Lao people nationwide are excitedly looking forward to a long holiday during their upcoming New Year festival (called Pi Mai), a time for family reunions, gatherings of friends, and big feasts.

This year’s New Year holiday will extend from April 14 to April 17, instead of the traditional April 14-16 period, as agreed by the Lao Government. The people will work on April 11 to make up for the one-day extension.

Lao people celebrate their New Year according to the ancient Hindu calendar, which falls around April 14, 15 or 16 in the Gregorian calendar. The celebration is considered to be the most important and biggest traditional festival in the country.

The festival, coinciding with the end of the dry season and the start of the monsoon season, features a rebirth and purification theme.

(Source: VNA)