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Fun-Soaked Times at the New Year Celebration in Vientiane, Lao
Published by Deanna Pagnan, Writer
Country: Lao People's Democratic Republic 
The Experience
Dancing under the splash of water hoses; dodging balloons filled with coloured water; smiling at a sea of faces painted with talcum powder—these are not your typical New Year festivities. Yet, this is exactly the celebration awaiting visitors to Lao’s capital city, Vientiane, during Bun Pi Mao Lao: the Lao New Year. Lao New Year celebrations last from April 13th–15th and are marked by a jovial water fight that the entire city takes part in. Quite simply, this was by far the most exciting and memorable Yew Year celebration I have ever experienced.
Arriving a day before the Lao New Year, the sleepy streets of Vientiane were quiet and offered no hint of the splash-filled revelry that would soon begin. Leaving the guesthouse the following morning (the first day of Lao New Year celebrations) I was greeted by a cheerful group of Laotian youth: dancing, drinking and dousing each other with water in the street. As a foreigner, I was a prime target for the water fight, and so I was immediately soaked by the group and invited to join their street party. After my first encounter with Lao New Year traditions, I quickly revised my travel itinerary so I could enjoy the full three-day fun-soaked Bun Pi Mao Lao.
The first street party that I encountered on Lao New Year was quickly outdone by the huge parade-like celebration being held on the Mekong riverside. The streets were lined with water-throwing revellers while decorated cars, trucks and “tuk-tuks” drove by blaring music and shooting surprisingly high-powered water guns at the crowds. No one is spared from the water’s reach, and I watched as children, professionals and even policemen laughed as buckets of water were poured over them. It's particularly entertaining to watch as travellers arriving in Vientiane found themselves and their backpacks unexpectedly drenched. Enthusiastic Lao New Year revelers even use talcum powder to paint the faces of those around them.
This massive Lao New Year water fight is more than just an excuse to get some much-needed reprieve from the hot summer sun. The sprinkling of water on one another symbolizes a cleansing of the past year’s troubles and the welcoming of a prosperous, healthy New Year. In addition to the cleansing water, Laotians also tie a white string around their wrists: a symbol of the New Year said to bestow good fortune.
Since most businesses and restaurants are closed for Lao New Year celebrations, we were honored to share New Year meals with the owner of the guest house and several others along the street. I have never received such friendly, accommodating treatment in a foreign country, particularly one in which I could scarcely communicate in. The contagious laughter of Laotians, and the uninhibited dancing and generous spirit made this Lao New Year festival a truly remarkable experience. Even though Thailand is often described as the “Land of Smiles,” I believe Lao is much more deserving of that title. I can think of no better way to bring in the New Year than to do it Laotian style.
Arriving a day before the Lao New Year, the sleepy streets of Vientiane were quiet and offered no hint of the splash-filled revelry that would soon begin. Leaving the guesthouse the following morning (the first day of Lao New Year celebrations) I was greeted by a cheerful group of Laotian youth: dancing, drinking and dousing each other with water in the street. As a foreigner, I was a prime target for the water fight, and so I was immediately soaked by the group and invited to join their street party. After my first encounter with Lao New Year traditions, I quickly revised my travel itinerary so I could enjoy the full three-day fun-soaked Bun Pi Mao Lao.
The first street party that I encountered on Lao New Year was quickly outdone by the huge parade-like celebration being held on the Mekong riverside. The streets were lined with water-throwing revellers while decorated cars, trucks and “tuk-tuks” drove by blaring music and shooting surprisingly high-powered water guns at the crowds. No one is spared from the water’s reach, and I watched as children, professionals and even policemen laughed as buckets of water were poured over them. It's particularly entertaining to watch as travellers arriving in Vientiane found themselves and their backpacks unexpectedly drenched. Enthusiastic Lao New Year revelers even use talcum powder to paint the faces of those around them.
This massive Lao New Year water fight is more than just an excuse to get some much-needed reprieve from the hot summer sun. The sprinkling of water on one another symbolizes a cleansing of the past year’s troubles and the welcoming of a prosperous, healthy New Year. In addition to the cleansing water, Laotians also tie a white string around their wrists: a symbol of the New Year said to bestow good fortune.
Since most businesses and restaurants are closed for Lao New Year celebrations, we were honored to share New Year meals with the owner of the guest house and several others along the street. I have never received such friendly, accommodating treatment in a foreign country, particularly one in which I could scarcely communicate in. The contagious laughter of Laotians, and the uninhibited dancing and generous spirit made this Lao New Year festival a truly remarkable experience. Even though Thailand is often described as the “Land of Smiles,” I believe Lao is much more deserving of that title. I can think of no better way to bring in the New Year than to do it Laotian style.
When to Go to Lao New Year
Odds n' Ends
If you plan on taking part in Lao New Year celebrations—you are going to get wet! I suggest wearing old, comfortable clothing and lots of sun screen. Waterproof bags are good to have on-hand to protect your camera, cash, and anything else you don't want getting soaked (and ruined). If you don't have a dive bag or a ziploc bag, some stores sell small waterproof bags that are just big enough to hold a camera and some cash.
A word of caution: coloured talcum powder contains a dye that is impossible to get out of clothing; so be sure to leave your best stuff at home.
A word of caution: coloured talcum powder contains a dye that is impossible to get out of clothing; so be sure to leave your best stuff at home.
Want a Guide?
- Green Discovery Lao
- book trips in Vientiane and Luang Prabang
Places to Eat
- Scandinavian Bakery
- If you're missing Western cuisine, head here for delicious baked goods, sandwiches and coffee.
Recommended Places to Stay
- Thawee Guest House
- 64 Ban Anu, PO Box 8815 Vientiane, Lao Peoples Dem Rep, 856-21-217903 (guesthouse does not have a website)
Additional Places to Stay Nearby
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More Experiences Nearby
- Party Your Socks off Tubing in Vang Vieng, Laos
- If you’ve had your fill of temples, treks or museums, or are just plain ready to party, Vang Vieng in Laos is the place to head for. All backpackers on the Southeast Asia route talk about the epic partying that goes on in this surprisingly tiny town. While everyone refers to it as “tubing in Vang Vieng,” there is in fact very little tubing that actually goes on. Instead, the banks of the Nam Song River are lined with bamboo hut bars, pounding speakers and dancing travellers all looking for a good time. When I first arrived in Vang Vieng, ...36 miles away.
Books and DVDs
Elsewhere on the Web
Media References
- Travel Guide Vientiane - NYTimes.com (newspaper)
- 36 Hours in Luang Prabang - NYTimes.com (newspaper)
- Laos: Untouched Asia - NationalGeographic.com (magazine)
- In Laos, It’s all About Weave - NYTimes.com (newspaper)
- Introduction to Laos - NYTimes.com (newspaper)
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Language Guides
Lao 
,
Mandarin
,
Vietnamese
are some of the languages spoken in Lao People's Democratic Republic. If you know of a freely available phrase book or podcast for one of the missing languages, let us know!
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