During the three-month period of Buddhist Lent, monsoon rains have swollen the rivers, allowing mythical water serpents, known as Nagas, to swim into the irrigated paddies. As the Lao wait for their rice to grow, they organize longboat races between neighboring villages in an attempt to lure...
The Lao Rocket Festival One of the most uniquely Lao holidays is the Rocket Festival. Taking place in the hottest time of year, just before the rice planting season, locals create rockets, known as bang fai, which are launched into the sky. To get a closer look, my friend Phou invited me to his...
The International Jazz Festival Vientiane is now a major event in Southeast Asia. The festival draws thousands of Jazz lovers and musicians from around the world. Champa Meuanglao spoke with Micka Perier, founder of the festival, to find out what makes it such a success. Good afternoon...
Each year throughout the country, between Lao New Year in mid-April to the beginning of the rainy season in June, Lao people celebrate in this hottest and driest period by launching homemade rockets (bang fai) into the sky to call for rain. The rockets are made in long lengths of PVC pipe or...
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