The boat racing festival on the Mekong River in Vientiane. (File photo Phoonsab Thevongsa)

What are your thoughts on the Boat Racing Festival?

The annual boat races are taking place on the Mekong in Vientiane and will wrap up today. The event has proved very popular after being cancelled for the last two years because of the Covid outbreak. Vientiane Times went along to ask those enjoying the festival for their impressions of this fun celebration.
 
Ms Siphouttha Panyada, a student at the National University of Laos: I am glad that everything’s back to normal and we can celebrate the end of Lent in the customary way and enjoy the Boat Racing Festival after it was cancelled for the past two years because of the Covid outbreak. I’m here with my child and my mother after going to a temple this morning to give alms. I encourage Lao people and foreigners to come to the festival because it’s an important event and showcases our culture and traditions. There are lots of interesting things to share in or watch, including the boat races during the daytime and the lighted boats that will appear on the river tonight.
 
Mr Pheuay Xaiyaseng, a resident of Xaythany district: I like watching the boat races and try to watch as many as I can. I’m here with my wife and young daughter. We will stay until late at night because we are selling some products. Now it’s 11am and some pairs of boats have raced already and there will be more races in the afternoon.
 
Ms Khamphouvong Bouttavong, a student at Phanman Secondary School: I’m here with a group of five. It’s very hot today but we are having a good time walking by the river, shopping and eating. I’m not particularly interested in the boat races, but I enjoy the street fair and browsing all the stalls that have been set up. There are some good things on offer.

Mr King, a Vientiane resident: I know the festival is supported by large companies and entities such as the Joint Development Bank but from what I’ve seen so far things aren’t very well organised as there are not many boats and there are too few activities. I would like to see more activities for children, and more emphasis on cultural traditions.
 
Ms Kong Phommasy from Xiengda village, Xaysettha district, Vientiane: It’s great that we can enjoy the Boat Racing Festival again this year. My family and I sell floating baskets made of banana leaves and flowers. In the past we earned a lot of money from our sales but for the last two years ago we couldn’t make any money because the festival was cancelled. I am expecting that tonight a lot of people will buy floating baskets, as we had a lot of customers last night and also during today.

By Patithin Phetmeuangphuan
(Latest Update October 11, 2022)