Laos Holidays

Laos Holidays
The list of Lao public holidays below shows both official and non-official, but widely observed, Lao public holidays which are considered significant as some businesses, embassies in Laos and Lao government offices might be closed on these days.

Government offices, banks, international organizations, embassies, NGOs and private companies have different lists of holidays. The official Laos public holidays commonly observed by most (if not all) entities are underlined.

On these public holidays government offices are shut as are businesses and banks, so make sure all your visa needs or travel arrangements are not urgent, particularly over the Pi Mai Lao (Lao New Year) holiday in April. If the holidays fall on a weekend day, often the Monday following will be the designated holiday.
List of 2013 Public Holidays in Laos

arrow Internation New Year's Day
The first day of the year according to Western calendar
Tuesday, 1 January 2013

arrow National Millitary Day
Celebrates the founding of the Lao People's Army in 1949.
*Monday, 21 January 2013
(National Millitary Day 2013 falls on Sunday, thus, Monday is considered as substitute holiday)

arrow Chinese/Vietnamese Lunar New Year
Celebrates Chinese/Vietnamese New Year
*Monday, 11 February 2013
(the New Year falls on the weekend, thus Monday is considered as substitute holiday for many Chinese/Vietnamese related organisations or businesses)

arrow International Women's Day
Honors women in Lao society
Friday, 8 March 2013


arrow Lao People's Revolutionary Party Day
Celebrates the ruling Lao People's Revolutionary Party and all its works
Friday, 22 March 2013

arrow Lao New Year (Pi Mai Lao)
Celebrate Lao Lunar New Year
Monday, Tuesday and *Wednesday, 15,16 and 17 April 2013
(the first day of the Pi Mai Lao falls on Sunday, thus Wednesday may be considered as substitute holiday)

arrow International Labour Day
Celebrates the international labour movement
Wednesday, 1 May 2013

arrow International Children's Day and National Tree Planting Day
*Monday, 3 June 2013
(International Children's Day falls on Saturday, thus Monday may be considered as substitute holiday)

arrow Boun Khao Phansa (Buddhist Lent Festival) » Read more
Celebrates the begining of Buddhist Lent
Monday, 22 July 2013

arrow National Consitution Day
Thursday, 15 August 2013

arrow Boat Racing Festival in Luang Prabang
arrow Boun Hor Khao Padubdin Festival - observed through out Laos (Buddhist Lent)
Wednesday, 4 September 2013

arrow Boun Hor Khao Salak Festival - observed through out Laos (Buddhist Lent)
Thursday, 19 September 2013

arrow National Teacher's Day
Commemorates all teachers through out the country
Monday, 7 October 2013

arrow Independence Day
Celebrates victory (end of war in 1975)
Saturday, 12 October 2013
(as this falls on Saturday the following Monday may be considered as substitute holiday)

arrow Boun Awk Pansa » Read More
Celebrates the end of Buddhist Lent and the end of rainy season
Saturday 19 October 2013

arrow Boat Racing Festival in Vientiane » Read more
Celebrates the end of Buddhist Lent, the end of rainy season and to thank the mother of rivers for providing water for our lives.
Sunday, 20 October 2013
(as this falls on Sunday the following Monday may be considered as substitute holiday)

arrow That Luang Festival » Read more
Pilgrimage to That Luang Stupa in Vientiane
Sunday, 17 November 2013

arrow Lao National Day
Celebrates the establishment of the Lao People's Democratic Republic in 1975
Monday, 2 December 2013

Note: Variation may occur because some holidays are based on Buddhist calendar.

Happy Lao Holidays 2013!

Laos Holidays in recent years