved to a temporary place and easy to access for many visitors.

All local flowers are bloom fully this month. So, those flowers will use for decorating on this Lao New Year.

The second day of the Lao New Year Festival, Van Nao or typing as ວັນສັງຂານເນົາ )and 15th Apr 2020: the third day of the Lao New Year Festival Van Nao. It means “the day of no day” as it falls between the last year and New Year.

The last day of the Lao New Year Festival, Van Sun Khan Kheun or typing as ວັນສັງຂານຂຶ້້ນ, so it means the starting of New Year Pi Mai Lao. After, Lao celebrated the long holiday per year.

Water throwing is the main thing for all the three-four days’ activities. Please prepare enough clothes for the Lao New Year celebration. If you visit Laos during this period, you will be wet by friendly unknown people; I guarantee to loll….you should prepare many clothes for wearing. Because many people will throw water at each other when you pass by.

Activities in Lao New Year

The funniest and greatest celebration to be held every year, the most popular activities during this period are as follows:

-Visiting families and friends, get traveling together to make merit, and go to temples, May Buddha continues to give us his/her best blessing for bringing him/her, as well as families.

-The water throwing to each other at roadsides and places.

-To make an activity for respecting the parents, grandparents, or the oldest generation in the house. We call “Som Mar” in Lao or Typing as “ສົມມາ”.

-Travel to places with family, friends. The most popular tourist destination during this time is the river.

-Consecrate the image of the Buddha with perfume, if you want to do well, meditate at least nine temples.

Tip for Travel Safety during the Lao New Year.

I am a local Lao and living in Laos presently. I would like to suggest you that you should plan your trip to Laos. You should arrive at the place you prefer to travel to earlier before the 1st day of the Lao New Year Festival at least one or two weeks earlier It would be nice (or at least 1-2 days, but it will be closer to the start of the celebrations and many people will start to leave as the same time), because the number of accident rate is quite high each year. Of course, the celebration must come with a drunken drink together, so it will be the main cause of road accidents, so planning a trip is a must, avoiding to travel during the New Year Day Celebration, so it is the best option for you and your travel companions to be safe.

Generally, I also did the plan with my family like that. When we will visit my husband’s hometown, Xiengkhuang province, or my hometown in Vientiane province, we will go for one or two days before the beginning of Lao New Year, with our private car.

For your information, public transportation like the bus will be crowded due to many Lao will return to their hometown as I mention at the start. It will be better or safer if you travel by airplane or your own/rental car.

Hopefully, you will travel safely and happily in Laos and enjoy your holiday in Laos.

Where are the best places to celebrate Lao New Year?

Celebration and events will organize all over Laos in every province. Vientiane Capital and Luangprabang province are the two famous locations to visit during this period because authorities will prepare public events to welcome all visitors, tourists. I will give you some more detail about these two places as following:

Celebrations and events for the Lao New Year will be held throughout Laos in all provinces. Vientiane Capital and Luang Prabang are two popular places to visit during this period, as public and private authorities will organize public events to welcome all tourists, as well as private or family-friendly activities at their homes. Swimming, watering, or scuba diving at tourist sites is a major activity for the Lao New Year to reduce the hot weather during this month as well. It is very easy to find a place to celebrate the Lao New Year if you visit Laos during this time, but by the time of the calendar day, you will definitely hear the music, music nearby in the village of someone along with watering ones, including pedestrians.

Lao New Year in Vientiane Capital

Lao New Year celebrations in the capital are one of the happiest venues of all provinces as you know Vientiane is the capital, a tourist centre, a major event venue and a gathering place for many people. The host company will set the Lao New Year Festival in each of the three areas:

• Boundaries on the banks of the Mekong River (canals on the banks of the Mekong River in front of the Mekong Agency and hotels): Open food and beverage outlets, New Year’s toys, demonstrations of local brewing and liquor, enjoy a mid-level concert, and open a special watering area, Alms giving from 4 temples on the same day.

In addition, there will be a Beer Lao Booth event (Beerlao Music Zone Water Fest event) near the stair casing of canals and there will be a staircase down to the nearby Mekong beach. This Beerlao Music Zone Water Fest are for teenagers, young and old, as well as foreigners or who like to enjoy dancing with DJ, Music, live band, drinking and wet by plenty of water, the event attracted many people estimated around 10,000.

• Beach area of the Mekong River (Sithan Nuea village – Khun Ta Tha): Open food and beverage shop, New Year toys, traditional sports, beach concert stage, beach green garden (Oasis), traditional activities, sandblasting, sand sculpture, kite flying, horse riding and more.
• Boundaries on the Mekong River (at Vang Poi Pa): Big fishing competition for prizes, cutting fish using local products, there is a fish processing restaurant on the spot and selling other food, Lao cooking competition and so on.

Events at temples and on the streets

Each temple will have a main event, such as the lowering of the Buddha image as described above, but there will be some temples that organize activities a little different, such as at Wat Si Muang, there will be arm wrestling for visitors, there will be a Baci ceremony for visitors (Baci ceremonies, it is conventional Lao).

Every year, there will be a Miss Sangkhan contest or a Miss Vientiane Capital Selection Ceremony. Ms. Sangkhan is a new generation of Lao girls who are physically, mentally and emotionally beautiful. Nang Sangkhan procession (the 7th daughter of King Kabinlaphrom’s daughters) was held on Setthathilath road in 2018, but in 2019 the Nang Sangkhan procession or the Lao New Year procession was cut off. The top five streets for performing Lao New Year in Vientiane capital, they are Setthathilath road, Rue Simeuang, Chao Fa Ngum Road or Quai Fa Ngum, Samsenthai Road, Chao Anou Road.

With the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic around the world, the Lao New Year 2020 event is to be suspended and some activities will not be enjoyable as the Lao people will have to be confined to their homes as announced by the government, I will explain the information about the Lao New Year 2020 in the next section.

Finally, I hope that the situation of communicable Covid-19 disease can be reduced, controlled and uninfected, people all over the world can come back to visit as before and do not forget to visit Laos.

Lao New Year in Luangprabang Province, Northern Laos

Luangprabang province is the previous capital of Laos, it is one of the most popular destination during Lao New Year. There will have Traditional pageants, parades, and unique customs. Traditional contestants, parades, unique traditions.

When talking about Laos, all tourists are thinking about famous places like Luang Prabang. Do you know the best time to visit Luang Prabang? April and August and October, these months you will see the most beautiful culture of Luang Prabang.

In April of each year is between the middle of month on 11st -20th Luangprabang city is going to celebrate the Lao New Year festival (water festival) are famous for local people and tourists in this time.

Events for the Lao New Year in Luang Prabang World Heritage City, Between 11 -20 April 2019, Events for the Lao New Year at the World Heritage City of Luang Prabang almost every day is similar.

These below information is normal events for celebrating Lao New Year from 2019 backward. Credit information from Tourismluangprabang.org, thank you. But some events in 2020, it is different from year 2019.

Events for Lao New Year in Luangprabang World Heritage Town

Between 11st -20th April 2019 (Every year events are almost the same day)

Thursday 11st – Friday 12nd April 2019

19:30 -23:00 Beauty contest for Nang Sankhan (Miss Lao New Year and Lao Traditional dance and music at Thad Luang Ground (The old stadium)

Saturday 13rd April 2019

09:00 Elephant procession named “Chang Hieng Koei” starts from Wat Mai to Wat Xienthong. – Visiting the main tourist destination of Luang Prabang

Sunday 14th Apr 2019

06:00 Market Fair “Lolat” will be set up on the main street between the old statdiem to the National Museum (the Royal Palace). The fair includes a traditional textile show, local and bordering country’s products.

09:00 The ceremony of watering the Buddha images for blessing at every temple in LuangPrababng

13:00 Gathering on the beach to make sand stupas “Topppathatsay” to bring a good luck. Baci ceremony at the sand stupas, traditional cultural performance. Local sport match, Dragon Fire Rocket and sightseeing at “Hatsay moungkhoun”(Mekong River beach, Xiengman village, Chomphet district)

• – The ceremony of watering the Buddha images for blessing at every temple in Luangprabang

Monday 15th April 2019

8:00 Textile Exhibition at Ban Phanom, a traditional of Tailue ethnic group and followed by Baci ceremony for leaders, international and local guests.

14:00 -Starting the procession of Lao New Year ( Nang Sangkhan), the procession will be set up on the main street from Wat Thatnoy to Wat Xiengthong.

19:00 The ceremony of watering the Buddha images for blessing at every temple in Luangprabang.

Tuesday 16th April 2019

05:30 Morning Alms Giving Ceremony “Sai Bat” at in front of Wat Sene Soukharam and the climbing of Phou Si mountain to pay respect.

14:00 the procession of Lao New Year (Nang Sangkhan) from Wat Xiengthong back to Wat Thatnoy.

19:00 Naga and Lantern parades comes down from Phou Si Mountain to the pond inside the National Museum. Also see traditional (Phalak & Pha Lam, dancing, Monkey and Nagkeo dancing) at the Museum.

Wednesday 17th April 2019

09:00 Together with monks, provincial leaders, and elderly people, international and local guest Bringing Buddha image “Prabang” out of Hor Prababang inside the National Museum to Wat Mai.

13:00 Provincial leaders, Miss Lao New Year and all guest will visit Pak Ou cave for watering of the Buddha image. In the evening the ceremony of watering the Buddha images “Prabang” for blessing and see traditional dancing (Pha Lak & Pha Lam dancing) at Wat Mai.

Thursday 18th- Fri. 19th April 2019

08:00 – 23:00 watering of the Buddha image and see traditional dancing (Pha Lak & Pha Lam dancing) at Wat Mai.

Saturday 20th April 2019

09:00 Bringing of “Prabang” Buddha image back to the National Meuseun.

Best wishes for all the year 2019!

Remark: Please protect your valuables in a water proof container.

If you would like to know the unique Lao New Year Festival, you should visit Luangprabang province during this period.