1-Day Boun Bang Fai Rocket Festival Tour from Vientiane: Rocket Procession, Singing & Dancing, and Rocket Launches to Pray for Rain
Day tour
International tour
Festival tour
Experiential tour
Standard
Departure point
→
Destination
Vientiane, Laos
Vientiane
Boun Bang Fai
1N (Participation Duration)
Car,Walking (Transportation)
English (Language)
Number of participants 0/12
0 booked
Tour description
Boun Bang Fai (the rocket festival) is an ancient festival of the Lao people and the Isan region, held around May–June before the rice-planting season begins. According to folk beliefs, homemade rockets launched into the sky remind Phaya Thaen—the sky god—to bring rain for the crops.
Each village holds the festival on a different day, usually on a weekend. Villagers make rockets from bamboo or plastic tubes packed with gunpowder, elaborately decorate them in the shapes of dragons and Naga serpents, then parade them around the village amid drums, khene music, singing, dancing, and playful costumes and antics. In the afternoon, each team takes turns launching its rocket; the team whose rocket flies highest and farthest is cheered, while the losing team is... thrown into the mud.
The guide will select a suitable village festival (the date will be confirmed when booking the tour) and take you to a safe viewing location.
Each village holds the festival on a different day, usually on a weekend. Villagers make rockets from bamboo or plastic tubes packed with gunpowder, elaborately decorate them in the shapes of dragons and Naga serpents, then parade them around the village amid drums, khene music, singing, dancing, and playful costumes and antics. In the afternoon, each team takes turns launching its rocket; the team whose rocket flies highest and farthest is cheered, while the losing team is... thrown into the mud.
The guide will select a suitable village festival (the date will be confirmed when booking the tour) and take you to a safe viewing location.
Meeting point:
View on map
Khách sạn của quý khách tại trung tâm Vientiane
Đón tại khách sạn trung tâm Vientiane. Lễ hội Boun Bang Fai tổ chức ở từng làng vào các ngày khác nhau trong tháng 5 – 6; chúng tôi sẽ chọn làng và xác nhận ngày khi quý khách đặt tour.
Detailed itinerary
Morning (08:00): The vehicle and guide pick you up at the hotel and depart for the festival village (approximately 1–1.5 hours).
09:30: Watch the procession of decorated rockets around the village, with dancing, singing, and costumes; learn how the rockets are made and about the festival’s significance.
Lunch (12:00): Enjoy Lao dishes at the festival.
Afternoon (13:30): Watch the rocket launches from a safe location and cheer on the teams.
16:00: Return to Vientiane. 17:30: Arrive back at the hotel, marking the end of the tour.
09:30: Watch the procession of decorated rockets around the village, with dancing, singing, and costumes; learn how the rockets are made and about the festival’s significance.
Lunch (12:00): Enjoy Lao dishes at the festival.
Afternoon (13:30): Watch the rocket launches from a safe location and cheer on the teams.
16:00: Return to Vientiane. 17:30: Arrive back at the hotel, marking the end of the tour.
Meals: Lunch
Tour price includes
• English-speaking local guide throughout the tour
• Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver
• 01 lunch
• Bottled water
• Hotel pickup and drop-off in central Vientiane
• Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver
• 01 lunch
• Bottled water
• Hotel pickup and drop-off in central Vientiane
Tour price excludes
• Drinks and games at the festival
• Tips for the guide and driver
• Travel insurance
• Tips for the guide and driver
• Travel insurance
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation with a 100% refund when notified at least 24 hours before departure. Cancellations made within 24 hours of departure are non-refundable. In the event of bad weather or attraction closures required by the authorities, we can help reschedule the tour or provide a full refund.
Other notes
Departure schedule: the festival tour operates only during the festival period according to the Lao lunar calendar; the festival date changes every year. Current departure dates are available for booking according to this year's schedule, and dates for subsequent years will be updated. Hotels are very busy during the festival period, so book at least 1–2 months in advance.
The tour is normally led by an English-speaking local guide; Vietnamese-, French-, Chinese-, and Thai-speaking guides can be requested (please advise when booking, subject to guide availability).
The price applies per guest, based on a private tour for groups of 2 or more guests. Larger groups receive better rates; please contact us.
Visa: international visitors need a Laos visa (apply for an e-visa online before the trip or obtain a visa at international airports and international border crossings); citizens of ASEAN countries are visa-exempt in accordance with regulations. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months.
Safety: always remain in the spectator area as instructed and stay away from the launch platforms. The festival involves plenty of alcohol and playful water and mud throwing, so wear clothes that can get dirty.
Illustrative photos: 2013 Yasothon Rocket Festival 02 – Takeaway, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons); 2013 Yasothon Rocket Festival 05 – Takeaway, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons); 2013 Yasothon Rocket Festival 01 – Takeaway, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons); 2013 Yasothon Rocket Festival 06 – Takeaway, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons).
The tour is normally led by an English-speaking local guide; Vietnamese-, French-, Chinese-, and Thai-speaking guides can be requested (please advise when booking, subject to guide availability).
The price applies per guest, based on a private tour for groups of 2 or more guests. Larger groups receive better rates; please contact us.
Visa: international visitors need a Laos visa (apply for an e-visa online before the trip or obtain a visa at international airports and international border crossings); citizens of ASEAN countries are visa-exempt in accordance with regulations. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months.
Safety: always remain in the spectator area as instructed and stay away from the launch platforms. The festival involves plenty of alcohol and playful water and mud throwing, so wear clothes that can get dirty.
Illustrative photos: 2013 Yasothon Rocket Festival 02 – Takeaway, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons); 2013 Yasothon Rocket Festival 05 – Takeaway, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons); 2013 Yasothon Rocket Festival 01 – Takeaway, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons); 2013 Yasothon Rocket Festival 06 – Takeaway, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons).
Detailed price list
| Guest type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adults | $65 |
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