The Kapok Festival opens with a grand ceremony.

Annual flowering of kapok trees celebrated in Bokeo

The Kapok Festival kicked off on Done Sao Island in Bokeo province on Friday, as the trees’ red blossoms set the area ablaze with colour.
The annual festival is used to foster nature-based tourism and cultural exchange within the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone.
The opening ceremony of the festival was attended by Politburo member and Head of the Propaganda and Training Committee of the Party Central Committee, Mr Khamphanh Pheuyavong; Vice Chairman of the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone Management Council, Mr Gao Rong; other central government representatives, and senior officials in Bokeo province.
Held every year, the Kapok Festival is one of Bokeo’s most distinctive events, marking the period when kapok trees burst into bloom on Done Sao Island.

The festival not only highlights the area’s natural beauty but also serves as a platform to promote cultural exchange and support the development of tourism and trade in the province.
This year, organisers are placing particular emphasis on nature-based tourism on Done Sao Island, showcasing its river landscapes and other natural attractions. 
The festival is closely linked with integrated services and tourism activities offered within the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone, aiming to provide visitors with a complete travel experience that combines nature, culture, entertainment and hospitality.
Beyond the festival, Bokeo province is home to a wide range of tourist attractions, including the Nam Kan Protected Area in Huayxai district, which offers activities such as trekking, ziplining, and overnight stays in treehouses. 
Bokeo has 77 officially designated tourist sites, comprising 53 nature-based attractions, 14 cultural sites and 10 places with historical associations. 
Tourism is playing an increasingly important role in Bokeo’s socio-economic development, contributing to job creation, agricultural production, handicrafts and exports, which help to generate income for rural communities.
Provincial authorities hope the Kapok Festival will further strengthen Bokeo’s position as an emerging tourism destination and support sustainable tourism growth in the years ahead. 
Taking place at the coolest time of the year, the festival provides an ideal opportunity to get off the beaten track, explore the province, and enjoy the tranquility of this serene part of Laos, where the pace of life is slow and there are many quaint corners to be discovered. 

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update January 31, 2026)