Lao Voices

Residents and tourists in Vientiane joyfully welcomed the New Year during three days of celebrations from April 13-15.

City roadsides were transformed into music stages as people held parties in front of their houses.

Most of them were teenagers who danced on benches and tables and there were also girls dancing on pick-up trucks driving on main roads.

Many people visited temples to pour perfumed water over Buddha images and then collect this water to take to their homes for good luck.

Baci ceremonies were held throughout the city and people tied string around each other’s wrists to wish good luck for the future.

(Photo) Vientiane residents collect perfumed water which has been poured over Buddha images at Ong Teu temple. This water brings good luck.

People splashed water at each other as a way of wishing good luck, although some got carried away.

“The atmosphere for the celebration of this New Year was more enjoyable than last year,” Vientiane Police Headquarters Chief Colonel Sihoun Sithiluexay said.

“Meanwhile, road accidents were also reduced from 60 to 49.”

Setthathirath, Luang Prabang and Samsenthai roads are the sites of major temples and entertainment venues in Vientiane . People on these streets admitted they were caught up in the entertainment provided by water fights, and said they forgot the police warnings and the fact their actions could cause accidents.

Colonel Sihoun told Vientiane Times yesterday the mirrors of four cars were damaged by plastic bags but thankfully the owners were able to resolve that problem by themselves.

The number of Lao people and foreigners who came to celebrate the Lao New Year this year increased in the major provinces of Laos such as Luang Prabang, Savannakhet and Vientiane provinces.

“So many foreigners and people from throughout the country came to visit our province, and I can say there were more people than last year,” said Deputy Head of Luang Prabang Tourism Ad ministration Department Mr Khamtan Somphanvilay.

He said the outstanding activities in Luang Prabang included the Miss Sangkhan procession through the town.

In Vangvieng district in Vientiane province activities included kayaking, canoeing and boat racing competitions on April 12.

There was also a trade fair, the Miss Sangkhan procession and live bands at the caves near the Xong river, where people could bathe.

In Savannakhet province the number of visitors also increased. Most tourists were Vietnamese, Thai and Lao people, said Head of Savannakhet Tourism Administration Department, Ms Bounmy Khantivong.

She said their activities included the Miss Sangkhan procession, Basi ceremonies and alms giving on April 13.

By vientiane times
April 17, 2008
Vientiane Times - Vientianetimes.org.la