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?
With Asia Safari, you plan your tailor-made trip directly with a local English-speaking team. Our agency has been based in Vientiane since 2002. Its founder, Jean-Paul Duvergé, has worked in Laos since 2000. 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 English-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
- Since 2002, Asia Safari has been creating tailor-made journeys in Laos, drawing on the experience its founder has gained in the country since 2000.
How does our tailor-made service work?
1. You send us your request (dates, budget, desires, profile)
2. We send you an initial response within 24 working hours, followed by a detailed proposal within 48 working hours of receiving the necessary information: your itinerary, accommodation and a quote specifying the services included.
3. We refine the proposal together, adjusting the itinerary, accommodation and activities to suit your expectations and budget.
4. We coordinate the services included in your itinerary on the ground: guides, transport, accommodation and activities.
When to visit Laos?
From November to February, the weather is generally drier and temperatures are milder. March and April are often hotter. The rainy season, from May to October, brings lush green landscapes; we adapt the itinerary and transport to local conditions.
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 travel ideas for Laos and neighbouring countries
Laos + Cambodia: from the temples of Luang Prabang to Angkor, shape a journey combining cultural heritage and Mekong scenery. A visit to Tonlé Sap can complement the itinerary, depending on your interests and the time available.
Laos + Vietnam: Two contrasting countries — the calm of Laos and the energy of Vietnam. From Hanoi to Vientiane or vice versa.
Northern Laos + Yunnan: from the landscapes of Yunnan to the mountains of northern Laos, the Laos–China railway can connect some of the stops on your journey. We plan the route with you, in either direction.
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.
Duration: we adapt the number of stops to the time you have available. For a trip combining two countries, we consider the regions you want to explore, travel between destinations and your preferred pace.
Seasons: seasons vary by country — we help you choose the best window.
Budget: the cost of a multi-country trip depends on its length, the season, the number of travellers, accommodation and transport between destinations. We prepare a personalised quote specifying the services included and any expenses to budget for separately.
Our Story
Jean-Paul Duvergé has worked in Laos since 2000. In 2002, he founded Asia Safari in Vientiane to design tailor-made trips in Laos and Indochina. Today, the agency’s French-Lao team plans each itinerary with its travellers and coordinates arrangements on the ground with its local guides and partners.
What sets us apart
A team on the ground: based in Vientiane, we plan your trip using our knowledge of Laos and information from our local partners. We take the seasons, travel conditions and accommodation into account when designing your itinerary.
We speak your language: our team supports you in English, from planning your trip to assistance during your stay. English-speaking guided visits are arranged according to your itinerary.
Direct contact with our team: you speak with the people who plan your trip and coordinate its organisation on the ground. Your quote specifies the price of your trip and the services included.
Tailor-made journeys: our suggested itineraries are starting points. We adapt the destinations, pace, accommodation and activities to your dates, wishes and budget.
Our commitment
We give preference to local accommodation providers and partners. When visiting villages, we take care to respect residents and their customs. Our approach also aims to help preserve the cultural and natural sites that make Laos special.
Laos in figures
Laos covers 236,800 km² and had a population of around 7.9 million in 2025. Its capital is Vientiane, its official language is Lao and its currency is the Lao kip (LAK). Theravada Buddhism is the main religion. The country is in the UTC+7 time zone.
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 has an important place in Laos, alongside a variety of cultural traditions. In Luang Prabang, the monks’ morning alms round is a religious ritual to observe with discretion and respect. Boun Pi Mai, Lao New Year in April, and Boun Ok Phansa, which marks the end of the Buddhist rains retreat, are among the events that shape the year.
Nature and biodiversity
The forests and protected areas of Laos are home to a variety of wildlife, including Asian elephants, gibbons and sun bears. Rivers, mountains and plateaus offer many opportunities to explore nature.
