The Baci Ceremony

The Baci (sou khouan in Lao, meaning “spirit that strengthens or calls the spirit”) is a traditional ceremony in Laos. Its purpose is to bring good fortune to those in whose honor it is held. This popular tradition invites spirits to bring luck and prosperity into the life of the honored person. The Baci ceremony is performed for all kinds of everyday life events: weddings, deaths, births, departures or returns from journeys, illness, commemoration of an ancestor’s anniversary… Guests are always impeccably dressed and the ceremony includes people of all generations. During your trip to Laos, you may have the honor of being invited to take part in a Baci ceremony. This will be an opportunity for you to truly immerse yourself in the heart of Lao culture.

During the Baci ceremony, participants position themselves in a circle around the makbeng, the brightly colored floral sculpture (orange or yellow) to which white strings are attached and tied around each participant’s wrist. According to Lao belief, a person possesses thirty-two organs united together, each with a spirit (khouan in Lao) that protects them. If one of the spirits escapes outside the body, it causes an imbalance and can provoke illness. Hence the importance of performing this “spirit calling” ceremony. The cotton strings, which represent the connection between these 32 spirits and the body, thus restore harmony and bring luck and prosperity for a long and happy life. Other elements meant to bring good fortune are also included in the ceremony and shared among participants: cooked chicken, hard-boiled eggs, biscuits, or bananas.

Makbeng: The Jewel of the Baci Ceremony

During the Baci ceremony, participants position themselves in a circle around the makbeng, the brightly colored floral sculpture (orange or yellow) to which white strings are attached and tied around each participant’s wrist. According to Lao belief, a person possesses thirty-two organs united together, each with a spirit (khouan in Lao) that protects them. If one of the spirits escapes outside the body, it causes an imbalance and can provoke illness. Hence the importance of performing this “spirit calling” ceremony. The cotton strings, which represent the connection between these 32 spirits and the body, thus restore harmony and bring luck and prosperity for a long and happy life. Other elements meant to bring good fortune are also included in the ceremony and shared among participants: cooked chicken, hard-boiled eggs, biscuits, or bananas.

A makbeng is traditionally made from banana leaves, which are tightly woven and sometimes frangipani flowers. In the past, the makbeng used for a baci was approximately 60 to 70cm tall. But today, they can measure 120cm and come in various shapes and sizes. Makbengs are also at the center of offerings that worshippers make to temples when they visit to worship the “Buddha.” These days are determined by the lunar calendar. They are also an integral part of rituals during festivals, such as the That Luang festival. The pieces are bright and beautifully decorated. They embellish all Buddhist ceremonies, whether for a wedding, a departure, a housewarming, or welcoming guests.

A Timeless Tradition

On a warm day, Mrs. Feuang, 46, sits at her stall outside Vientiane’s Simuang Temple, patiently and delicately inserting banana leaves and orange flowers (marigolds) into a pot. This decoration is known as Makbeng. They are an integral part of all Buddhist ceremonies. Mrs. Feuang offers her delicately crafted pieces every day in front of the temple. Many are sold to people who come to pray. Today, even though she has had no customers, her hands have been busy preparing the perfectly woven ornaments. “Nobody has bought anything from me today, but I am hopeful of having customers very soon because at this time of year there are many ceremonies taking place,” she said.

A vendor at Thongkhankham Market keeps a photo album showing the different styles of makbeng made by family members. The photos show the different designs used, with prices depending on the complexity of the design. A vendor at Simuang Temple says that makbeng range from 20,000 to 800,000 kip. Traditionally, the makbeng was always adorned with marigolds, but nowadays roses and other flowers can be added, as well as some made of plastic. But in all cases, they must include marigolds. The makbeng used in Laos are similar to those made in Thailand. But those made in Thailand look less authentic. A vendor whose family makes modern-style makbengs said that some highly ornate pieces can cost up to 1.5 million kip. But despite the ever-increasing prices of these handmade pieces, their popularity shows no sign of waning. It is a Lao tradition that continues to flourish among people from all walks of life and in all corners of the country.

Travel to Laos with Asia Safari Laos

Our Tailor-Made Travel Ideas

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.