VIENTIANE, April 16 (Vientiane Times/ANN): The streets of Vientiane were quiet while Luang Prabang province witnessed large gatherings for the celebration of Pi Mai Lao or the Lao New Year.
The government’s announcements and orders aimed at preventing the spread of Covid-19 during the traditional celebration of the new year from April 14 to 16 appeared to have been better implemented by the residents of Vientiane and some other provinces.
Small numbers of people came out to celebrate Pi Mai Lao here.
According to a survey by Times reporters on Saturday, which was the first two day of the celebrations, there were no crowds on the streets in central Vientiane.
Before the Covid-19 outbreak in 2019, many people would be found on the main roads of the capital, including Samsenthai, Souphanouvong and Setthathirath roads, during the annual celebrations.
Some local residents said people living in Vientiane had left the capital to celebrate Pi Mai in other provinces.
Other provinces like Oudomxay, Khammuan and Savannakhet provinces were also not as crowded as Vientiane.
But in Luang Prabang province, people thronged the main streets, playing with water and enjoying the festivities.
The Pi Mai this year is marked by holidays lasting almost a week, and some local residents made plans to travel to different parts of the country, from the north to the south, to visit natural and cultural tourist attractions in line with the government’s guidelines asking Lao people to travel within the country for tourism. - Vientiane Times/ANN
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