Lao New year (Pi Mai Lao) is one of the most important dates in the fifth month of the Buddhist calendar in the April 13th – 15th, although the celebration can last more than a week in towns like Luang Prabang. The weather in this month is the hottest of the year, so people throw water with blessing by Sok Dee Pi Mai or Happy New Year.

Today we will introduce you the frame of basic activities that Lao people prepare and celebrate yearly on this occasion. The main venue is in Luang Prabang.
1. Starting water throwing to passers-by on around the streets (9th or 10th April)
2. Traditional dance show and popular Lao folk songs at That Luang Ground (The old stadium on11th April night)
3. Beauty pageant contest of Nang Sang Khan (Miss Lao New Year) at That Luang Ground (12th April night)
4. Houses, altars, value belongings and temples are cleaned and renewal on13th April, the last day of the passing year (Sang Khan Louang)
5. Elephants procession from Wat Mai to Wat Xieng Thong, Luang Prabang
6. Market Fair in the big avenue of Luangprabang on early morning 14th is called rest day (Sang Khan Naow)
7. Thousands of Sand stupas are built on Mekong River beach and temples for fortune and having good luck in the afternoon 14th.
8. Tai Lue textile exhibition at the Pha Nom Village or weaving villages around Luang Prabang
9. Sai Baht to monks and Mount Phou si (alms offering ceremony) is taken place in the early day on 15th is the laos new year day (Sang Khan Khuen)
10. Nang Sang Khan Parade from Wat That Noy to Wat Xieng Thong as well as honoring procession all the Awards of Luang Prabang (15th late afternoon)

11. At the night time, traditional music and dance is held at the National museum.
12. Soo Kwan or Baci ceremony is carried out to welcome Lao New Year as well as to wish the elders good health and long life. (16th April is the welcoming New Year’s day)
13. On the following day, holy statue Prabang Image is brought from the national museum to Wat Mai for 3 days (watering ceremony) asking good luck for the coming year.
14. People visit Caves and water falls as picnic holiday.
15. Pra Marn watering ceremony at Wat Xieng Thong for 7 days, after 2 weeks.

Special Tips for you:
1. To secure all service for your holiday,  book flights and accommodation well in advance. Before/after Laos New Year, airfare Vientiane – Luang Prabang via versa will be increase as certainly.
2. Always keep passports, mobile phones and other valuables in a waterproof container, or leave them somewhere safe.
3. During Laos’ hottest season, most welcome getting soaking wet.