Lao people gathering at a temple to mark the Ork Phansa Festival on Oct 7, 2025. - Vientiane Times/ANN
VIENTIANE: Buddhists across Laos came together this week for vibrant celebrations to mark Ork Phansa, the end of the three-month Buddhist Lent.
The two-day festival, filled with religious rituals, offerings and cultural activities, signifies the conclusion of an annual retreat by monks during the rainy season.
Buddhist Lent, which began in early July and concluded on Tuesday (Oct 7), is a sacred period when monks stay within their temples to meditate, study and perform religious duties.
During this time, laypeople traditionally refrain from hosting major celebrations, such as weddings or parties, out of respect for the spiritual observance.
With the conclusion of Lent, monks and novices are permitted to travel outside their temples, and families across the country are resuming social gatherings and community events.
In Vientiane and other provinces, temples were illuminated with candles and lanterns, and devotees offered alms and flowers in a display of devotion and gratitude. Local monks explained that the end of Lent is a time for rejoicing and for renewing faith and compassion among communities.
The festivities serve as a reminder of the deep spiritual roots that continue to unite Lao people through faith, family and tradition.
On Tuesday evening, Lao people, especially young couples, attended colourful Heau Fay ceremonies at local rivers, with bamboo boats being launched along with thousands of floating folded banana leaves bearing flowers, incense and candles, to pay homage to the river spirit and to dispel bad luck.
Young couples used bamboo boats to pray for their love, in the belief that the vessels floating down a river will make their relationship long-lasting. The candlelit boats created a stunning sight from the riverbank, as people made their way to the water’s edge to cast them adrift.
Some people marked the festival in their homes by lighting candles on their balconies and prayer altars, while some families folded banana leaves to resemble small traditional longboats and decorated them with flowers, candles, incense and balls of sticky rice.
A boat racing festival was organised along the Mekong river at Chan temple in Chanthabouly district, Vientiane. It is usually held every year, and many domestic and foreign tourists flock to the festival, showing interest in visiting in large numbers and having fun.
During the festival, there are many activities for the public to enjoy both day and night, including exhibitions and sales of domestic and foreign goods, with an emphasis on promoting outstanding local products, items from villages, districts and model households, and display of ODOP (One District One Product) items.
There are a number of business units and stalls that exhibit and sell goods and food items such as rice and grilled chicken, so that Lao people from all ethnic groups and foreign tourists can sample the local products. These stalls also promote local products and give a boost to tourism.
The boat race will start on Oct 8, with three events. Several teams have announced their intention to participate in the competition, including five traditional male boats with 55 competitors, three traditional female boats with 55 competitors, and four traditional male boats with 55 competitors. - Vientiane Times/ANN
