UPDATES

Xaysomboun Province received over 10,000 visitors in the first nine months of 2020, bringing USD 159,195 in revenue to the province.

A total of 10,186 tourists visited Xaysomboun province during nine months of last year, according to a report by Pasaxon Newspaper.

These included 9,759 domestic visitors and 427 international tourists, despite disruptions caused by the Covid-19 outbreak.

Authorities in Xaysomboun have given the green light to a number of operators to study possibilities for developing tourist sites in the province.

Khamphay Sana Group completed a feasibility study on a project last year, with the aim of stimulating tourism in the region while promoting environmental conservation and rural development.

The group plans to include activities such as rock climbing, hiking, camping, and homestays in the activities it will provide atop Phu Bia Mountain.

Inthira Group is coordinating with the provincial departments of information, culture, and tourism and the provincial department of agriculture and forestry to study the feasibility of biodiversity tourism sites in the area, while Long Cheng Development Co., Ltd, is undertaking a technical-economic feasibility study and preparing for approval.

Vieng Avone Agriculture Development also recently completed a preliminary feasibility study on 3,000 hectares of land.

Xaysomboun Province now has two hotels, as well as 54 guesthouses, 70 restaurants, and 48 entertainment venues.

The Lao government states that unrest in Xaysomboun Province has now been resolved after the provincial governor submitted a report to the Eleventh Party Congress in January stating that authorities in Xaysomboun Province have worked hard to monitor and suppress occasional flareups.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2021/05/25/xaysomboun-sees-over-10000-tourists-in-2020/

Authorities in Laos have given the green light to Lao New Year celebrations (Boun Pi Mai Lao) this year, although strict Covid-19 prevention and control measures will apply.

According to a notice issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, people in Laos can enjoy celebrating Pi Mai Lao this year but must comply with measures for prevention and control of Covid-19.

Under the notice, the official holiday dates for Lao New Year across the country will be 14, 15, and 16 April.

Laos authorizes Lao New Year

Authorities say people may participate in the celebration with their families, at their workplaces, and at temples in accordance with Lao traditions.

However, outdoor entertainment venues, market fairs, or music and dance performances at river banks, temples, or other public places have been prohibited.

The use of unclean water, dyed water, or use of vehicles to splash water has also been prohibited.

The notice also states that the Miss New Year procession will not go ahead unless otherwise specified by authorities.

It is unclear whether the Luang Prabang Lao New Year events schedule, issued by the mayor of Luang Prabang yesterday, would fall under this category or not as it includes authorization for a Miss New Year procession in the city.

Meanwhile, the notice issued today states that authorities must monitor border crossings and keep an eye on the price of goods, which may see price hikes during the Lao New Year period.

Strict Covid-19 prevention guidelines issued by the national taskforce must remain in place during the festival, such as social distancing measures and provision of face masks and hand gel.

Lao New Year celebrations were canceled in 2020 due to the country going into lockdown as part of Covid-19 prevention measures ordered by the prime minister.

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2021/03/25/laos-officially-authorizes-lao-new-year-celebrations/

Much to the joy of everyone in Laos, the beloved Boun Pi Mai (Lao New Year) festival will be going ahead this year, after being canceled in 2020 due to the Covid-19 lockdown.

The mayor of Luang Prabang has released an official schedule of events:

Schedule of Events for the Lao New Year Celebrations in Luang Prabang

10 April
10:00, Jetski race in the Mekong

11 April
09:00, Traditional market fair opens at That Luang Field

13 April
07:30, Elephant procession from Wat Mai to Wat Xieng Thong

14 April
09:00, Various temples will bring out their Buddha images for local people to wash with lustral water

13:00, Building sand stupas on the island across from the mouth of the Khan River

Grand Procession of Miss New Year
Grand Procession of Miss New Year (Photo: Phoonsab Thevongsa)

15 April
14:00, Grand procession of Miss New Year from Wat That Noy to Wat Xieng Thong

19:00, Sprinkling lustral water over Buddha images at various temples around the city

16 April
05:30, Almsgiving ceremony at Wat Sene and then up Phousi Mountain

14:00, Grand procession of Miss New Year from Wat Xieng Thong to Wat That Noy

19:00, Naga and lantern parades descend from Phousi Mountain to the pond inside the National Museum, along with traditional Phalak Phalam dancing

Revelers enjoy water play in Luang Prabang (Photo- Christian Hogue)
Revelers enjoy water play in Luang Prabang town (Photo: Christian Hogue)

17 April
08:30, The Prabang is paraded out of Hor Prabang to Wat Mai

11:30, Provincial leaders and Miss New Year visit Pak Ou Caves to sprinkle lustral water on the Buddha images there

18 April
Worshippers sprinkle lustral water on the Prabang Buddha image at Wat Mai

19 April
09:00, The Prabang is paraded back to Hor Prabang from Wat Mai

20 April
09:00, The Phra Man Buddha image at Wat Xieng Thong is brought out of its chapel for washing

21-24 April
Worshippers sprinkle lustral water on the Phra Man Buddha image at Wat Xieng Thong

25 April
15:00, The Phra Man Buddha image is returned to its chapel

Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2021/03/24/luang-prabang-authorities-release-new-year-events-schedule/

FREE DOWNLOADS