Laotian nationals who are living and studying in Da Nang garthered in Tam Bao Pagoda in Binh Hien Ward, Hai Chau District, on Wednesday morning, to celebrate their New Year Festival also called the Bunpimay (Boun Pi Mai) Water Festival.

The event was co-ogarnised by Da Nang chapter of the Viet Nam-Laos Friendship Association, and the Consulate General of Laos in Da Nang.  

In his remarks at the event, Da Nang chapter of the association Chairman Nguyen Ngoc Binh highlighted the importance of the event in strengthening the traditional cooperation and cordial relation between Da Nang and Laotian localities, and Viet Nam and Laos at large, as well as promoting mutual understanding between the two countries.

The Bunpimay (Boun Pi Mai) Water Festival is a jubilant affair held during the three-day Lunar New Year festivities from 13 to 15 April. Celebrated mostly in Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng, the festival sees water being used to cleanse homes and buddha images, in addition to soaking friends and passers-by. All this is done in the belief that water will help to wash away bad luck and diseases in exchange for fortune and health. Other activities include worshipping at the temples, as well as dancing to traditional Lao music.

Unlike in Thailand, this celebration doesn’t usually lead to a water fight. Instead, it leads to something a lot messier – flour fights, although whipped cream and shaving cream have also been known to be used.

The dish most commonly associated with these celebrations is laap, a mixture of meat and salad, flavoured with lime, garlic, mint leaves, fish sauce and ground toasted rice. Laap is such a favourite in Laos that it’s considered the country’s national dish – and if it’s anything less than delicious, it’s seen as a bad omen for the year to come.

Reporting by LE VAN THOM – Translating by H.L