Crowds line the riverbank to cheer on the boat crews as they head towards the finish line.

Vientiane boat races draw crowds as Buddhist Lent festivities conclude

Thousands of spectators gathered along the Mekong River in Vientiane on Tuesday to cheer on competing boat crews as the annual Vientiane Boat Racing Festival brought celebrations marking the end of Buddhist Lent to a lively close.
The riverside came alive with the excitement of traditional longboat racing, as enthusiastic crowds lined the riverbank to watch teams battle for victory in one of the most eagerly anticipated events on the Lao cultural calendar.
The festival, which followed the end of Buddhist Lent on Monday, brought together local residents and visitors for a celebration of Lao traditions, cultural heritage and community spirit.

The annual boat races are among the highlights of the festivities marking the end of the three-month Buddhist Lent, an important religious observance that concludes around the full moon in October.
This year’s festival featured fierce competition among boat crews from Vientiane and neighbouring provinces, with teams competing in several categories.
A total of 10 men’s teams, each comprising 30 oarsmen, competed in the main racing category. The crews represented Hadxaifong and Sikhottabong districts, the Joint Development Bank, and Bolikhamxay and Vientiane provinces.
Four women’s teams, each comprising 12 members, five men’s teams of 12 oarsmen each, and five light boat teams also took part in the competition.
The Joint Development Bank’s men’s team emerged victorious in the 30-oarsman category for the third consecutive year, claiming the championship trophy and 60 million kip in prize money.
Other winning teams also received trophies and cash prizes, with support from the Lao Brewery Company and other businesses.
The festival was jointly organised by the Vientiane Administration Office and Chanthabouly district authorities, with officials from the district and capital administration, along with representatives of the Lao Brewery Company, attending the event.
Beyond the excitement of the races, the celebrations offered visitors an opportunity to experience the rich traditions associated with the end of Buddhist Lent.
On Monday morning, devotees gathered at temples to offer alms to Buddhist monks, continuing a longstanding religious practice that forms an important part of the annual observance.
As night fell, temples welcomed worshippers for candlelight processions, while visitors admired elaborately decorated candlelit boats floating along rivers, notably the Mekong.
Along the Mekong River, families and festival-goers released small boats crafted from banana leaves and decorated with flowers and glowing candles. The traditional practice symbolises the release of misfortune and the hope for good luck and happiness.
The festivities extended beyond religious ceremonies and boat racing, with open-air concerts attracting large audiences and roadside markets drawing shoppers in search of food, souvenirs and bargains.
Similar celebrations were held on a smaller scale in several provinces, reflecting the importance of the occasion in Lao cultural and religious life.
In Pakngum district, outside central Vientiane, residents also gathered on Monday night to witness the mysterious fireballs said to rise from the Mekong River, another longstanding tradition associated with the festive period.
The Vientiane Boat Racing Festival remains one of the capital’s most prominent annual cultural events, bringing communities together while helping preserve traditions passed down through generations.
Combining religious devotion, sporting competition and public celebration, the festival continues to reflect the enduring place of Buddhist customs and traditional festivities in Lao society.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update October 28, 2026)