Calendar of Festivals & Traditions

Southeast Asia in celebration

Across Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar, celebrations transform everyday life into a vibrant tapestry. Incense-filled streets, radiant smiles, dances, lights, and music create an atmosphere where tradition comes alive in its most vivid and meaningful form. To travel during these moments is to step into the very heartbeat of the region.

Calendrier des fêtes et croyances

L'Asie du Sud-Est en célébration

En Thaïlande, au Vietnam, au Cambodge, au Laos ou en Birmanie, la célébration transforme le quotidien en une fresque vivante. Rues parfumées d’encens, sourires éclatants, danses, lumières et musiques tissent une atmosphère où ferveur et joie collective se mêlent. Voyager en cette période, c’est entrer au cœur d’une énergie vibrante, entre spiritualité et fête.

To discover in January
Rice Harvest Festival (Htamané)

At the beginning of each year, families gather to prepare “htamané,” a traditional sticky rice delicacy, hand-stirred in large cauldrons. This joyful ritual marks the end of the harvest season and celebrates sharing, gratitude, and togetherness at the heart of Burmese culture.


To discover in January
Ananda Pagoda Festival

This major Buddhist festival brings together devotees, monks, and villagers who come to honor one of the country’s most sacred temples. Solemn processions, offerings, continuous prayers, and lively markets set the pace for several days of celebration, in an atmosphere that is both spiritual and festive.


To discover from February to April
Shwedagon Pagoda Festival

Each year, the Shwedagon Pagoda becomes the beating heart of Yangon. Thousands of pilgrims flock there to place offerings, pray, meditate, and witness the illuminations surrounding the golden stupa. Draped in light and devotion, the esplanade resonates with chants, flowers, and candles, in an atmosphere that is both sacred and deeply vibrant.


To discover in April
Burmese New Year (Thingyan)

Thingyan marks the Burmese New Year with several days of celebration across the country. People splash water on one another in a joyful and friendly atmospher, a symbolic gesture of purification to welcome the new year. It is one of the most popular celebrations in Myanmar.


To discover in May
Kason Festival

Under the full moon of mai, devotees commemorate the three major events of the Buddha’s life: his birth, his enlightenment, and his passing. Throughout the country, temples fill with quiet devotion, and water is poured at the foot of sacred fig trees, symbols of wisdom and renewal.


To discover in August
Taungbyone Spirit Festival (Nat Pwe)

This vibrant festival pays tribute to the “nats,” revered spirits of the Burmese pantheon. For several days, crowds gather in the village of Taungbyone to witness lively rituals blending ecstatic dances, shamanic trances, offerings, and traditional music.


To discover in August
Taunggyi Hot Air Balloon Festival

This vibrant festival pays tribute to the “nats,” revered spirits of the Burmese pantheon. For several days, crowds flock to the village of Taungbyone to attend lively rituals where ecstatic dances, shamanic trances, offerings, and traditional music intertwine.


To discover in October
Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival

On the waters of Inle Lake, this festival brings together the inhabitants of Shan State each year. Four sacred statues are carried on a royal barge, pulled by rowers in traditional attire. The procession travels through the lakeside villages, accompanied by boat races, dances, and local celebrations. A highlight of Intha culture.


To discover in October
Elephant Dance Festival

In this town near Mandalay, large fabric-and-bamboo structures shaped like elephants come to life to the sound of drums. Carried by dancers in a trance, these costumed pachyderms perform rhythmic choreographies in a spectacular competition.


To discover in November
Festival of Lights (Tazaungdaing)

At the end of the rainy season, Myanmar lights up during this warm-hearted festival. Lanterns, candles, and decorations brighten homes and pagodas, while devotees offer robes and provisions to monks. This luminous celebration, both spiritual and joyful, marks generosity and renewal throughout the country.


To discover in December
New Year Karen

Each year, Karen communities celebrate their New Year in a festive atmosphere deeply rooted in tradition. Through dances in traditional costumes, songs, skill games, and spiritual ceremonies, families gather to honor their culture, pass on knowledge, and strengthen community bonds.



To discover in April
Khmer New Year (Chaul Chnam Thmey)

The most important festival in Cambodia marks the transition to the traditional New Year. Water games, religious ceremonies, family gatherings, and traditional dances fill three days of celebrations across the country.


To discover in April/May
Buddha Festival (Visak Bochea)

This day commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha. Solemn processions, offerings, and prayers fill pagodas throughout the country.


To discover in May
Royal Ploughing Ceremony

This ancestral ritual marks the symbolic beginning of the planting season. Two sacred oxen, guided by priests, plow a ceremonial furrow before choosing from several foods. Their choices are believed to predict the harvests to come. A solemn and symbolic moment in the capital.


To discover in May
King Norodom Sihamoni’s Feast Day

Each year, Cambodia celebrates the birthday of King Norodom Sihamoni with a day of tributes and national unity. Official ceremonies, speeches, and cultural performances take place throughout the country. In Phnom Penh in particular, illuminations and concerts bring the evening to life.


To discover in October
Ancestors’ Day (Pchum Ben)

Pchum Ben is one of the most important Buddhist festivals in Cambodia, marked by fifteen days of reflection and devotion. Families gather to honor the memory of their ancestors by placing food offerings in pagodas and taking part in rituals imbued with respect and spirituality.


To discover in October
Festival of the Wandering Souls (Main Day of Pchum Ben)

The most sacred moment of Pchum Ben, this day marks the culmination of the rituals dedicated to the ancestors. Families flock to pagodas to place offerings, recite prayers, and carry out traditions intended to soothe wandering souls and bring them peace.


To discover in November
Independence Day

November 9 marks Cambodia’s independence from France, achieved peacefully in 1953. In Phnom Penh, official ceremonies are held at the Independence Monument. Wreath-laying ceremonies, parades, and illuminations mark this symbolic day.


To discover in November
Water Festival (Bon Om Touk)

Phnom Penh becomes the stage for spectacular pirogue races on the river, attracting thousands of spectators. As night falls, illuminated boats parade by, accompanied by concerts and celebrations in an unforgettable, popular atmosphere.



To discover in February
Boun Ma Kha Bouça

Commemoration of the spontaneous gathering of 1,250 disciples around the Buddha to receive his teachings. At nightfall, temples glow with torchlight processions, moments of meditation, and ceremonies of homage.


To discover in April
Lao New Year (Boun Pii Mai)

The most anticipated celebration of the year. It marks the end of the dry season and celebrates the arrival of a new year. Water takes center stage: splashing games, purification rituals, temple processions, and beauty contests set the rhythm for these festive days.


To discover in May
Rocket Festival (Boun Bang Fai)

In may, in the countryside of Vientiane and Savannakhet, Boun Bang Fai celebrates the arrival of the rains. Handmade rockets are launched into the sky, accompanied by music, dances, and friendly competitions between villages, blending spiritual fervor with popular festivity.


To discover in May
Boun Khao Phansa

The beginning of the three-month monastic retreat during the rainy season. Monks withdraw to temples to study and meditate. Devotees come to bring them offerings and spiritual support.


To discover in September
Boun Khao Padabdin Festival

In September, throughout Laos, Boun Khao Padabdin pays tribute to the deceased. Families bring sticky rice and offerings to temples to symbolically feed the spirits of their ancestors and maintain the bond between the living and the unseen.


To discover in October
Boun Ok Phansa

The end of Buddhist Lent. It is celebrated with ceremonies in which small rafts decorated with flowers and candles are released to float along the rivers. In Luang Prabang and Vientiane, the Festival of Lights is particularly spectacular.


To discover in October
Canoe race (Boun Suang Heua)

In October, in Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and riverside towns, Boun Suang Heua marks the end of the rainy season. Colorful longboat races bring villages together in a festive atmosphere, set to the rhythm of chants, drums, and a spirit of solidarity.


To discover in November
That Luang Festival

The most important religious event in the country, celebrated around the golden stupa of That Luang, a symbol of Laos. Buddhist ceremonies, processions, offerings, and traditional markets enliven the capital for several days.


To discover in December
Laos National Day

Laos celebrates the proclamation of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, founded in 1975. This national day is marked by numerous festivities across the country, particularly in Vientiane, where official ceremonies, military parades, speeches, concerts, and cultural events take place. Flags, traditional attire, and patriotic music fill the streets, creating an atmosphere that is both solemn and festive.


December 31
Hmong New Year

Between late December and early January, the Hmong celebrate their New Year in the provinces of Xieng Khouang, Phongsaly, Oudomxay, Luang Prabang, and around Vientiane. Traditional costumes, dances, and games set the rhythm of the festivities, highlighted by the Makkhon, during which young people toss a cotton ball to one another to meet… and sometimes choose each other.



To discover in January
Bo Sang Umbrella and Sankhampaeng Handicrafts Festival

Streets lined with colorful parasols,
the sound of drums and the fragrance of flowers: Bo Sang comes alive each January to celebrate its artisanal heritage. A vibrant and inspiring festival where art meets tradition.


To be discovered in late January - early February
Chinese Lunar New Year

Drums echoing, the scent of incense in the air, red lanterns hanging from balconies… Thailand comes alive with a special fervor during this time. In the Chinese districts, families lay offerings, the streets glow with light, and lion dances captivate young and old alike in a vibrant swirl of tradition.


To discover in February
Chiang Mai Flower Festival

With its flower-covered floats, colorful parades, and the enchanting scent of jasmine, Chiang mai celebrates the arrival of the beautiful season in its own way each year. For three days, the city transforms into a living garden, with floral beauty contests, local marching bands, and streets adorned with orchids.


To discover in February
Makha Bucha Festival

Makha Bucha celebrates the beginnings of the Buddha’s teachings. At the first light of day, temples fill with chants and offerings. Candles, prayers, and processions illuminate the night throughout the country — a suspended moment imbued with peace and spirituality.


To discover in March
National Thai Elephant Day

A sacred symbol and historical companion, the elephant is celebrated every March 13 throughout the country. Temples and sanctuaries pay tribute with offerings, ritual baths, and ceremonies filled with respect. An emotionally powerful day to encounter this majestic animal in a different way, far from tourist clichés.


To discover in March
Muay Thai Wai Kru Ceremony

Each year, Muay Thai fighters from across the country gather to pay tribute to their masters and ancestors. In a solemn atmosphere, rituals, traditional dances, and demonstrations of sacred boxing serve as a reminder that Muay Thai is far more than a sport: it is an art imbued with respect, spirituality, and transmission.


To discover in April
Chakri Dynasty Day

Every April 6, Thailand celebrates Chakri Dynasty Day in tribute to the royal family that founded the modern kingdom. In Bangkok, an official ceremony takes place at Wat Phra Kaew, led by the monarchy. Throughout the country, Thais pay homage to past kings in a spirit of respect and national pride.


To discover in April
Songkran Festival

Each year in April, Thailand comes alive for Songkran, the traditional New Year. Buddha statues are ritually cleansed, families gather to share meals, and then people arm themselves with buckets and water guns to celebrate together this great moment of renewal.


To discover in May
Yasothon Rocket Festival

In the heart of Isaan’s red lands,
the Yasothon Rocket Festival
sets the sky and spirits ablaze. This
spectacular celebration blends
agricultural traditions and local
beliefs: immense handmade rockets
are launched to call for rain
before the planting season. Amid
colorful parades, folk dances,
and lively rituals, Isaan reveals all
its fervor.


To discover in May
Royal Labour Ceremony in Bangkok

Held each year in Bangkok,
this ceremony marks the beginning of the
agricultural season. Led by a high-ranking
dignitary in traditional attire,
it features sacred oxen
plowing a symbolic field.
Offerings, rituals, and beliefs
intertwine to honor the land and
hope for abundant harvests.


To discover in May
Visakha Bucha Festival

On the full moon of may, Thailand pays tribute to the three great moments of the Buddha’s life: his birth, his enlightenment, and his passing into nirvana. In temples, devotees walk in silent processions, holding a candle in their hands, in an atmosphere of peace and reflection. A profound spiritual celebration that reveals the serenity of the Thai soul.


To discover in June
Phi Ta Khon – Festival of Spirits

In late June, in the province of Loei, the Phi Ta Khon festival fills the streets with color and tradition. Inspired by animist beliefs, this vibrant event blends spirit masks, dances, and rituals to celebrate the return of the Buddha. A unique celebration where mystery and popular joy become one.


To discover in July
Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival

In Ubon Ratchathani, in eastern Thailand, the beginning of Buddhist Lent is celebrated in light. Giant hand-carved candles parade through the streets, accompanied by traditional dances and colorful processions. More than just a festival, it is a spectacular display of the bond between faith, art, and community in this heartland of Isaan.


To discover in July
Asahna Bucha Festival

Asahna Bucha is a key moment in Buddhism: the Buddha’s first sermon, delivered to his five first disciples. Celebrated throughout the country, this July day is an opportunity for devotees to honor the wisdom of the Dharma through offerings, chants, and meditation in temples.


To discover in July
Khao Phansa Festival

Also known as Buddhist Lent Day, Khao Phansa symbolizes the beginning of the monastic retreat in Thailand. For three months, monks withdraw to their temples, while devotees come to make offerings in an atmosphere of calm and devotion.


To discover in October
Awk Phansa Festival

Awk Phansa marks the end of Buddhist Lent, after three months of spiritual retreat for monks. Throughout the country, temples come alive with ceremonies, offerings, and light. It is a moment when spiritual devotion blends with popular joy, notably through river festivals in certain regions.


To discover in October
Vegetarian Festival

The Vegetarian Festival, celebrated throughout the country but especially in Phuket, blends purification rituals, strict fasting, and striking scenes. Nine days of spiritual processions during which some participants, in a trance, pierce their faces to invoke protection, strength, and blessings from the deities.


To discover in November
Loy Krathong and the Yi Peng Lantern Festival

Loy Krathong and Yi Peng illuminate Thailand with rare magic. The first, celebrated throughout the country, invites everyone to place a floating offering on the water to let go of grudges and negative spirits. In northern Thailand, Yi Peng adds a shower of sky lanterns rising into the night like silent prayers.


To discover in November
Monkey Banquet Festival

Each year in Lopburi, the monkeys reign supreme. In front of the Khmer ruins, residents organize a giant banquet for the hundreds of macaques that inhabit the city. Fruits, sweets, and offerings are laid out on long tables in a festive and quirky atmosphere. A unique moment where legend, tradition, and mischief intertwine.


To discover in December
Wonderfruit Festival

Each year in Pattaya, the Wonderfruit Festival brings together travelers, artists, and dreamers in a spirit of creativity, ecological awareness, and sharing. At the heart of nature, amid art installations, live performances, wellness workshops, and sustainable cuisine, this Thai festival celebrates the collective imagination and the beauty of a more responsible world.



To discover end of January
Lunar New Year (Tết)

It is the most important celebration in the country: throughout Vietnam, families gather to welcome the Lunar New Year, honor their ancestors, decorate their homes with flowers, and share traditional dishes in an atmosphere of renewal, hope, and joyful fervor.


To discover in January
Roong Pooc Festival

In the highlands of Sapa, ethnic communities gather to mark the end of the off-season through agricultural rituals, collective dances, and traditional songs, set against the backdrop of terraced rice fields.


To discover in February
Lantern Festival (Tet Nguyen Tieu)

Throughout the country, the Vietnamese celebrate the first full moon of the lunar year by lighting the streets with lanterns, honoring their ancestors with offerings, and sharing sweet treats in an atmosphere of peace and light.


To discover in February
Giong Festival

In Hanoi, grand processions pay tribute to Thanh Giong, a legendary hero who embodies the courage and spirit of resistance of the Vietnamese people, in a festival infused with popular devotion and ancestral symbols.


To discover in February
Yen Tu Festival

Each year, thousands of pilgrims climb the trails of Yen Tu Mountain, an emblematic site of Vietnamese Buddhism, to reach its hilltop pagodas, meditate in nature, and reflect in an atmosphere of mist, devotion, and sacred silence.


Over the seasons
Hue Festival

In Hue, every two years, the imperial past comes alive during a vibrant festival. Parades, ancestral music, performances, and recreated royal ceremonies transport visitors back to the time of the Nguyen Dynasty. Blending living traditions with contemporary artistic creations, the Hue Festival is a vibrant celebration of the Vietnamese soul.


To discover in April
Thay Pagoda Festival

Near Hanoi, at the foot of Mount Sai Son, devotees pay homage to a legendary Zen master through prayers, offerings, and water puppet shows, in a vibrant atmosphere blending spirituality, tradition, and folk art.


To discover in April
Hung Kings Temple Festival

In Phu Tho province, this grand national festival pays homage to the founding kings of Vietnam. Solemn processions, ritual drumming, and the release of lanterns bring together thousands of pilgrims in an atmosphere imbued with pride and spirituality.


To discover end of April to beginning of May
Phu Giay Festival

In Nam Dinh, this vibrant festival celebrates the cult of the Mother Goddesses with lively processions, sacred music, and dances in traditional costumes, blending spiritual devotion with popular heritage.


To discover in April
Reunification Day

Throughout the country, April 30 commemorates the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. Parades, concerts, flags, and fireworks mark this emblematic day, dedicated to national unity and remembrance.


To discover in April and May
Xến Xó Phốn Festival

In the May Chau Valley, White Thai communities gather to invoke the rain through ritual chants, collective dances, and agricultural offerings, in a traditional celebration deeply rooted in the rhythm of the seasons.


To discover in May
Ba Chua Xu Festival

In Chau Doc, in southwestern Vietnam, thousands of pilgrims gather at the foot of Sam Mountain to honor the goddess Ba Chua Xu. Offerings, prayers, and ceremonies set the rhythm of this major gathering, filled with spiritual devotion and popular traditions.


To discover from April to July
Da Nang International Fireworks Festival

Each weekend, the shores of Da Nang light up to the rhythm of a world-renowned pyrotechnic competition, blending bursts of light, captivating music, and spectacular staging against a starry sky.


To discover in June
Long Chu Festival

In Hoi An, in the fishing villages, small sacred boats known as long chu are set afloat to ward off illness and appease spirits. This thousand-year-old ritual, both symbolic and poetic, reflects the harmony between people and the elements.


To discover in August and September
Vu Lan Festival (Day of the Wandering Souls)

Throughout the country, and especially in Hue, families pay tribute to wandering souls by offering food, incense, and prayers. This spiritually imbued festival seeks to soothe forgotten spirits and restore harmony between worlds.


To discover end of August
Hon Chen Temple Festival

In Hue, along the banks of the Perfume River, this colorful festival blends boat processions, ritual dances, and shamanic chants. A sacred moment where popular beliefs, ancient cults, and local devotion converge.


To discover in September
Independence Day

On September 2nd, in cities and countryside across Vietnam, red flags bearing a golden star fly in tribute to the 1945 declaration of independence. Parades, official speeches, and popular festivities mark this day of national pride.


To discover in October
Kate Festival

In the provinces of the South-Central region, Cham communities gather around their sacred towers to celebrate the Kate festival. Royal costumes, captivating drums, and traditional rituals pay tribute to the deities in a celebration rich in color and spirituality.