Ok Phansa and the Festival of Lights in Luang Prabang
Late October, at the end of the green season
One of the most beautiful festivals in Laos. During the rainy season, monks devote themselves entirely to study and prayer. Processions and boat races mark the end of Buddhist Lent. Boats are built in each village, along with paper stars and flowers made by locals and monks. In Luang Prabang, people wear the traditional dress of their ethnic group to carry the flaming boats down to the Mekong, between the main street and Xiengthong Temple. Launching the dragon-shaped boats is an opportunity to make wishes by releasing small paper sculptures, flowers, and candles onto the river.
The That Luang Festival
In November, at the time of the full moon
One of the most revered festivals, especially in Vientiane. The whole country gathers around That Luang, the national symbol and most venerated temple in the capital. Early in the morning, monks gather in the galleries surrounding the golden stupa and receive offerings from the faithful before forming a procession from Wat That Luang to Wat Si Muang, carrying flower garlands and food offerings. Originally lasting 3 days, the festival now extends over a week, bringing together religious and laypeople who come to enjoy themselves under fireworks and to the sound of drums.
Pimai, Lao New Year
Mid-April, every year
This is undoubtedly the most interesting time of year to visit the country. For 3 days, it is Lao New Year, which coincides with the very popular Water Festival in Southeast Asia and, more particularly, in China. Homes are cleaned to ward off evil spirits. Song Kan Day is devoted to prayer and wishes. Buddha statues are sprinkled with consecrated water by the monks. People dress traditionally and feast around the temples. Today, the ritual has become a game, and everyone splashes one another not only during these three days but often for a week beforehand.
Hmong New Year
Late December
This northern Laos ethnic minority, also known as the Meo, celebrates New Year at the time of the December new moon. Evil spirits are driven away, making way for a joyful celebration. Young Hmong, dressed in their finest costumes, take part in one of the most important rituals for their community. Men and women stand facing each other and toss a ball amid the crowd. The aim is to meet one’s future partner, then marry after the new year. There are also bullfights and sports competitions such as crossbow shooting.
Boun Bang Fai, the Rocket Festival
Over 2 to 3 days in May
This festival probably originated in pre-Buddhist fertility rites intended to celebrate and encourage the arrival of the rains by sending handmade bamboo rockets filled with explosive powder into the sky. Each village organizes its own festival, with street dancing and processions in the pagodas. A true collective release, the streets fill with music. The last day is dedicated to the rocket competition, overseen by a jury that will decide the winner based on the rocket’s decoration, its size, and the height it reached in the sky…
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Why choose Asia Safari for your trip to Laos?
Asia Safari is not a generalist tour operator based in France. We have been on site, in Vientiane, for over 25 years. Our guides are Lao, our accommodations are hand-picked, and each itinerary is tailor-made. The result: a vibrant, fair trip, without unnecessary frills.
- Local French-speaking agency: we speak your language and know the country from the inside
- Zero intermediaries: you deal directly with the local team
- Truly tailor-made: no fixed catalog — each trip is unique
- 25+ years of experience: founded in 2002, Asia Safari assists hundreds of French-speaking travelers every year
How does our tailor-made service work?
1. You send us your request (dates, budget, desires, profile)
2. We build a proposal within 48 hours — day-by-day itinerary, accommodations, all-inclusive price
3. You refine it with us until the trip is perfect
4. We manage everything on site: guides, transport, hotels, activities
When to visit Laos?
The best period is October to April — dry season, pleasant temperatures. The rainy season (May to September) is also possible: lush landscapes and fewer tourists, but some roads can be difficult. Asia Safari advises you according to the region and type of trip.
Laos, the heart of your Indochina tour
Laos is often the surprise of a trip: uncrowded, authentic, with a quiet beauty. Asia Safari makes Laos much more than a stopover — we make it the central experience of your stay, before or after Vietnam, Cambodia, or Thailand.
Our most requested Indochina combinations
Laos + Cambodia: A classic — temples of Luang Prabang and Angkor Wat, Mekong and Tonlé Sap. 15 days minimum recommended.
Laos + Vietnam: Two contrasting countries — the calm of Laos and the energy of Vietnam. From Hanoi to Vientiane or vice versa.
Northern Laos + Yunnan: For travelers seeking originality — travel from Yunnan to Laos via the Laos-China railway (inaugurated 2021).
Grand Indochina Tour (40 days): Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand — a memorable trip for life.
Tips for preparing your multi-country tour
Visas: each country has its own rules — Asia Safari guides you through all procedures.
Ideal duration: allow a minimum of 12 to 15 days for a 2-country combination.
Seasons: seasons vary by country — we help you choose the best window.
Budget: prices vary greatly by country. Laos is cheaper than Vietnam or Thailand.
Our Story
Jean-Paul Duvergé arrived in Laos at the turn of the 2000s, fell in love with the country, and decided to stay. In 2002, he founded Asia Safari with a simple idea: to offer French-speaking travelers direct access to authentic Lao life, without the filter of large Parisian agencies. Since then, the agency has assisted thousands of travelers, built a network of trusted guides and partners, and refined its philosophy: rigorous tailor-made travel, serving authenticity.
What sets us apart
We are on site: Our team works from Vientiane. We know the roads, seasons, accommodations, guides — and what changed last week. No outdated brochures.
We speak your language: Asia Safari is a 100% French-speaking agency. All our communications, proposals, and guides speak French.
Zero intermediaries: You work directly with us. No central purchasing, no Parisian subcontractors. Fairer prices and higher service quality.
Tailor-made as our only model: We do not have standardized tours. Each trip is designed from scratch, according to your dates, budget, desires, and traveler profile.
Our commitment
Asia Safari actively supports responsible tourism in Laos: prioritizing local accommodations, tours that benefit village communities, respect for cultural and natural sites.
Laos in figures
Area: 236,800 km² | Population: approximately 7.5 million inhabitants | Capital: Vientiane | Official language: Lao | Religion: Theravada Buddhism (65% of the population) | Currency: Lao Kip (LAK) | Time zone: UTC+7
Laos must-sees
Luang Prabang: Former royal capital, a UNESCO World Heritage site, its golden temples, French colonial houses, and gentle way of life make it an undeniable favorite.
Vientiane: The human-sized capital — That Luang, Patuxai, and the banks of the Mekong are worth a visit.
Vang Vieng: Surrounded by limestone karsts, ideal for kayaking, caving, and hiking.
Southern Laos and 4000 Islands: Champassak, the Vat Phou temples (UNESCO), the Bolaven Plateau, and the Mekong islands.
Lao culture
Theravada Buddhism permeates all of Lao life. The alms giving (offerings to monks at dawn) in Luang Prabang is a daily ritual of great beauty. Lao festivals — Boun Pi Mai (Lao New Year in April), Boun Ok Phansa (Festival of Lights) — are exceptional times to travel.
Nature and biodiversity
Laos is 70% covered by forests. Its protected areas are home to rare species: Asian elephants, gibbons, sun bears. The rivers and plateaus offer natural settings of rare purity in Asia.
