Vientiane Times

President Thongloun Sisoulith, watched by his wife Naly Sisoulith, pours perfumed water on a Buddha image at Sisaket temple in Vientiane on Tuesday April 14, marking the start of the Lao New Year (B.E. 2569) celebrations.

President shares in temple rites as Lao New Year festivities unfold

President Thongloun Sisoulith led Lao New Year (B.E. 2569) observances in Vientiane on Tuesday April 14, joining other Party and State leaders in temple visits as the nationwide celebration of Sangkhane Luang—the first day of the festival—got into full swing.
Ceremonies were held at Ongteu Mahavihara and Sisaket temples, where Buddha images were put on display to allow devotees to respectfully sprinkle water over them in a symbolic act of cleansing and renewal. The atmosphere in the capital was both festive and reverent, as people gathered at temples and along nearby streets to take part in both solemn rituals and merrymaking.

Politburo member and Head of the Commission for Information and Education of the Central Committee, Khamphan Pheuyavong, strikes a gong to mark the Lao New Year celebrations during the Hae Vor procession in Luang Prabang city on April 15.

Across the country, Lao New Year celebrations brought together communities in a vibrant display of tradition, blending religious observances with joyful water battles. The highlights unfolded in Vientiane and Luang Prabang, each offering distinct expressions of the national festival.
In the UNESCO-listed world heritage town of Luang Prabang, the annual Hae Vor procession on the day of Sangkhane Nao on April 15 drew thousands of participants and spectators, creating a joyful and colourful spectacle. The procession, a longstanding tradition in the former royal capital, began at Vat Mahathat (Thatnoy) and proceeded to Vat Xiengthong.
Nearly 40 groups representing provincial departments, districts, and villages took part, with more than 3,000 people contributing to the event.
Among the attendees was Politburo member and Head of the Commission for Information and Education of the Central Committee, Khamphan Pheuyavong, alongside former Party and government leaders, provincial authorities, local residents, and tourists.
Speaking on the occasion, Chairman of the Luang Prabang City Administrative Committee and Vice Chairman of the organising committee, Saveuy Silavan, explained the significance of the procession.
“The Hae Vor procession is a religious ritual shared by the multi-ethnic people of Luang Prabang and has been passed down for generations. Buddhist monks are invited to sit on ceremonial Vor (palanquins), allowing members of the public to pour scented water over them. This is followed by the Somma ceremony, in which people ask for forgiveness and blessings for prosperity, well-being, and good fortune,” he said.
This year’s parade featured 37 groups, including six ceremonial Vor for monks and around 300 novices. It also included the Nang Sangkhane (Miss Lao New Year) procession and delegations from Xiengngeun, Chomphet, and Pakou districts. Traditional figures such as Pou Yer Ya Yer, representing ancestral spirits, and the Sing Keo–Sing Kham lion characters led the procession, followed by elders bearing ceremonial offerings and representatives of government agencies, ethnic communities, and cultural groups.
The diversity of participants reflected Luang Prabang’s rich cultural heritage and enduring traditions, reinforcing the town’s reputation as a living heritage site where customs are preserved and celebrated annually.
The customary religious rituals and other traditional practices were organised countrywide, including almsgiving, Baci ceremonies, sand stupa building, and the bathing of Buddha statues, symbolising purification and renewal.
In Vientiane, the celebrations took on a more contemporary tone, with locals and visitors gathering in designated areas to enjoy live performances, water battles, and other social events, blending modern entertainment with traditional values.
Across the country, the festival unfolded in a spirit of joy and unity, as communities came together to honour tradition and welcome the New Year with hope for peace, prosperity, and renewal.

By Bounfaeng Phaymanivong
 (Latest UpdateApril 20, 2026)