3-Day 2-Night Hmong New Year Tour in Phonsavan: Pao Ball Toss, Traditional Costumes, Bullfighting & the Plain of Jars
Multi-day tours
International tour
Festival tour
Experiential tour
Standard
Departure point
→
Destination
Phonsavan, Xieng Khouang, Laos
Phonsavan
Xieng Khouang
Cánh Đồng Chum
3N2Đ (Participation Duration)
Car,Walking (Transportation)
English (Language)
Number of participants 0/12
0 booked
Tour description
The Hmong are one of the largest ethnic groups in Laos, living mainly in the northern mountainous region. Hmong New Year (Noj Peb Caug) is celebrated after the harvest, around late December to mid-January. It is a time for family reunions and giving thanks to ancestors and deities, as well as the biggest festival of the year for the Hmong.
In Phonsavan, the festival takes place on a large open field, with thousands of people wearing hand-embroidered traditional costumes and sparkling silver jewelry. The main activity is pao ball tossing—young men and women stand in rows and toss cloth balls to one another as a way to get acquainted—along with bullfighting, wooden spinning-top races, crossbow shooting, khaen performances and folk singing. You can also visit a nearby Hmong village to see how families celebrate the New Year.
The program combines visits to Plain of Jars Sites 1, 2 and 3, Ban Napia village, where spoons are made from bomb metal, and the MAG center.
In Phonsavan, the festival takes place on a large open field, with thousands of people wearing hand-embroidered traditional costumes and sparkling silver jewelry. The main activity is pao ball tossing—young men and women stand in rows and toss cloth balls to one another as a way to get acquainted—along with bullfighting, wooden spinning-top races, crossbow shooting, khaen performances and folk singing. You can also visit a nearby Hmong village to see how families celebrate the New Year.
The program combines visits to Plain of Jars Sites 1, 2 and 3, Ban Napia village, where spoons are made from bomb metal, and the MAG center.
Meeting point:
View on map
Sân bay Xieng Khouang hoặc khách sạn tại Phonsavan
Đón tại sân bay Xieng Khouang hoặc khách sạn ở Phonsavan. Ngày lễ chính thức của từng năm được chính quyền tỉnh công bố khoảng 1 tháng trước; chúng tôi sẽ xác nhận ngày khởi hành khi quý khách đặt tour.
Detailed itinerary
Morning/Lunch: Pick you up at the airport or hotel, check in, and have lunch.
Afternoon: Visit Plain of Jars Site 1 and the MAG information centre.
Evening: Dinner and a stroll through the Phonsavan New Year Market. Overnight in Phonsavan.
Afternoon: Visit Plain of Jars Site 1 and the MAG information centre.
Evening: Dinner and a stroll through the Phonsavan New Year Market. Overnight in Phonsavan.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Morning: Breakfast. Head to the Hmong New Year festival grounds: watch the traditional costume parade, pao throwing, spinning-top racing, and khene performances.
Noon: Have a Hmong lunch at the fair.
Afternoon: Watch bull fighting and traditional folk games; visit a Hmong village near Phonsavan.
Evening: Dinner. Overnight stay in Phonsavan.
Noon: Have a Hmong lunch at the fair.
Afternoon: Watch bull fighting and traditional folk games; visit a Hmong village near Phonsavan.
Evening: Dinner. Overnight stay in Phonsavan.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning: Breakfast and check out. Visit Plain of Jars Sites 2 and 3.
Noon: Have lunch and visit Ban Napia Village.
Afternoon: Transfer to Xieng Khouang Airport or the bus station, concluding the program.
Noon: Have lunch and visit Ban Napia Village.
Afternoon: Transfer to Xieng Khouang Airport or the bus station, concluding the program.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Tour price includes
• English-speaking local guide as specified in the itinerary
• Private vehicle for airport transfers and throughout the itinerary
• 2 nights at a 3-star hotel in Phonsavan (2 guests per room)
• Meals: 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners
• Admission tickets to Plain of Jars Sites 1, 2 and 3
• Drinking water
• Private vehicle for airport transfers and throughout the itinerary
• 2 nights at a 3-star hotel in Phonsavan (2 guests per room)
• Meals: 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners
• Admission tickets to Plain of Jars Sites 1, 2 and 3
• Drinking water
Tour price excludes
• Airfare and Laos visa
• Single-room supplement and holiday hotel surcharge
• Drinks and games at the fair
• Tips for the guide and driver
• Travel insurance and personal expenses
• Single-room supplement and holiday hotel surcharge
• Drinks and games at the fair
• Tips for the guide and driver
• Travel insurance and personal expenses
Cancellation policy
Cancellation 7 days or more before departure: 100% tour refund.
Cancellation 3–6 days before departure: 50% tour refund.
Cancellation within 3 days of departure or no-show: non-refundable.
In the event of natural disasters, epidemics, or attraction closures required by the authorities, we will assist with changing the date or refunding the unused services.
Cancellation 3–6 days before departure: 50% tour refund.
Cancellation within 3 days of departure or no-show: non-refundable.
In the event of natural disasters, epidemics, or attraction closures required by the authorities, we will assist with changing the date or refunding the unused services.
Other notes
Departure schedule: the festival tour operates only during the festival period according to the Lao lunar calendar; festival dates change each year. Available departure dates are based on the current year's calendar, and dates for subsequent years will be updated. Hotels are very busy during the festival, so book at least 1–2 months in advance.
Safety: some rural areas of Laos still contain unexploded ordnance (UXO) from wartime; always stay on marked trails and follow your guide's instructions.
Currency: the kip (LAK) is the official currency; many places accept USD and Thai baht, but you should exchange some kip for spending at markets, small eateries and in rural areas.
The tour is normally led by an English-speaking local guide; guides speaking Vietnamese, French, Chinese, Thai and other languages can be requested (please advise when booking, subject to guide availability).
The price is 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 according to regulations. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months.
Phonsavan is very cold in December–January (temperatures may fall below 10°C in the early morning), so bring warm clothing. The Hmong New Year dates are announced annually by the province, usually between mid-December and mid-January.
Illustrative photos: Hmong New Year Girls – PTD Phonsavan, CC BY 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Phonsavan Hmong New Year Bullfight – PTD Phonsavan, CC BY 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Phonsavan Hmong New Year - Noj Peb Caug Hmoob nroog Phonsavan – NruasPaoYPP, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Phonsavan Hmong New Year Bullfight – PTD Phonsavan, CC BY 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons).
Safety: some rural areas of Laos still contain unexploded ordnance (UXO) from wartime; always stay on marked trails and follow your guide's instructions.
Currency: the kip (LAK) is the official currency; many places accept USD and Thai baht, but you should exchange some kip for spending at markets, small eateries and in rural areas.
The tour is normally led by an English-speaking local guide; guides speaking Vietnamese, French, Chinese, Thai and other languages can be requested (please advise when booking, subject to guide availability).
The price is 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 according to regulations. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months.
Phonsavan is very cold in December–January (temperatures may fall below 10°C in the early morning), so bring warm clothing. The Hmong New Year dates are announced annually by the province, usually between mid-December and mid-January.
Illustrative photos: Hmong New Year Girls – PTD Phonsavan, CC BY 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Phonsavan Hmong New Year Bullfight – PTD Phonsavan, CC BY 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Phonsavan Hmong New Year - Noj Peb Caug Hmoob nroog Phonsavan – NruasPaoYPP, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Phonsavan Hmong New Year Bullfight – PTD Phonsavan, CC BY 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons).
Detailed price list
| Guest type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adults | $520 |
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