VIENTIANE (Xinhua): Laos ushered in the first day of the Lao New Year on Tuesday with a lively atmosphere and vibrant nationwide celebrations that reflected the country's cultural traditions and festive spirit, while offering an occasion for families and friends to gather during the most important festival in the Lao calendar.
As the first day began, celebrations unfolded with vibrant cultural and traditional festivities across the country. Temples and monasteries nationwide brought out Buddha images for ritual ceremonies, creating a lively atmosphere while preserving peace, security, and Laos' cultural heritage.
In the Lao capital Vientiane, Buddha images were paraded along designated routes, allowing the public to take part in traditional water-pouring rituals to receive blessings.
In line with tradition, families across the country also gathered to pay respect to parents and elders, expressing gratitude and strengthening family bonds through water-pouring ceremonies during the nation's most important annual festival.
"For me, the Lao New Year is always about family. Every year, before going anywhere, all family members gather at home to pour water on our parents and elders. It is our way of showing gratitude and asking for blessings for the new year," said Lou, a Vientiane resident.
Beyond the ceremony, he said the atmosphere at home is filled with warmth, laughter, and togetherness.
After the family celebrations, he added, the holiday continues with a short trip planned with relatives. "We usually travel together after the New Year rituals. The trip allows us to relax and enjoy the holiday," he said.
Lou added that the festival is also a special time that helps families reconnect and start the new year with a fresh and positive feeling.
"I started the Lao New Year by joining the water-pouring ceremony with my colleagues at the office," said Touny, an office worker in Vientiane.
She said the celebration is a simple but meaningful tradition, where colleagues prepare flowers and scented water and take turns paying respect to one another, especially to senior staff.
"This year, I plan to visit nine temples to make merit and take part in water-pouring rituals in the afternoon. In the evening, I will meet my friends so we can celebrate together, share food, and enjoy the festive atmosphere," she said.
She added that the Lao New Year is not only an important festival in the Lao calendar, but also a time many people look forward to, as it brings a lively and refreshing atmosphere, especially with traditional water splashing that fills the streets with joy.
For many people who leave their hometowns to work in other provinces, the Lao New Year holiday is an important opportunity to return home and celebrate with family.
"I came back to my hometown in Luang Prabang to spend time with my family," said Khammy, an office worker in Vientiane who originally comes from northern Laos' Luang Prabang province.
This year, he also brought friends from Vientiane to join the celebrations in his hometown, hoping to share local traditions with them. Beyond family gatherings, he said the trip became a meaningful cultural experience shared between friends and relatives.
"During the festival, we will visit temples and walk around the town to join the celebrations," he said.
He added that the Lao New Year is not just a holiday, but a time to return home, reconnect with family, and share happiness with the people he cares about.
Lao authorities have introduced a wide range of measures to maintain public order, preserve traditions, and enhance safety during the Lao New Year holiday period, which will last from April 14 to 16. - Xinhua
