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Water splashing celebrations take place in the streets of the ancient capital of Luang Prabang.
Children are fascinated by water guns.
Among the destinations for the Bunpimay water festival, Luang Prabang – the former capital of the Land of a Million Elephants – is one of the most popular choices for tourists. Traditionally, the Bunpimay festival takes place over three days: the last day of the old year (April 13th), the first day of the new year (April 14th), and the second day (April 15th). However, activities such as the Buddha procession, bathing the Buddha statue, and parades are usually held on April 16th and 17th, thus extending the New Year's water festival with many exciting and attractive activities.
Ringing the bells to welcome the new year.
Luang Prabang is a peaceful and romantic ancient capital situated on the picturesque Mekong River. Simple wooden houses interspersed with magnificent temples create a magical allure for the city. During the Water Festival (Luang Prabang), the alms-giving ritual – one of Luang Prabang's most unique and famous cultural traditions – continues as usual in the mornings, with hundreds of monks lining the streets, alms bowls in hand, receiving offerings from the people.
Bathing the statue
Tie a string around your neck or wrist for good luck.
On the last day of the old year, the scene of local people and monks in their yellow and orange robes cleaning, renovating, and decorating their homes and temples makes Luang Prabang incredibly vibrant and evokes many emotions in visitors. On New Year's Day, April 14th, ceremonial activities are held at temples in the area, and then in the afternoon, many people cross the river to Ban Xieng Man to pray for blessings and good fortune, and to have fun by building sandcastles, dancing, drinking beer, and splashing water.
Procession and bathing of the statue
Street parade
New Year's offerings
Tourists immerse themselves in the Bunpimay festival.
Throughout the Lunar New Year celebrations, water is everywhere. Lao people believe that splashing water washes away the worries of the old year and brings good luck for the new. Thousands of people gather and flock to the ancient capital of Luang Prabang, forming groups, traveling together in pickup trucks or tuk-tuks, or walking around the streets, dancing, playing pranks, smearing themselves with powder and paint, and splashing water on each other as a way of wishing for good things to come in the new year.
A sandcastle with banners wishing for good luck in the new year.
Street performance
Local children excitedly splash water on tourists.
The monks cleaned and decorated the temple to welcome the new year.
Additional information:
The best time to attend the Water Festival in Luang Prabang is from April 13-17 every year.
+Transportation: From Vietnam, if you have plenty of time and want to save money, you can travel to Luang Prabang by land, taking a bus through the Cau Treo border crossing to Vientiane and then continuing on to the ancient capital of Luang Prabang. Alternatively, you can take the route via Vinh – Nam Can border crossing – Xieng Khouang to Luang Prabang, with an estimated cost of 1 million VND.
+ You can travel to Luang Prabang by direct flight for about 300 USD round trip. The airport is about 4km from the ancient capital, making it very convenient to get there.
Text: Black - Photos: B.Pearl
Smearing food coloring on each other's faces for good luck.
Peaceful, the teacher and student had a conversation at the beginning of the year.
Soot is also used in the festival.
Everyone was soaking wet.
