Laos' Vibrant Boat Racing Festivals Mark the End of Buddhist Lent

Every October, the excitement of the Lao people comes alive during the Boat Racing Festival, known as Boun Suang Huea. Celebrated nationwide, the festival in Vientiane draws locals and visitors to the Mekong riverside, where they gather to cheer for their favorite boat teams.

Written by Linh Yang (Local expert)

Updated on Jul 29, 2025

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The Laos Boat Racing Festival is a long-standing traditional event held annually throughout the three-month Buddhist Lent, which usually lasts from late August to the end of October. While the exact dates change yearly, most races happen on weekends, starting around midday and wrapping up by sunset.

The first major race is typically held in Luang Prabang around the midpoint of Buddhist Lent, followed by several others along the Mekong River and other waterways. The final race takes place in Vientiane. The first and last races are by far the largest and most important.

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Buddhist Lent, known as Vassa, begins on Khao Phansa Day (usually in July) and ends on Wan Ok Phansa (around October). During this period, monks retreat to temples for meditation, while laypeople make merit through offerings and observing religious precepts. The season concludes with festivals like boat racing and the candlelit float procession Lai Heua Fai.

*Lai Heua Fai (Festival of Light) in the end of Buddhist Lent*

Preparations begin weeks in advance, with villages forming teams and training daily on the river. Each boat is usually long and narrow, decorated with vibrant colors, and crewed by 20 to 50 rowers working in unison. Before the race, boats are cleaned and offerings are made as they are considered sacred.

On race day, crowds gather along the riverbanks to cheer for their favorite teams, accompanied by street markets, music, and festive celebrations.

More than just a sporting event, the festival honors the spirits of the river and marks the end of the rainy season, symbolizing unity, strength, and cultural pride in Lao communities.

Festival Schedule: Luang Prabang and Vientiane in 2025

While foreign travellers cannot join the races, they are warmly welcomed to witness the event. They can enjoy the energetic atmosphere, cheer for the teams, explore local food stalls, browse traditional markets, and engage in several cultural activities. Here’s the schedule in 2025 for travellers to experience Lao culture up close:

Laos' boat racing season begins on September 6 in Luang Prabang, with lively competitions held on the Nam Khan River near the town center. This opening event is festive, easy to access, and popular with both locals and tourists.

*The boat races in Luang Prabang in the Nam Khan River*

On October 7, the more traditional race takes place in Ban Xieng Ngeun, 30 km away, marking the end of Buddhist Lent in a more local, authentic setting.

*Boat racing festival - Final at Xieng Ngeun, 30km from Luang Prabang*

Finally, the season culminates in Vientiane on October 8, where the largest and most energetic boat racing festival unfolds along the Mekong River, drawing crowds from across the country for a full day of celebration.

*Boat racing takes place in Vientiane during the rainy season*

Since it is the rainy season, the waters are high and good for boating, the farmers are not overburdened with work, and tourist season is at a low point. This set of circumstances, and the fact that people have been waiting all year for this, creates a lot of excitement about the boat racing events.

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