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 (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 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
Laos has become the only country in ASEAN with zero deaths attributed to the Covid-19 coronavirus.
Until last week, Cambodia and Laos had each recorded zero deaths from the Coronavirus, despite differing strategies for Covid prevention and control.
Cambodia suffered its first death from Covid-19 last Thursday in its biggest outbreak so far, after a 50-year-old man died from the virus at Phnom Penh’s Khmer Soviet Friendship Hospital. The man had been a driver for a Chinese national who lived in the town of Sihanoukville, according to reports.
Laos has now become the last country in ASEAN to record zero deaths from the virus and remains the country in the Southeast Asian bloc that has recorded the fewest cases of Covid-19, at just 49 cases.
While humble Laos has not received much international attention for its efforts, the country has received praise from representatives of international health organizations for its containment of the Covid-19 coronavirus.
“Lao PDR’s response to its first outbreak of Covid-19 was exemplary. The government anticipated the arrival of this terrible disease and did all the right things to stop it from spreading,” said Dr. Sobel.
“This undoubtedly saved many lives. It has been an honor for WHO to work with the Ministry of Health and the National Task Force Committee during this difficult, but successful, time in Lao PDR. But, as the Prime Minister has said, this is only an initial success. Covid-19 is still spreading in many countries around the world. We must all continue to prepare for the next wave of infections here.”
The country received praise again in October at the country’s Intra-Action Review meeting, with WHO’s Representative to Lao PDR, Dr. Mark Jacobs, commenting:
“The keys to Lao PDR’s success have been: clear leadership of the national response; clear proactive public communication; very early public health measures including lockdown; good acceptance by the community of these measures; and a focus on the border.”
The early success achieved by Laos’s quick action meant the country was able to gradually ease lockdown restrictions without seeing another big outbreak of the disease, virtually reverting to normal life for most citizens inside its borders.
Laos has already embarked on a vaccination campaign after receiving shipments of vaccines from China, Russia, and the COVAX facility.
Over 40,000 people have received at least the first doses of the vaccines in the country, including medical workers and at-risk groups. The second round of vaccinations is to take place in April, with the government calling on everyone to accept the vaccine.
About 20 percent of the population is to be vaccinated by the end of this year.
Meanwhile, a ban on certain flights remains in place, with the government instituting mandatory Covid-19 insurance and wrist monitoring devices for foreign citizens entering Laos.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Lao-People-in-Face-Masks-to-Prevent-Covid-19-in-Laos.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2021-03-31 10:57:352021-03-31 10:57:39Laos Only ASEAN Country With Zero Covid Deaths
Traveling with young children can be a wonderful experience as they are exposed to new cultures, environments, and activities. These family trips can create impressions and memories that stay with them for the rest of their lives.
With the holidays around the corner, many of you will be considering where to go with the family when school is out. Where many destinations cater only to one travel style, but you’ll find activities for the whole family in Southern Laos.
Here’s a list of the best holiday accommodation for families with school-aged kids that we’ve rounded up for you. Have fun!
Champasak Grand
Great for family staycations but still accessible enough if you want to do some sightseeing on your own. The hotel is situated close to the famous Dao Heuang Market where they sell pretty much everything from meat to jewelry. Also, around this area is where you can find (and ride) a three-wheeled bicycle called a “Samlor”. The Lao-Nippon bridge is just beside the hotel where you can get a stunning view of the Mekong and the golden Buddha of Phou Salao.
This hotel has a large children’s pool connected to their equally amazing adult pool – a very popular weekend spot for local expat families. Depending on what you’re hungry for, you can choose between a Chinese restaurant, Zhong Hua Lou, for their delicious roasted duck or Sa La Gang Kong, a riverside restaurant serving a wide range of local and international dishes. This accommodation also has the best breakfast buffet in town!
Phubachiang Golf and Resort
Another popular option in Pakse is Phubachiang Golf and Resort. The bungalows here are spacious enough to accommodate the whole family. The restaurant provides panoramic views of the magnificent mountain ranges and the sprawling gardens of this 400-acre property with an 18-hole golf course. Best of all, the pool area has a tall water slide perfect for kids and kids-at-heart. Maybe you can get around in too!
The River Resort
This luxurious resort in Champasak town offers riverfront and pond/garden villas. As an eco-friendly resort, they cultivate their rice paddy and vegetable gardens with organic matter from their compost pit and they even use solar-heated hot water in their kitchens! For nature lovers, there is the nearby “Parkland”, an expansive lush forest-garden full of native flora and fauna that the kids will enjoy, especially since some indigenous trees here are more than 25 meters tall. Guests can spend countless hours enjoying either one of their two infinity pools with Mekong views. The riverside restaurant serves scrumptious local and western cuisines, but we personally like their Thai dishes best. A true paradise for families, we could stay here for days on end.
La Folie Lodge
A charming lodge located on Don Daeng island across from Champasak town offers a rare opportunity to retreat from the hectic rush of busy streets. Some of the wooden bungalows here have stunning Mekong views and they even have a large private villa for rent – great for families. The pool is just perfect for kids: under the shade of palm trees and overlooking buffaloes trudging the sandy beaches surrounding the island. If you want to relax poolside with a good book and have drinks and snacks brought to you while the kids enjoy the water, then this is the place for you. The price of the accommodation includes boat transfers and breakfast plus extra small details like having a king-sized bed and eco-friendly toiletries.
Pon Arena
Pon Arena is a lavish hotel and restaurant serenely located at Muang Khong in the 4000 Islands area. This hotel features two outdoor pools and is conveniently placed on the main strip of the tourism area of Don Khong where guests can easily access restaurants either by foot or by bicycle. Another must-see is the former home of the governor which is now converted into the district’s museum.
Sengahloun Resort
Located on Don Khone island in the 4000 Islands area, Sengahloune resort offers garden bungalows next to the Mekong River. Their bungalows are made with local materials and are air-conditioned and spacious. It is highly recommended to cycle around Don Det and Don Khone to see the sights; just take a picture of the Si Phan Don cycling maps in one the businesses here or go to southern-laos.com/southern-laos-materials/ to download a free version.
Sinouk Coffee Resort
Sinouk Coffee Resort is a coffee lover’s paradise! Located in Thateng District, this luxurious resort in the Bolaven Plateau has a natural pool with a cascading mini waterfall. They also have a quaint and beautifully maintained garden and their coffee plantation is literally right in front of the guest rooms. The restaurant on the premises serves a variety of dishes, as well as world-class coffee.
Luang Prabang Authorities Release New Year Events Schedule
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
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
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/
Laos Only ASEAN Country With Zero Covid Deaths
Laos has become the only country in ASEAN with zero deaths attributed to the Covid-19 coronavirus.
Until last week, Cambodia and Laos had each recorded zero deaths from the Coronavirus, despite differing strategies for Covid prevention and control.
Cambodia suffered its first death from Covid-19 last Thursday in its biggest outbreak so far, after a 50-year-old man died from the virus at Phnom Penh’s Khmer Soviet Friendship Hospital. The man had been a driver for a Chinese national who lived in the town of Sihanoukville, according to reports.
Laos has now become the last country in ASEAN to record zero deaths from the virus and remains the country in the Southeast Asian bloc that has recorded the fewest cases of Covid-19, at just 49 cases.
While humble Laos has not received much international attention for its efforts, the country has received praise from representatives of international health organizations for its containment of the Covid-19 coronavirus.
Dr. Howard Sobel, World Health Organization (WHO) representative to Laos, applauded the government of Laos for its success in containing the country’s first Covid-19 outbreak in June last year.
“Lao PDR’s response to its first outbreak of Covid-19 was exemplary. The government anticipated the arrival of this terrible disease and did all the right things to stop it from spreading,” said Dr. Sobel.
“This undoubtedly saved many lives. It has been an honor for WHO to work with the Ministry of Health and the National Task Force Committee during this difficult, but successful, time in Lao PDR. But, as the Prime Minister has said, this is only an initial success. Covid-19 is still spreading in many countries around the world. We must all continue to prepare for the next wave of infections here.”
The country received praise again in October at the country’s Intra-Action Review meeting, with WHO’s Representative to Lao PDR, Dr. Mark Jacobs, commenting:
“The keys to Lao PDR’s success have been: clear leadership of the national response; clear proactive public communication; very early public health measures including lockdown; good acceptance by the community of these measures; and a focus on the border.”
The early success achieved by Laos’s quick action meant the country was able to gradually ease lockdown restrictions without seeing another big outbreak of the disease, virtually reverting to normal life for most citizens inside its borders.
Laos has already embarked on a vaccination campaign after receiving shipments of vaccines from China, Russia, and the COVAX facility.
Over 40,000 people have received at least the first doses of the vaccines in the country, including medical workers and at-risk groups. The second round of vaccinations is to take place in April, with the government calling on everyone to accept the vaccine.
About 20 percent of the population is to be vaccinated by the end of this year.
Meanwhile, a ban on certain flights remains in place, with the government instituting mandatory Covid-19 insurance and wrist monitoring devices for foreign citizens entering Laos.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2021/03/24/laos-only-asean-country-with-zero-covid-deaths/
Family Adventures in Southern Laos
Traveling with young children can be a wonderful experience as they are exposed to new cultures, environments, and activities. These family trips can create impressions and memories that stay with them for the rest of their lives.
With the holidays around the corner, many of you will be considering where to go with the family when school is out. Where many destinations cater only to one travel style, but you’ll find activities for the whole family in Southern Laos.
Here’s a list of the best holiday accommodation for families with school-aged kids that we’ve rounded up for you. Have fun!
Champasak Grand
Great for family staycations but still accessible enough if you want to do some sightseeing on your own. The hotel is situated close to the famous Dao Heuang Market where they sell pretty much everything from meat to jewelry. Also, around this area is where you can find (and ride) a three-wheeled bicycle called a “Samlor”. The Lao-Nippon bridge is just beside the hotel where you can get a stunning view of the Mekong and the golden Buddha of Phou Salao.
This hotel has a large children’s pool connected to their equally amazing adult pool – a very popular weekend spot for local expat families. Depending on what you’re hungry for, you can choose between a Chinese restaurant, Zhong Hua Lou, for their delicious roasted duck or Sa La Gang Kong, a riverside restaurant serving a wide range of local and international dishes. This accommodation also has the best breakfast buffet in town!
Phubachiang Golf and Resort
Another popular option in Pakse is Phubachiang Golf and Resort. The bungalows here are spacious enough to accommodate the whole family. The restaurant provides panoramic views of the magnificent mountain ranges and the sprawling gardens of this 400-acre property with an 18-hole golf course. Best of all, the pool area has a tall water slide perfect for kids and kids-at-heart. Maybe you can get around in too!
The River Resort
This luxurious resort in Champasak town offers riverfront and pond/garden villas. As an eco-friendly resort, they cultivate their rice paddy and vegetable gardens with organic matter from their compost pit and they even use solar-heated hot water in their kitchens! For nature lovers, there is the nearby “Parkland”, an expansive lush forest-garden full of native flora and fauna that the kids will enjoy, especially since some indigenous trees here are more than 25 meters tall. Guests can spend countless hours enjoying either one of their two infinity pools with Mekong views. The riverside restaurant serves scrumptious local and western cuisines, but we personally like their Thai dishes best. A true paradise for families, we could stay here for days on end.
La Folie Lodge
A charming lodge located on Don Daeng island across from Champasak town offers a rare opportunity to retreat from the hectic rush of busy streets. Some of the wooden bungalows here have stunning Mekong views and they even have a large private villa for rent – great for families. The pool is just perfect for kids: under the shade of palm trees and overlooking buffaloes trudging the sandy beaches surrounding the island. If you want to relax poolside with a good book and have drinks and snacks brought to you while the kids enjoy the water, then this is the place for you. The price of the accommodation includes boat transfers and breakfast plus extra small details like having a king-sized bed and eco-friendly toiletries.
Pon Arena
Pon Arena is a lavish hotel and restaurant serenely located at Muang Khong in the 4000 Islands area. This hotel features two outdoor pools and is conveniently placed on the main strip of the tourism area of Don Khong where guests can easily access restaurants either by foot or by bicycle. Another must-see is the former home of the governor which is now converted into the district’s museum.
Sengahloun Resort
Located on Don Khone island in the 4000 Islands area, Sengahloune resort offers garden bungalows next to the Mekong River. Their bungalows are made with local materials and are air-conditioned and spacious. It is highly recommended to cycle around Don Det and Don Khone to see the sights; just take a picture of the Si Phan Don cycling maps in one the businesses here or go to southern-laos.com/southern-laos-materials/ to download a free version.
Sinouk Coffee Resort
Sinouk Coffee Resort is a coffee lover’s paradise! Located in Thateng District, this luxurious resort in the Bolaven Plateau has a natural pool with a cascading mini waterfall. They also have a quaint and beautifully maintained garden and their coffee plantation is literally right in front of the guest rooms. The restaurant on the premises serves a variety of dishes, as well as world-class coffee.
Originally published in Champa Meuanglao Magazine.
Text by Southern Laos Marketing Taskforce
Photographs by SWISSCONTACT