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According to tradition, Lao New Year happens during the fifth month of the Buddhist calendar. It starts on the sixth day of the fifth month and ends on the fifth day of the sixth month. Lao New Year (Bounpimay, Bun Pi May or Pi Mai Lao) has many fun and lively activities everywhere, especially in Luang Prabang and Vientiane. This year, Lao New Year is on April 14th, 15th, and 16th, every year, with many traditional events and the excitement of the Lao people.
On the first day of Lao New Year (Bounpimay, Bun Pi May or Pi Mai Lao), in the morning, people clean and tidy their houses, and prepare scented water and flowers. The scented water is a mix of water, turmeric, grilled soapberry, Khun flowers, and perfume. The water is scented with flowers or natural fragrances.
In the afternoon, villagers gather at the temple to make offerings to Buddha, pray, and listen to monks give teachings. After that, people bring the Buddha statues out to a special area for three days and open it for everyone to come and pour water over the statues. The scented water that is poured on the Buddha is collected and taken home, because people believe it brings blessings and good luck. They sprinkle this water on the heads of their children, family members, and around the house, hoping it will bring happiness and good fortune to everyone.
On the first day of Lao New Year (Bounpimay, Bun Pi May or Pi Mai Lao) (Cre: THeo COurant)
The water splashing activity is the most special and symbolic ritual during this time. It is a way to wash away the bad things of the past year - such as bad luck, sickness, and mistakes and to start the new year clean and fresh. It also shows love, respect, and good wishes, especially when young people splash water on elders to wish them health, happiness, and long life.
According to Lao beliefs, the more water a person gets splashed with and the wetter their clothes are, the happier they are. People believe this means they will have lots of good luck in the year. It also shows that many people like and care about them.
The water splashing activity is the most special and symbolic ritual during this time (Cre: Tap chi Viet-Lao)
Read more: Travel Guide to Lao New Year 2025: Experience Boun Pi May Festival
Another activity during this time is building sand stupas. People go together to the riverbank, collect sand, and bring it back to build small sand mountains around big trees in the temple yard. The sand is shaped into stupas. The biggest stupa is made in the center, with smaller ones around it.
At the top of the sand stupas, people put colorful flags made from cloth. Some people also decorate the top and sides with five-colored threads. Children run around the sand stupas, while adults watch, talk happily, and pray that the new year will bring many blessings - just like the many grains of sand on the stupa.
Another activity during this time is building sand stupas (Cre: Laos Simple Beautiful)
During the Bunpimay festival, Lao people often release fish, birds, and turtles to do good deeds. They believe this brings happiness, just like the Buddha’s teaching: “If you do good, you will receive good. If you do bad, you will face bad things,” or “You reap what you sow.”
The parade of the Spring Princess (Nang Sangkhane) is an old tradition in Laos. It comes from a legend about a clever young man named Thammabane Cuman, who could understand bird language, and Kabinlaphom, a wise four-faced god of the sky.
Today, before the Bunpimay festival, people hold a beauty contest to choose seven girls who are not only beautiful but also kind, hardworking, and smart. From these seven, one outstanding girl is chosen to be Nang Sangkhane.
A big parade happens during Lao New Year. On this day, the chosen girls sit on a beautifully decorated float. Nang Sangkhane sits in the middle, on the back of a holy animal that represents the zodiac of the new Lao year. The six other girls sit on both sides of the animal, three on each side.
In the parade, people wear masks of Pu Nho and Nha Nho, who are believed to be the first man and woman of the Lao people. A long line of people follows the parade, walking, dancing, and singing with loud drums. People on the streets smile and splash water on the parade, giving each other the best wishes for the new year.
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The parade of the Spring Princess (Nang Sangkhane) is an old tradition in Laos (Cre: Kampa Tour)
Larb is an important dish during Lao New Year. It is a traditional Lao food that symbolizes good luck and prosperity. Larb is made from meat, fresh herbs, and spices. It is simple to make but full of flavor.
Besides Larb, sticky rice (Khao Niew) is also a must-have dish on the Lao dining table. It is made from soft, glutinous rice and is usually eaten with other dishes like Larb, grilled chicken, and papaya salad (Tam Som).
Larb is an important dish during Lao New Year ( Cre: Du lich Okela)
The wrist-tying ceremony (Baci ceremony) is a spiritual tradition to wish health and good luck to the person receiving it. During New Year, people tie strings on each other’s wrists and give their best wishes. The string is usually white, which stands for purity and peace.
Bun Pi May is not only a festival to welcome the New Year, but also a time for the Lao people to show their cultural beauty and good values. These are reflected in traditional customs, rituals, and in the way people live and treat one another.
From cleaning and decorating their homes with Champa and Golden Shower flowers, to bathing Buddha statues, tying sacred threads on wrists, releasing animals, and giving blessings to parents and elders - all these actions show respect, gratitude, and the wish for a peaceful, prosperous new year.
The cultural beauty and kind spirit of the Lao people during Bun Pi May have been recognized and appreciated by international friends. This has helped promote the image of Laos to the world, attract tourists, and encourage cultural exchange between countries.
The Cultural Beauty and Good Qualities of the Lao People (Cre: Southeast Asia Globe)
Bun Pi May is also a time when Lao people express unity, kindness, and care for each other. They splash water together to wish for luck, health, and peace. They share traditional dishes and take part in fun activities, creating a joyful and lively atmosphere. Bun Pi May not only strengthens community bonds within Laos but also showcases the nation's beauty to the world, inviting others to experience its charm and hospitality.
Read more: Discovering the most attractive events and festivals in Laos
