Wat Pa Phon Phao is a Buddhist temple perched atop a hill in Luang Prabang, Laos. It is known for its unusual octagonal architecture and its intricate murals. The temple was built in the 1950s by a wealthy Laotian woman named Mrs. Bounmy Phonsak. She wanted to create a place of peace and contemplation for
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The Monk’s Long March (ຕະຫລາດສົດ ບ້ານໜອງບົວທອງ) takes place at Ban Norng Bua Tong Market, located at Km. 40 on Route 13S. It serves as the meeting point for Day 3 of this unique Buddhist practice known as Dhutanga. During this practice, monks engage in long-distance walking meditation, carrying their belongings in bowls and using a
Uncover hidden gems and attractions that make Luang Prabang a must-visit destination.
Last week we journeyed from Vang Vieng to the south of Laos on an inspection trip. I’ll write about what we found and experienced in the coming months. Looking through the photos I couldn’t help but notice the beauty of Laos. The skies are blue and the lands are green, Laos holds a unique charm
Lao New Year 2023, also known as Pi Mai Lao, is a traditional festival that celebrates the start of a new year according to the Lao lunar calendar. The holiday is typically celebrated for three days from April 14th to 16th and is the most important festival in Laos. This year it runs from the
National Geographic has named Laos one of the top destinates to visit in 2023. The COVID-19 pandemic closed the borders of many tourism-dependent countries, such as Laos. But the Southeast Asian country known for its emerald-green vistas of the Upper Mekong River got a boost in domestic travel with the December 2021 inauguration of a Chinese-financed and -constructed
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If you are lucky enough to have made it to Luang Prabang in Northern Laos (travel is now possible again after a 2-year border closure) make sure you discover all the treasures of this UNESCO heritage town and unlock secrets and fascinating history with the help of a local guide. Here is a one-day itinerary.
A trip to Laos is the perfect opportunity to get off the beaten track in Southeast Asia. With thousands of years of history and dozens of colorful cities to explore, Laos is sure to capture the heart of any traveller. If you are planning a trip to this country, currently you need to organize it
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As Travel.com reports, Laos is one of the most overlooked and underrated destinations to visit in 2022. The lovely landlocked Laos is, more often than not, overlooked by Southeast Asia vacation hunters in favor of tropical beach destinations like Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia. But this alluring Southeast Asian republic can rival the rest of the
The place to go for ethnic tribes and culture, particularly the Khmu. Often overlooked there are some hidden gems to see if you are passing through.
Source: Vientiane Times Boun Hor Khaopadapdin is an annual festival during which the people of Laos “feed” spirits with home-made parcels of food, reflecting their love, respect and gratitude for their deceased ancestors and guardians. The festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the ninth month in the Lao lunar calendar. It is a
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The beginning of the Buddhist lent. Buddhist Lent is a period of three lunar months starting on the first day after the full moon of the eighth lunar month. It marks the beginning of the rainy season.
Garavek is a small theatre based in Luang Prabang, promoting and preserving local traditional myths, legends, and folktales. Every evening, from 6.30-7.30pm, they present a selection of traditional Lao stories (in English) in an intimate thirty seat theatre.
Lao new Year 14th to 16th April 2019
3 magical days in Laos for Pi Mai Lao (Lao New Year)
Laos Baci Ceremony, a Lao cultural encounter from the heart of the Lao people. Spending four nights in a very remote village in Laos is in many ways challenging, but even more rewarding. My colleague and I joined one of the World Volunteer groups in the village Ban Nongkhuay, in order to help them with
Experience the Lao New Year -the Pi Mai Lao in Luang Prabang – Lao water festival I spent my first week in Luang Prabang soaking wet from head to toe for the better part of every day. I have been blasted with water guns, had buckets of ice water poured down my back, had multi-colored
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Experience the Lao New Year in Luang Prabang I arrived in Laos about a week ago to find the country buzzing with excitement for the upcoming Laos New Year – called Pi Mai Lao, Boun Pi Mai, the Water Festival, or Songkran, as it is known as in Thailand. Knowing very little about the
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The Lao Hmong New Year in Luang Prabang “Easy. Just follow the crowds in traditional dress,” instructs Jua, one of my Hmong friends, when I ask how to find the Hmong New Year celebrations in Luang Prabang, Laos. Turns out it really is that simple. One crisp Saturday morning in early December I crest
Celebrate the end of Buddhist Lent! On the 20th of October there was Laos’ famous Festival of the Fire Boats or as they say in Lao Boun Lay Hua Fai. This festival marks the end of Buddhist Lent. For this festival, the villages around the area each make one large boat and decorate it with