Vientiane's Boat Racing Festival Has Been Cancelled

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown limitations, the Boat Racing Festival in Vientiane Capital has been canceled this year.

Authorities have forbidden any sort of boat racing in the capital this year, according to a notification published by the Vientiane Capital Department of Education and Sports.

Simultaneously, the Fire Boat Festival and boat races held along the Mekong River at Sithan Neua Village in Vientiane Capital's Sikhottabong District have been canceled.

Meanwhile, authorities led by Mr. Douangta Soulivong, the Head of Chanthabouly District, staged a ceremony yesterday to inform old spirits that the Vientiane Capital boat racing event had been canceled.

Last year's Boat Racing Festival was held in Vientiane Capital from October 1 to 3, with a smaller fleet than prior years due to fears about the conoravirus.

The Vientiane Boat Racing Festival is Laos' largest and most important boat racing event, held each year at the end of Buddhist Lent.

The races will usually start downstream of Sithan Neua Village and end at Vat Chan temple, as is customary.

Meanwhile, due to tight restrictions, the End of Buddhist Lent and the Fire Boat Festival in Luang Prabang Province have been canceled this year.