lao

Pha That Luang (the Golden Stupa) is a gold-covered large Buddhist stupa located in the centre of Vientiane, the capital of Lao. 

The first stupa was established in the third century, and is a sacred site as the tip is believed to house a relic of Buddha. It has been rebuilt several times over the centuries. The current incarnation dates from 1566.

It is the most important religious building in the country and a national symbol that features on the country’s emblem.

Dating back to the 16th century, the That Luang Buddhist festival is held over three-seven days during the full moon of the twelfth lunar month (November).

Before dawn, thousands join in a ceremonial offering and group prayer, followed by a procession. For days afterward, a combined trade fair and carnival offers handicrafts, flowers, games, concerts, and dance shows.

The festival is one of the most popular national holidays in Lao and attracts pilgrims from all over the country and from other countries such as Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. It is also the date of an international trade fair promoting tourism in the region.

Boat Racing Festivals take place in many towns and villages across Lao at this time of year. The specific days of the races may vary from location to location. The public holiday may also change depending on what day of the week, Boun Ok Phansa, the last day of Buddhist Lent, falls on.

The Boun Suang Heua boat racing festival held in Vientiane is the largest and most supported of the boat racing festivals. The entrants come from all parts of Lao to compete in the races which take place along the Mekong river on Fa Ngum Road.

The races are usually 2km long, though the start and finish lines of the races change slightly from year to year as they depend upon the levels of the river.

The traditional racing boats are carved from a single tree and can hold up to fifty rowers. In the days before the races, the boats are cleaned and given offerings as they are considered sacred items.

The start and finish lines of the races change slightly from year to year as they depend upon the levels of the river.

There are usually three categories of boats: sport for men; traditional for men; and traditional for women. The teams of rowers are usually sponsored either by companies or by ministries or organisations in Vientiane.

Usually, the races start with the women, followed by the men’s races. The winners in each category receive prize money and a trophy, presented by high ranking officials.

Fa Ngum road and other streets leading to the river are lined with stalls days before the actual festival starts. These sell all kind of clothes, food and drinks. During the races, the streets are thronged with noisy and cheerful spectators urging on their favourite teams.

The Bank of Lao (BOL) is the central bank of the country.

The Government adopted October 7th 1968 as the founding day of the banking sector, as this was the date of the first printing of the liberated Laotian Kip currency under the leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party. The currency was printed in a cave in Viengxai district, Hauphanh province, which was a revolutionary base at the time.

In 1975 after the establishment of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, the Bank of Lao merged with the former Lao National Bank to become the central bank for the new country.

The Lao Women’s Union (LWU) was established on July 20th 1955 to promote the role of women under the National Constitution.

The aim of the LWU is to protect the rights and interests of Lao women and children. The union also promotes the implementation of policy geared toward gender equality and the advancement of women in national socio-economic development.

The other official functions and mandates of the LWU are to:

• Mobilize and unite Lao women to become actively involved in the national protection and development process. 
• Educate women of all ethnic groups and social strata to have a proper understanding of the government’s policies, constitution, laws and various international instruments concerning the legitimate rights and interests of women adhered to by the Lao PDR.
• Make considerable contributions toward the protection and the support of the rich customs, fine traditions of the people and of the Lao women of all ethnic groups in particular. 

In 1962, LWU became a member of the International Democracy Women’s Union, whose members attended the first Vietnamese Women’s Union meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam.

With a membership of over 600,000, LWU is a popular and important organisation involving women at levels of society throughout Lao.