Oudomxay rolls out red carpet for Lao New Year

Oudomxay province is preparing a host of colourful activities for visitors during the Lao New Year holiday from April 14-16, aiming to make the celebrations more elaborate than in previous years.
An official at the province’s Information, Culture and Tourism Department, Mr Bounkuan Mithmeuangxay, told Vientiane Times that activities would take place from April 13-16 this year as authorities had made a special effort to entertain visitors.
One of the main events will be a procession carrying the Singkham Buddha statue and the pouring of water over the golden Buddha. Local people believe that doing this will bring good luck because the statue is considered to be sacred and is greatly revered.
There will also be a mass almsgiving ceremony which is expected to be attended by people from Thailand, Vietnam, and China.
Visitors can also enjoy a flower procession when locals will dress in traditional costume. Another attraction is a 9-metre high model of a stupa, made out of sand – the first time such a structure has been built for the festival.
Also on the programme is a Miss Rocket beauty contest, with contestants coming from the Lue ethnic group, while a street fair will offer an enticing range of local food items and goods produced in neighbouring countries, Mr Bounkuan said.
In acknowledgement of Visit Laos-China Year, Oudomxay is accelerating the construction of facilities to make the province an attractive tourist destination, according to the Information, Culture and Tourism Department.
The focus will be on improving entrances to tourist sites. Provincial authorities have held talks with tourism operators about upgrading services and will print English and Chinese language guidebooks for visitors.
The authorities are also working with local companies to promote tourism through local and foreign media outlets.
Oudomxay has many places of interest to visitors including Nam Kat waterfall - a beautiful spot that is popular with locals and foreigners alike.
Another place worth visiting is Singkham Buddha temple, where visitors can offer up a prayer, and the cascading Tad Talae waterfall.
Visitors can also enjoy delicious local dishes, such as soup pak (vegetables cooked with sesame, ginger and chilli), and som seen sai mai phai (pork with chilli and garlic stuffed into a bamboo stem).
There are plenty of local souvenirs to buy, including cotton products made by ethnic groups.
Oudomxay is located in northern Laos, 583 km from Vientiane. It is accessible via all-weather roads that allow tourists to experience stunning views, some beautiful scenery and fresh air. The province can also be accessed by plane.
During Visit Laos Year in 2018 more than 212,600 people visited Oudomxay, generating more than US$13 million, according to the province’s Information, Culture and Tourism Department.
Tourist information can be obtained from the department on 030 9163162 or www.laostourism.org/laos-destinations/oudomxay/

By Siladda Souliyong
(Latest Update April 8, 2019)