Lao New Year Guide in 2024: Sok Di Pi Mai!

Every year, as the yellow cassia flowers of Dook-khoun fall in clusters throughout the Land of a Million Elephants, Laotians eagerly prepare to celebrate the New Year. This tradition, also known as the water festival or Boun Pimay, symbolizes the growth of life.

Celebrated with family and friends around the world, the grandest festivities occur in Laos. Join me in exploring this traditional holiday, its origins, the unique traditions of the Laotian New Year, and get ready to say, 'Sok Di Pi Mai' (Happy New Year)!

Written by Tieu Bao (Local Expert) Updated on 18-07-2024

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1. What do you know about the Laotian New Year?

The Laotian New Year, also known as Boun Pimay or Pi Mai, is celebrated every year in mid-April. In 2024, Laos celebrates the Laotian New Year from April 13 to 16. Laos, following the Buddhist calendar based on the solar year, sees the start of the new year when the Sun enters the sign of Aries. This festive occasion has been celebrated for thousands of years, traditionally from April 13 to 15, marking the hottest month of the year and just before the rainy season. During this time, people splash water praying for good luck and peace throughout the year. 

Just like Songkran in Thailand and Khmer New Year in Cambodia which occur at the same time, the Boun Pimay, Bun Pi May festival symbolizes freshness, prosperity, happiness and purity in human life. Boun Pimay offers an opportunity to nurture and promote national arts. 

The custom of splashing water on Bun Pi May, a traditional New Year's Day in Laos also has the characteristic that during these days, regardless of whether they are familiar or unfamiliar, regardless of their social status, all guests are equally welcomed and shown appreciation by the hosts through the pouring of "gourds" of water over them when visiting.

Those who are splashed with water feel joyous, their clothes soaked, believing that they will encounter much luck in the year ahead, and also seeing it as evidence of being loved by many.

2. How do the three days of Boun Pimay celebration take place?

• Last day of the year (April 13): Sangkhan Luang

During the festivities, locals clean their homes, prepare flowers and scented water for the statues. Sand towers symbolize Phoukhao Kailat, accumulating merits. The temples are beautified by the sweeping and arrangement of the gardens. The Buddha images are displayed to be watered by devotees during the three days of Pi Mai. 

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During this ceremony, people and monks pour water mixed with perfumes and flowers onto the statues for blessings and good wishes. The scented water, now considered holy, is taken home to wash away bad luck from the house and family members. On the first day of the year, besides the custom of splashing water, there are also many fun activities associated with rivers and waterways, among which the liveliest are boat races. Almost every province holds boat racing festivals. Each region has its own different types of beautifully decorated and unique racing boats.

• First day of the new year (April 14): Sangkhan Nao - the “dayless” day

The first day of the holiday in Laos, called "day without a day", is special because it is neither part of the old nor the new year. Laotians take the opportunity to organize the celebration by cleaning their homes, preparing food, and offerings for the Buddhist monks. At the temple, monks take Buddha statues from 'Ceem,' 'Salahongtham,' and other buildings, placing them in a small, colorful house for the 'Song Pha' Ceremony.

The most common are dragon boats, some are intricately carved from precious ancient trees in the deep forest, some are adorned with gold paint and inlaid with intricate patterns. The rowers wear colorful uniforms, their paddles flashing in unison... The boats ride the waves, firstly participating in the annual meeting celebration of the representatives from the deep forests with the large flow of the Mother River to express gratitude to the Water Deities and ancestors who have blessed them with peace and prosperity, ensuring smooth business and harmonious coexistence. 

On this day, family members, relatives, and friends gather for Baci ceremony to welcome the New Year, calling back the souls that represent different parts of the human body. At the Baci ceremony, Lao people tie white thread around each other's wrist and wish one another love, peace, prosperity, longevity, good health, and happiness.

>>>>  For more information, please read: The Baci Ceremony in Laos: A National Spiritual Ritual

• Second day (April 15): Sangkhan Kheun Pi Mai - marks the start of the new year in Laos

The third day of the Laotian New Year marks the official start of the celebrations. People express their wishes before splashing water on each other, a gesture of respect between young and old, friends, and even towards objects and animals. This tradition symbolizes good luck and is associated with happiness and health in the new year. 

Lao people also visit temples to make offerings to monks and free animals like birds and fish from cages, a practice believed to cast away sickness and bad luck. Additionally, the Nang SangKhan (Lao New Year Princess) is chosen and paraded around the town in a grand procession, accompanied by traditional dances and performances.

The Nang Sangkhan pageant is a cherished tradition during Lao New Year, symbolizing the deep-rooted values and rich mythology of Laos. This unique procession honors the seven daughters of King Kabinlaphom, each representing a day of the week, and their role in upholding ancient customs. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the pageant serves as a reminder of the importance of filial piety, respect for ancestors, and community harmony during this joyous time of renewal.

3. Customs and activities during the Boun Pimay Festival

• Customs linked to water in celebrations

According to the theory of the five elements, water is a pillar of the universe, a source of life and renewal. In some Asian countries such as Laos, Cambodia and Thailand, water is chosen as a symbol for its perceived ability to drive away evil spirits, bringing luck and happiness, and offering wishes for a prosperous and happy new year. For this reason, New Year in these countries is often called the water festival.

>>> Are you planning to visit Laos? Why not check out our Detailed Laos Budget 2024!

One of the significant preparations to welcome the new year and bring blessings to people is the ritual of bathing the Buddha statue, a solemn purification in countries where Buddhism is the national religion. People use bouquets of khun flowers or simply their hands to sprinkle scented water, often made from jasmine, chrysanthemums and other fragrant flowers, on the statues.

Another custom, considered a key activity of the festival, is splashing water. Laotians consider that those who wet themselves abundantly during this period will be lucky. Although the origin of this festival is linked to agricultural life and the cultivation of wet rice, it is also imbued with rich legends with religious connotations. The custom of splashing water during the New Year in Laos warmly welcomes all guests, whether foreign or familiar, whether they have a special social status or not.

During these days, Laotians also participate in a ritual of releasing animals such as turtles, fish, crabs, birds, etc., hoping to receive blessings and praying for the new year to be blessed. People believe that during the New Year, even animals deserve to be free.

• Baci ceremony

Alongside the water splashing ceremony, Laotians celebrate an exceptional custom: the wrist thread tying ceremony, also known as Baci. At the origin of this tradition, colorful threads loaded with wishes for happiness and health are carefully tied around the wrist of the person concerned.

These threads are obtained at the temple, where monks perform meticulous knotting. Each thread has a unique color, sometimes adorned with multiple shades. The monks respectfully offer their blessings to the sons during prayers dedicated to Buddha. This is why these threads are considered sacred and bring good luck. Families then choose colored threads according to their preferences. During the three days of the Laotian New Year, one who wears many threads tied around their wrists is considered particularly lucky for the whole year.

• Sand tower

Laotians usually get together to build sand towers. The sand is transported to the temple courtyard, then carefully decorated before being offered to the monks as a sign of respect.
This sand tower is richly decorated with flags, flowers, white fabric garlands and drops of scented water. It depicts Mount Phoukaokailat, where the seven daughters of Kabinlaphom worshiped their father's head and offered their prayers for health and happiness during the New Year.

• Taste “Laap”, the culinary essence of the Laotian New Year

In Laos, the traditional Boun Pimay dish is "Laap", made from pork, chicken or beef, accompanied by the essential sticky rice. In Lao, “Laap” means “good fortune”. Laotians consume this dish with the hope of seeing good fortune, prosperity and luck accompany their entire year.

• Traditional Laotian New Year outfits

During the Poun Pi Mai New Year, Laotian women don the Sinh, a traditional silk and cotton skirt decorated with exquisite designs. This garment, worn every day, takes on a particular elegance on special occasions, accompanied by blouses, silk skirts, jewelry and accessories such as the suea pat and the pha biang, a diagonally draped shawl.

On the other hand, Laotian men prefer Salong, loose pants in various shades. Combined with a shirt, white socks and a pha biang, the Salong is a key element of traditional men's costume. Some men also opt for the "yao" or "hang", a twisted and finely embroidered wrapped silk skirt, requiring more time and effort to make.

Often, people make necklaces with Champa flowers, a symbolic flower of the "land of a thousand elephants", which they wear in their hair. Additionally, they hang yellow cassia flowers in the house or car during the New Year, expressing good luck wishes, as the yellow color of this flower symbolizes luck and prosperity. Laotians also have the custom of giving silk fabrics and scarves to the elderly during this festival.

• Other celebrations

During the festival, the abbot guides monks, nuns and villagers to pick fresh flowers to bring to the temple to honor Buddha. While picking, people play drums and other traditional musical instruments.

Boat races are organized on the river. Processions take place in all localities, but the most famous is the Nangsangkhane procession in the ancient capital of Luang Prabang, where seven girls represent the seven children of Kabinlaphom.

4. Where to celebrate the Laotian New Year?

• The capital of Vientiane

Vientiane, the capital of Laos, is a city that I have had the pleasure of visiting several times. My feelings about it differ from those I have for bustling and grandiose metropolises like Bangkok (capital of Thailand) or Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam). Vientiane presents itself more as a small town, but it is precisely this characteristic that gives the place a unique and calm atmosphere. In the New Year the capital becomes more colorful with many flowers, typical decorations,...

During the traditional Boun Pimay in Vientiane, the atmosphere is imbued with intense heat, under a scorching sun exceeding 35 degrees Celsius. However, rest assured because this is the perfect time for Laotians to celebrate their traditional New Year. Indeed, it is also the water festival, an occasion where water brings you refreshment and joy!

Among the must-see attractions in Vientiane that I recommend visiting during your stay are the avenue along the Mekong River, lined with many restaurants and cafes, especially the magnificent night market; Patuxai - the impressive triumphal arch; and Wat Si Saket – the most sacred Buddhist temple in the capital. Located 25 km from the city center, the Buddhist park housing 200 Buddha statues is also an ideal destination to explore.

• The ancient city of Luang Prabang

If Vientiane embodies the political capital of Laos, Luang Prabang, the old capital, remains the cultural heart of the country, preserving its authenticity. The atmosphere exudes serenity and cultural richness, making this place the perfect getaway for a short but deep immersion in Laotian culture.

Strolls through ancient lanes in the early morning, the smell of wood stoves, the flavor of food, distant temple chants, the peaceful Mekong River and friendly smiles. The cafes are hidden behind bamboo forests, creating a warm atmosphere. You will not be disappointed. In Luang Prabang, don't miss a scenic sunset river cruise, the majestic Kuang Si Waterfall, ancient religious temples, including the famous Wat Xieng Thong, and the Royal Palace Museum.

Exploring the Pak Ou Caves is a must-do experience during the Laotian New Year. These caves are home to more than 4,000 Buddha statues left by worshipers over millennia, nestled in a spectacular limestone cliff where the Mekong meets the Nam Ou River.

The cuisine of Luang Prabang is a delight, with must-try traditional Laotian dishes such as Lap (Laotian tartare), Tam mak houng (green papaya salad), Mok pa (Laotian-style fish papillotes), and much more. To complete your experience, Luang Prabang's night markets offer a perfect opportunity to acquire traditional crafts and savor local street food.

• Vang Vieng

In Vang Vieng, the calm of a city of wild beauty has many surprises in store. Located 150 km from Vientiane, this small town surrounded by mountains, forests and rivers offers a peaceful atmosphere and a multitude of outdoor activities for visitors.

Although lacking in elaborate architectural works, Vang Vieng attracts a large number of tourists each year, far outnumbering the local population, thanks to its quiet and light entertainment. Here, nature takes center stage, whether by bike, in a hot air balloon, or by kayak along the river.

Read more: Vang Vieng: A Memorable Break in the Heart of Nature and Adventure

5. Practical tips for a successful trip during the Laotian New Year

If you are planning to visit Laos during the Boun Pimay festival, from my practical experience I recommend booking your tickets at least two months in advance, as it is the peak tourist season in the country at this time.

Another point to note is that on Boun Pimay most people get wet. However, it is crucial to respect certain rules during the festival:

• Avoid splashing water on the monks.
• Exercise caution when joining water fights to avoid accidents. Respect local rules, like refraining from spraying water on non-participants such as the elderly or monks. Use clean water responsibly, avoiding wastage.
• Try not to get shot directly in your ears or eyes it can lead to infections. 
• Avoid using colored powder during Songkran, as these products can be toxic and cause skin and eye irritation. It's safer to opt for water splashing instead.
• Do not drive under the influence of alcohol or intoxicants; congested roads during the festivities pose significant risks.
• Respect fellow participants by not targeting unwilling participants or using forceful water jets or dangerous objects during celebrations.

Finally, just like me, enjoy the lively and joyful festival to the fullest, and participate with enthusiasm. Feel free to use the traditional New Year greetings, either “sok di pi mai” or “sabai di pi mai”, both meaning “Happy New Year”.

6. Are there other festivals that come next after Lao New Year?

Yes, there are. A prominent and special festival that is celebrated right after Lao New Year is Bun Pang Fai (Rocket Festival), around May and June, which also coincides with the starting of plantations. This day is a ceremony with merit-making traditionally practiced by ethnic Lao people to celebrate and encourage the coming of the rains, wishing for a blessed harvest.  

Bun Pang Fai is now held in nearby villages such as Naxon, Natham, Thongmang, Ban Kern, and Pakkagnoung instead of Vientiane or the bank of the Mekong River in the capital due to safety concerns. 

So if you're in Vientiane around this time, don't hesitate to take a trip and join the joyful crowd.

Our last words,

As a Southeast Asian nation, Laos celebrates the Laotian New Year deeply imbued with the cultural identity of the "land of a million elephants. Boun Pimay Tet offers locals an opportunity to express their love, their respect and commitment to the preservation and promotion of traditional cultural values. Come and discover Laos, a beautiful and peaceful country, its sincere and friendly people, and the gentle beauty of its traditions. I wish you a very happy Boun Pimay!

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