Boat racing Boun Souang Heua is a local festival that takes place every year all around the country during 6 weeks, from end of August and beginning of October depending on the lunar calendar. Most Laos traditional boat racing festivals take place before the end of Buddhist lent. Dates vary from year to year, but most festivals are held on weekends. The first one happens in Luang Prabang at the Nam Khan River , at the exact half-time of the buddhist lent and finish the last day of the buddhist lent. They are the 2 more important of the year. The last race traditionally takes place at Ban Xieng Ngeun, about thirty kilometers from Luang Prabang, on the road to Vientiane.

Boat Racing Festival in Luang Prabang


Luang Prabang Boat Racing Festival 2019
Explore the beautiful town of Luang Prabang while one of their exquisite annual events is ongoing: Laos Boat Racing Festival! Get to see locals race in their traditional hand-carved boats made of just one tree. The local boat racers have practiced months to try and beat their opponents, and bring victory for the spiritual dragon Nagas, which helps to protect the beautiful country of Laos. Upon arrival, you will be met our local guide upon arrival and drive a short distance to the hotel. Participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms often in the form of stickyrice from the faithful residents. Return to hotel for breakfast. Lunch near the site. In the afternoon, go explore the Khouang Si Waterfall. Upon return to Luang Prabang, enjoy the sunset at Mount Phousi. Visit also the famous Night Market before transfer back to hotel.
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It is also a celebration of the spiritual Nagas dragons that help protect the country. The annual event, known as Souang Heua in Lao, is a festival where crowds gather along the banks of the Mekong River to cheer on long boats filled with 50 paddlers competitively race one another. Boat racers typically practice weeks if not months ahead of the festival. The boats that are used are traditional hand-carved out a single tree. They are housed in the village temples and only come out only once a year to participate in the race. These decorative boats are considered sacred, and are both cleaned and presented with offerings a few days before the race. While the boat racing is a symbol of entertainment and athleticism, the festival honors the water divinities such as the Nagas, the spiritual dragons that help protect Laos. On the day of the race, a traditional orchestra will play traditional songs near the river bank that accompanies the race.
In mid-term of the Buddhist Lent, at the time of the new moon, the biggest boat race takes place in the Nam Khan River, in the center of the town of Luang Prabang. It is a very popular event and many people from the countryside and all over the country take this opportunity to come in to town. The day before, a large street market will be held from 6 am to 12 am, located on the site of the old stadium, providing products from Thailand for a period of one week. July September Annual festivals Boat racing in Nam Khan River. These holidays, with that of Pimay and the end of Lent Buddhist, are the busiest of the year. Keep in mind this content. New moon day.