Major Festivals and Holidays to Attend in Your Laos Tour

We all love to know and get familiar with foreign cultures, histories, and rituals, especially when we are visiting foreign countries. For example, when you are visiting Laos, you need to make the Laos Tour Package in a manner that you can attend all major traditional festivals. Most of the Laos festivals are linked to different agricultural events and seasons and historical Buddhist holidays, but one thing is certain, you should not miss them at any cost if you enrich your soul with new cultural experiences. 

Here, in this post, we will discuss some of these festivals and holidays popular in Laos. 

January and February 

Boun Pha Vet 

Boun is the Laos word for the festival and the temple celebrates the birth of Prince Vessanthara, the Buddha's penultimate existence. Here, they recite the birth story of Buddha and this is also the time for Lao men to become ordained as monks. You can visit different villages for this festival as they stagger festivities between villages. 

Boun Ma Kha Bu Saar (Full Moon)

The Buddha gave a speech in which he has predicted his death and also laid down the first monastic regulations and this festival is a tribute to it. Almost 1250 monks listened to this speech. Also, this festival is celebrated with chanting and presenting throughout the country offering carious Vat. If you want to attend this festival, go to the Khmer ruins of Vat Phu Champasack as the largest celebrations take place there. 

March Festival 

In various villages, the harvest festival is celebrated throughout the month. 

April festival in Laos 

Boun Pi Mai 

Pi Mai means New Year and Laos celebrate the start of the Lunar calendar year. New clothes are worn by people and the Buddha images are washed. 

May festivals 

Boun Vishakha Bu Saar (Full Moon)

This festival takes place on the first day of the sixth lunar month in the memory of the birth, enlightenment, and parinibbana (death) of Buddha. 

Boun Bang Fai (Rocket Festival) 

In the ancient pre-Buddhist times, people use to fire homemade rockets into the clouds to ask the Almighty for rain. 

September 

Boun Haw Khao Salak 

This festival takes place in the 10th full moon of the lunar calendar in the remembrance of the dead. On behalf of deceased ancestors, Laos people distribute offerings to the monks. Villagers visit the temples in the early morning to pray and give offerings to the monks. 

October 

Boun Ok Phansa and Boat Racing Festival 

When the monks' three month fast ends, this festival takes place during the rainy season. Here too, donations and offerings are made to the temples and in the evening, candlelight processions happen at the temples with hundreds of colorful floats decorated with flowers, incense, and candles are arranged adrift down the Mekong River for the respect of the river spirit. The next day, a popular boat racing competition is held in Vientiane, Savannakhet, and Champasack. 

Wrapping Up

You need to make your Laos tour package in a manner that you can attend these popular festivals. It will give you a new insight into the culture and rituals of the country and will fill your life with unforgettable memories and experiences.

Why not miss Buddha Park in Vientiane?

One of the most confusing things is to make a list of all the tourist places we want to cover while on a tour. You might have less time and more destinations to cover and this is always a dilemma all tourists face at some point in their lives. For example, you might not know which places to include in your Laos Tour Package, especially when you are in Vientiane, the capital of Laos. However, one thing that you cannot miss during your trip to Vientiane is Buddha Park, one of the best things to visit when you are in Vientiane. 

What do you need to know about Buddha Park? 

Also known as Wat Xieng Khuan in the local language or the Spirit City Temple or Sala Xieng Khuan, Buddha Park is one of the quirkiest places in Laos that you cannot miss. Located in the outskirts of Vientiane, near Mekong River, it is one of the most visited sites in Vientiane and you must put it in your Laos tour package. 

Buddha Park has more than 200 statues of gods, demons, animals, evils, and some other bizarre statues that will surely give you some awesome and jaw-dropping time. The eccentric sculpture park, as someone calls it, is a perfect place where Buddhism meets Hinduism. You will be astonished by the mythological and religious sculptures, each of them has a unique story to tell you. 

You cannot just term it as a park which is lucid and eccentric, it is the place that has sacred wind flowing and has become a playground for a mystic and artists. 

Bunleua Sulilat, a mystic teacher is the creator of Buddha Park who was deeply interested in Buddhist and Hindu philosophies and beliefs and created this park to give a tribute to these ancient religions in his way. You will find lots of statues of Buddha, Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, and others. You might feel the statutes are ancient, but they are not. They are just 60 years old. Bunleua Sulilat designed all the statues, but the actual builders were his followers. 

There are some impeccable religious and mythological narrations you will find in Buddha Park. For example, the giant pumpkin located in the park has an entrance that represents a demon's mouth, and when you pass through it, you have to climb three floors representing Hell, Earth and Haven. Isn't it some kind of a holy puzzle you have read in mythological mystery books? 

Buddha Park was built by a Thai born mystic teacher and priest Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat in 1958. He was a born Buddhist but also had deep interests in other religions such as Hinduism and learned about the Hindu religion in Vietnam. He had a good fan following who considered him as Luang Pu, the priest, and later on, their followers built these sculptures. 

It is one of the most-visited public parks in Vientiane and had become a famous tourist attraction located about 25 km Southeast from Vientiane and you can catch a public bus from Talat Sao to Buddha Park every 30 minutes. The price of a one-way ticket is 8,000 kip. The entrance fee to Laos Buddha Park is 5,000 kip and the working hours are 0800 hours to 1700 hours. If you want to carry a camera inside the park, you need to pay an extra amount of 3,000 kips. 

Conclusion

When you are making your Laos Tour Package, you just cannot miss this mystic and eccentric home of sculptures, Buddha Park. Visit and pay your homage to the contributor who was a scholar with keen interests in Buddhism and Hinduism. 

Covid-19 Developments in Myanmar that You Need to Know

The Covid-19 pandemic is at its full swing now and has covered almost all the nations of the world. Italy, USA, Turkey and China are some countries where the number of cases is registered highest in the world. However, Myanmar too suffered a lot due to this pandemic. If you have booked the Myanmar tour in recent times, you need to cancel it as the international flights are cancelled by the government of Myanmar and the ban will stay for another couple of months. In this post, we will discuss some of the recent developments that happened in the Covid-19 pandemic in Myanmar. 

History of Covid-19 in Myanmar

On 31 March 2020, two confirmed Covid-19 cases were registered in Myanmar and the committee for CoronaVirus Disease (Covid-19) was formed by the President of Myanmar Win Myint, which was headed by the Vice President Myint Swe and it was made up of union ministers of the cabinet. The total number of confirmed cases as on 23rd April 2020 is 127 and the total death toll is 5 as of now. The number of tests done on citizens is 5,198 and total 2,212 persons are under investigation. The number of active cases is 115 as of now. 

The national-level Covid-19 response team led by the state councillor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi announced that it will provide free food to all those people who are struggling across the nation during the 10-day national New Year holiday. 

The Thingyan Water Festival 

The Thingyan Water Festival is an opportunity for many daily wage earners to earn money by offering food and beverages to the visitors and the event was cancelled to prevent the Covid-19 spread in Myanmar. The government has promised to distribute rice, cooking oil, salt, beans and onions to the people with no income during the holidays. 

Apart from food distribution, the government also promised to provide 150 free electricity units until the end of April for domestic use and urged people to stay at home to counter the spread of Covid-19 pandemic. 

Mandalay Region 

All the Myanmar tour packages and trips are canceled in the Mandalay Region as heavy travel restrictions are imposed in this region. Some of the key markets such as Zay Cho, Yadanarpon and Mingalar are also closed until an uncertain time and the region is almost deserted. 

Furthermore, the Mandalay regional government has promised to spend 1 billion kyats (approximately US $770,000) to help families with no regular income during this pandemic time. Also, the government has asked the private sectors to come forward and donate to fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. Some of the most affected professionals are porters, taxi drivers, street hawkers, flower traders and other small traders. The government also has donated few essentials such as cooking oil, beans, pulses and onions to the Buddhist monks and nuns as they are vulnerable during the crisis. 

Mandalay and Sagaing regions have formed various groups and volunteer teams to help households with essentials such as soaps, sanitizers, masks and other crucial commodities. 

Myanmar government has banned staff from New Year travel 

Almost 1 million civil servants travel to their homes during the New Year water festival each year. However, the government has banned them from traveling due to this pandemic time. Every year, these civil servants get the holidays of five to ten days and they return to their homes to spend this time with their loved ones. This year, they will not be able to do so to spread the Covid-19 outbreak. 

Myanmar government punishes fake news publishers 

Anyone who spread Covid-19 fake news through any of the social media channels will be arrested and prosecuted by the government to stop panic during this outbreak. A man from Bago Region's Yaytarshay Township was arrested by the local police as he posted a Facebook post related to fake news about Covid-19 disease. He was sued under the Natural Disaster Management Law's article 27 which states that a person who spreads fake news or misinformation related to a disaster to create panic amongst the public shall be punished with a maximum of one year in prison and fine. 

Also, people who don't follow rules and regulations imposed by the government or refuse to cooperate with the local bodies could face lawsuits under the 2013 National Disaster Management Law. 

The KBZ bank donated nearly $1 million to fight Coronavirus outbreak

Medical supplies worth $1 million was donated to the health ministry of Myanmar by the Kanbawza bank of Myanmar to prevent the Covid-19 outbreak and to treat the disease. 

5 Effective Ways to Get the Most out of Your Myanmar Tour

Formerly known as Burma, Myanmar is a picturesque destination located in Southeast Asia. It has been over the last decade or so when Myanmar has slowly but gradually opened its door for tourism. Recently, thanks to the improved infrastructure, there has been a vast improvement in the tourism of the country. This makes it an ideal place to satisfy your wanderlust.

If you are inquisitive to travel to this part of the world, opt for Myanmar tour packages from a reputed company. The reason being, it can provide a rewarding experience of temple landscapes, unspoiled nature, and sealed culture, which is primarily a blessing while experiencing this picturesque country for the very first time. Let’s now look at the different ways to get the most out of your Myanmar tour.

The Best Time to Visit Myanmar

Typically, it has been observed that it is best to visit Myanmar during the dry season, which falls between November and April. It is considered to be the peak of the tourism season as it enables you to enjoy the dry and cold weather. 

In case you wish to get the most of your tour in terms of both weather and monetary value, we suggest you travel this country during the shoulder season, i.e., April-May and October-November. Although you might encounter a little rain, the weather is overall excellent, and the additional benefit is, you can get plenty of promotional discounts from hotels and services. 

Procedure to Get Myanmar Visa 

In the year 2015, the government of Myanmar introduced an online system for Visa. However, there is no need to visit the Myanmar Embassy to apply. Simply submit your information, and get a visa on approval at $50.

Advance Booking is Advisable Prior to Traveling the Country

Although there are plenty of hotels and resorts in the country now than in the past, however, at a certain period, it becomes difficult to find a room in case you are looking to have a great time during your stay. In case you are traveling independently, at least have a glance at the online hotel booking to ensure that you have a pleasant stay. You can get further information on online booking tools from airport pickup to luggage storage and luxurious river journeys from Google.

The Budget for the Trip

When it comes to the budget for the Myanmar tour packages, always remember that it is not cheap in respect to other countries in Southeast Asia. In fact, when you compare it with Thailand or Vietnam, it is much more expensive. Another thing that you would note when you travel to this country is that most of the service providers prefer cash instead of credit cards even though there are lots of ATMs across the country in recent times. In case, you prefer to utilize ATM, keep this in mind, the operation fee is as high as 5-6% of the transaction.

Planning an Exclusive Itinerary

As first-time visitors, you would love to explore the must-see places of the country. The five famous places are Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, Inle Lake and Ngapali beach. Although these are top tourist destinations, you can cover these places without spending a lot of money. However, if you want to avoid tourist areas, it is vital to prepare an extraordinary itinerary. 

The best way to do that is by browsing through some travel blogs on Google. This is the best way to ensure that you learn about not-to-be-missed experiences. You can even post questions on travel forums like Tripadvisor. 

There are lots of travel experts who see the country from time-to-time. They can help you provide valuable information that can assist in preparing your exclusive itinerary. There are also Myanmar travel agencies that design new tours specifically to attract more tourists in the country. Check out their websites to get the best idea about the trending travel destinations in the country.

So, when do you plan to visit this amazing destination?

A Thrilling Itinerary To The Idyllic Town, Sapa In Vietnam

Hey you, have you ever dreamt of visiting a fairytale land having picturesque landscapes and lush green rice terraces that creates ripples on the highest mountain? What if we say that you have the chance to experience and witness such a place in Vietnam? 

If you are excited to know how the diverse hill tribes enjoy together in Vietnam, then Sapa is a must-visit place for you. In this blog, we have listed down A to Z things that you can explore on your visit to the country. Keep reading further to mark your relishing experience into the steep valleys and gorgeous mountain peaks of Sapa. 

Well, a little brief about the location before you onboard your Vietnam Cambodia tour. 

Sapa, often known as Sa Pa, is a district-level town located in the Northwest region of Vietnam. It is about 350 km from Hanoi and is home to distinct tribal groups, namely, Hmong, Dao (Yao), Giáy, Xa Pho, and Tay. The location of the place is unique, which is quite close to the Indochina border, and it supports the growth of many exclusive plants and other inhabitants. It is advisable to spend a minimum of 2 days in the city in order to get yourself completely soaked into the tranquil atmosphere and enjoy the cultural tribe. 

When should you visit Sapa?

You will find tourists all around the year; however, the best time to visit Sa Pa is between September and October. This particular period is also known as the ' golden season’ when the location is just flooded with tourists from around the world.

During this period, you will get the chance to admire the spectacular beauty of rice terraces. The temperature is ambient, which is perfectly suitable for the tourists to immerse themselves in romantic views completely. On visiting the place, you will get a chance to explore many cultural activities like an art display, brocade, and cloth-making, etc. 

If you are visiting Sa Pa for hiking, then Springtime, that is between March to May, is the best suitable time to visit. You would be amazed by seeing the rice terraces that are flooded with water, and the sky getting reflected in the same, just like a mirror.

Here is the list of places now:

Fansipan: Roof of Indochina:

It is the highest in the Indochinese Peninsula with a height of 3143 m above sea level. It is heave for the mountain trekkers, and on lucky days, trekkers can reach the top of Sapa and enjoy the picturesque views of the mountains. Climbers will experience the magnificent landscape throughout their journey, some tribal villages, and a bed of azalea once they reach the summit. 

The best time to visit this place is between November and March when the air becomes drier, allowing you to breathe the freshness. Well, for the non-climbers, the place offers a cable car service also, which will cost you around 700,000 VND per adult. However, the journey from the mountain top to the peak has to be covered by foot. 

Ham Rong Mt. Park:

When you have already traveled the top of the mountain, then why to miss this splendid view of the Sapa town from the Ham Rong Mountain? The name is derived because of the mountain shape, which is like a dragon’s jaw looking towards the sky. While climbing up the 148 ha area, you will come across many panoramic views of the Sapa, beautiful orchid, and flower gardens where you will feel like romancing with your partner again. The viewpoint names are Cong Troi, and San May, kindly do not miss upon stopping at the locations. 

Sapa Church:

Just a short walk from the mountain place mentioned above, Sapa church is the most ancient church in the town. It was built entirely from stones back in 1895 and is a remarkable symbol of the sapa town. The rustic exterior will take us back to the French colonial period in Vietnam. You will be awe-struck with the exterior of the church, and the interiors will blow your mind away. 

Silver Waterfall:

This majestic beauty is just 15 km away from Sapa, and the water falling from the heights in the backdrop looks like a shining silver. The pine forests on the mountain ranges and the chayote gardens make a perfect backdrop for the waterfalls. 

A caution: You can always climb on the stones that take you a bit closer to the waterfalls but, just be careful while doing that. The entry fee is around 25,000 VND/adult. 

Few other places to visit during the Vietnam and Cambodia tours are:

• Cat Cat Village: It is just 2 km from the Sapa central and offers a unique, delightful experience to the tourists.

• Ta Van Village: It is a great place for the climbers to trek the hill in Sapa. The village has almost 1000 residents, and you can observe the idyllic wooden crafted traditional houses.

• Sin Chai Village: Are you excited to visit the mysterious caves of Ngu Chi Son Mt? Visit Sin Chai village and grab the best view of it. 

Discover Sapa and the best of local life by grabbing some exclusive Vietnam holiday deals. We hope that this guide helps you in planning your trip in advance so that you don’t have to pay extra money at the end moment. You can also ask your travel agent to reserve a seat for you and your family. Happy journey. 

Come and Experience the True Essence of Life in Vinh Long Province, Vietnam

Are you seeking an escape from the daily mundane of life or want to spend some “me-time,” then we have got the best place for you. Vinh Long Province in Vietnam Cambodia Tour is your destination for soul-soothing and beautiful experiences that you can cherish forever. A trip to the region of water and rivers is a spur inspiration and a different life experience. The place is covered with thick greenery, free from all noises and chaos of city life makes it more appealing. So are you ready to take a virtual tour of Vinh Long with us?

When to come?

Vinh Long has two significant seasons rainy and dry. The place lies between the Tien River and the Hau River of the Mekong Delta region. The average temperature around the year is 30-degree celsius. The rainy season starts from May and lasts till November, while the dry season begins in December and ends in April. 

During the dry season, the sky is pretty much clear and blue, which makes it perfect for outdoor activities. Sometimes, low humidity is a bit not great for the outing. The place experiences heavy rainfall between June and July, and these are the hottest months of the year also. Also, June and July are the harvest season for the fruits. The ideal time for a rowboat trip is from September to November. So conclusively the perfect time for this place’s tour in September and November.

How to reach here?

The next question of how to reach here is an obvious one. During your Vietnam Cambodia Tour, there are many ways to reach here. It is 135 KM far from Ho Chi Minh City and takes 2 hours via National Road 1A and My Thuan Bridge. You can even go for a boat trip, for which you need to book a tourist boat. You can also board the long-distance bus from Saigon headed to the Western Provinces of the country. 

How to get around?

• Motobike Taxi: They are the most budget-friendly idea, generally charging 20-40 cents for every KM.
• Metered Taxi: For the safer and cleaner commute, metered taxi is the best option; however, it may cost a bit more.
• Another option is the ferry ride, available every 10-15 minutes.

What to do during the trip?

It won’t be wrong if we say that the place is complete coverage of not so famous spots in the country. We have jotted down the following places and activities to do during Vietnam and Cambodia Tours.

Vinh Long Orchards

When in Vinh Long, don’t forget to taste the fresh and juicy fruits from the orchids located across An Binh Island. You can enjoy the yummy and juicy fruits like rambutan, mango, grapefruit, and so on. Do you know what the best part is? To reach some garden, you have to row a boat through small canals. Imagine how cherishing the boating experience would be with all greenery around. Even locals allow tourists to pick fruits, fertilize plants, try a hand on the farm work, catch fish, and lots more. Make sure to try hand in traditional games like bag jumping, wooden clog racing, riding the ostrich, etc. 

Pottery craft village

Magnify your experience by trying a hand on the pottery craft. You can find beautiful and unique artistic design jars, paintings, ceramics, statues, pots, and bas-relief. Its ceramics are much in demand in the national as well as international markets. 

Wooden row boat trip

Experience the iconic activity of the place, wooden rowboat trip. Glide along small canals through the bushy willow trees to reach different parts of the place. During this trip, make sure to rowboat towards fishing farms and bonsai garden. Ask farmers to play “Don Ca Tai Tu,” the beautiful traditional music to immerse into tranquility and peace of the place. 

Floating market

The best way to mingle with the locals is by going around the market. But this market is quite different from the others as here you need to row a boat to move through one shop to another. The beautiful conical hat is unique in itself. You know the most beautiful thing about the market is people greet each other with big smiles, they even greet strangers with the same warmth and welcoming gesture. 

What to Eat?

Vinh Long has not restricted itself in pastoral landscapes and rivers, but it got terrific dishes to eat. During your visit to the place, don’t forget to taste some of the following delicious recipes. 

• Cá tai tượng chiên xù
• Lẩu cua đồng
• Bánh xèo hến, Vũng Liêm
• Hu Tieu Hoanh Thanh
• Fried osphronemus goramy

Where to Stay?

There are no big hotels here, so tourists generally spent the night in Ho Chi Minh City. Some people love to explore the local area closely and thus choose a homestay option, where they can not only sleep in their house but also share chit-chats over food and tea. 

Here comes the End of Tour

Veh Long can be the most memorable part of the Vietnam Holiday Deals. The place is the best way to spend some quality time away from the crowd and to experience the authenticity of the rural area. If you are not sure where to start the trip, hire the expert service to make the most of Vietnam and Cambodia Tours. 

Explore The Charming And Traditional Villages Of Vietnam

Striking Landscapes, lush green rice terraces, picturesque valleys, and pristine beaches! Hey, have you already fallen in love with Vietnam? But, wait wait... What if we say that there is more to it than just the postcard-perfect places? Excited to know what! Vietnam Villages offer travelers a perfect blend of an old-charm and tranquil beauty. 

Vietnam is a culturally and traditionally rich country and their villages even today, will take you back to an era that existed centuries ago. The villages will keep you at a distance from the city’s hustle and bustle and let you spend quality time during the Vietnam tours. So, are you ready to start your tour into some exotic and interesting Villages of Vietnam? Keep reading…

Bat Trang Pottery Village:

If you are visiting Hanoi, this village is a must-visit place. It is only 13 km from Hanoi, and we advise, you should not miss traveling to this place. Just as the name of the village suggests, the tradition of the village lies in making ceramic products. According to the legends, during the Ly Dynasty, scholars were sent to China to learn pottery and then teach the locals of the village the art of pottery, after coming back. The products like cups, bowls, teapots, flower vases, and lights were a piece of art and they look exceptionally beautiful. The artistic pieces gathered attention from all around the world and yes, here is the good news: You can learn to make ceramic products at the classes here from the locals. 

Duong Lam Village:

Well known as the oldest village in Vietnam, this village is located 40 km from Hanoi city center. The village is untouched and even after centuries, it showcases the typical features of an old northern village. Two Vietnamese Kings, namely Phung Hung(761-802) and Ngo Quyen(896-944), made this place their hometown. It turned out to be quite a surprise that many houses in the village are up to 400 years old. While traveling to this village, you will get a chance to enjoy the beautiful countryside view. You will find rural houses, typical architecture, lateritic brick walls, and more. Locals are warm and welcoming, and they love to share their elder’s stories, and this would make your day. You are free to wander in the rice paddies, breathe fresh air, and thus release all the stress of your city life. 

Van Phuc Silk Village:

We know, you would say why Hanoi again? But trust us, Hanoi still has many things to offer. And Van Phuc silk is another village located in the Hanoi suburbs. The village is located near the Nhue River, about 10 km from the city center. The village became famous because of the Ha Dong Silk, exceptional quality silk in Vietnam and Asia. King’s costume and clothes of the royal families were made from this material. The silk is lightweight, smooth, and adds on to the elegance of the attire. While traveling to the village, you can learn about silk-making and the traditions that followed. If you wander around the streets, you will find fantastic silk products and the traditional attire for women, “ao dai” will surely grab your attention. 

Vung Vieng Fishing Village:

Just the thought of living in a floating house gives goosebumps, then imagine a whole village of nearly 200 people staying in floating houses? Vung Vieng Fishing Village is located amidst majestic Halong Bay, and the only way to reach here is via limestone arch gateway. The villagers are involved in fish catching and pearl cultivation. They no doubt earn a bit from tourism but their major income comes from the above mentioned. The villagers welcome tourists during the Vietnam Holiday Packages with their open arms and also teach them pearl cultivation on demand. 

Ph Vang Conical Hat Village:

Also famous as the birthplace of “non la,” the village is located in Hue. Visiting here, you will find conical hats all around, and yes, the villagers will also teach you how to make them. The male villagers contribute to the activity by collecting leaves and designing the frame for the hat. Women villagers would add elegance to the hat pieces. Women of this village learn this art right from the teenage so that they can evolve as an artist and cultivate themselves. 

Tuyet Diem Salt making Village:

What if we say that the villagers here have been making salt for more than 300 years now? Tuyet Diem Salt Village is located in Vietnam Southern coastline and is one of the three biggest salt villages in Phu Yen Province. The salt is also known as Cu Mong Salt as it is the name of the nearby pass. The salt is exceptionally white and of the high-quality in Vietnam. The tradition of salt-making is followed mainly during the summers and the rest of the year, villagers go for fishing or other activity. You will be awe-struck with the salt field and the small dunes of salt on the field.

The Vietnam Tour Package is a pandora box of some amazing experiences and cultural tours. Make your tailor-made plan today and explore the beautiful country.