City joyfully welcomes New Year 2020

New Year’s Eve saw government officials, citizens and visitors to Laos give a rousing welcome to the year 2020 when they gathered in Vientiane and throughout Laos to celebrate the occasion and count down to the start of a new decade.
A wide range of musical offerings was available to get everyone in the party mood, including a Lao song expressing good wishes for Happy New Year 2020, along with traditional and modern dancing.

The activities were hosted by the Vientiane Administration Office and attended by the city’s Deputy Mayor, Mr Sihoun Sitthileuxay, senior government officials and representatives of the many companies who supported the event.
The occasion also marked the 460th anniversary of Vientiane as the nation’s capital, as well as celebrating the success of Visit Laos-China Year 2019, the growth of ties with other countries, and other important events that took place in Laos over the past year.
The start of the international New Year was enthusiastically celebrated in all provinces of Laos.
Mr Sihoun said the celebration was meaningful as it reflected the city’s progress in terms of maintaining security, spurring economic growth, and developing culturally and socially.
He wished all visitors an enjoyable time in Vientiane and hoped they would enjoy the natural beauty, good food, and their encounters with friendly people.
On behalf of city authorities he wished the country’s leaders good health as they continued to guide Laos on the path to prosperity, and welcomed the chance for further success that 2020 would bring. 
International New Year was a good opportunity for all people to come together in a spirit of friendship and happiness, and to look forward to good times ahead, Mr Sihoun said.
Elsewhere in the city, crowds of people gathered to celebrate the joyful occasion at the National Culture Hall, Chao Anouvong Park, and in restaurants and private homes.
Across the country, people from all walks of life, including officials, police, soldiers, local residents and staff of international organisations, gathered in groups to welcome in the new year with renewed hope for better times in the months ahead.
It seemed that everyone enjoyed the occasion as they danced and raised their glasses in toasts for good fortune in the coming year, with many also setting off fireworks.
Some people presented gift baskets and other presents to one another, along with good wishes for success, wealth and a happy life in 2020.
Many returned home to the provinces to be with their families, while some travelled to neighbouring countries to celebrate the start of 2020.
Taking a different path, other people spent the night praying with monks at temples, hoping to gain merit and make an auspicious start to the new year by renewing their faith in Buddhism.
Hundreds of officials, ordinary people and students gathered for prayers at That Luang temple, while smaller groups worshipped at local temples.  
While taking part in the festivities in Laos, the populace shared in the spirit of optimism generated by New Year celebrations the world over, with many people texting friends and relatives overseas to send joyous messages.

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
(Latest Update January 2, 2019)