Secretary of the Champasak Provincial Party Committee, Mr Alounxay Sounnalath, Pakse city authorities and officials from the Department of Industry and Commerce on Friday check out the venue for the annual traditional boat racing festival alongside the Mekong River in Pakse, where the festival is taking place from October 26-28. --Photo Champamai newspaper

Crowds throng the streets of Vientiane during a street fair as part of events to mark the end of Buddhist Lent. Devotees will offer alms to monks on Monday morning, with Lent officially ending on Monday night, to be followed by the boat racing festival on Tuesday. Races will take place on the Mekong River opposite Vat Chan temple on Fa Ngum Road. These events are organised by the Vientiane Administration Office and Chanthabouly district authorities.

President of the Lao Red Cross, Mr Khamlavanh Chanthalavanh, and his staff last week provide noodles, canned fish, salt, vegetable oil, rice, soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes, sanitary pads, laundry detergent, and other supplies worth 327 million kip for impoverished families in Xaybouly district, Savannakhet province.                      --Photo Lao Red Cross

Deputy Minister of Health Dr Phayvanh Keopaseuth and members of the ministry’s Women’s Union last week give medical equipment and cash totalling 74 million kip in value to the Lao Women’s Union Central Committee to support efforts to enhance the role of women and improve conditions for local communities, especially people recently affected by extreme weather.    --Photo Centre of Information and Education for Health