Vientiane Boat Racing Festival Tour 2 Days 1 Night: Ok Phansa Lantern Release Night & Dragon Boat Racing on the Mekong River
Multi-day tours
International tour
City Tour
Festival tour
Standard
Departure point
→
Destination
Vientiane, Laos
Vientiane
Mekong
2N1Đ (Participation Duration)
Car,Walking (Transportation)
English (Language)
Number of participants 0/12
0 booked
Tour description
The day after Ok Phansa, Vientiane hosts Boun Suang Heua – the largest boat racing festival in Laos. Long dugout boats, each with around 50 rowers wearing their village uniforms, compete on the Mekong River before tens of thousands of spectators, amid drumbeats, cheering, and a festive atmosphere that lasts all day.
The program begins on the afternoon of Ok Phansa (October 26, 2026): you visit Pha That Luang and Wat Si Saket, then head to the riverbank in the evening to watch locals release floating lanterns and illuminated boats onto the Mekong River. The following day (October 27, 2026), your guide takes you to a boat-racing viewing area, where you can explore the riverside fair with its many foods and traditional games, while learning about the racing rules and the festival’s spiritual meaning – giving thanks to the Naga river spirits at the end of the rainy season.
The program begins on the afternoon of Ok Phansa (October 26, 2026): you visit Pha That Luang and Wat Si Saket, then head to the riverbank in the evening to watch locals release floating lanterns and illuminated boats onto the Mekong River. The following day (October 27, 2026), your guide takes you to a boat-racing viewing area, where you can explore the riverside fair with its many foods and traditional games, while learning about the racing rules and the festival’s spiritual meaning – giving thanks to the Naga river spirits at the end of the rainy season.
Meeting point:
View on map
Khách sạn của quý khách tại trung tâm Vientiane
Đón tại sân bay Wattay hoặc khách sạn trung tâm Vientiane. Vui lòng gửi tên khách sạn/số hiệu chuyến bay sau khi đặt tour.
Detailed itinerary
Noon: Pick-up at the airport or hotel, check-in, and lunch.
Afternoon: Visit Pha That Luang and Wat Si Saket, and see the temples decorated with candles and lights.
Evening: Dinner, then head to the banks of the Mekong River to release floating lanterns, see lantern boats, and enjoy the festive atmosphere. Overnight in Vientiane.
Afternoon: Visit Pha That Luang and Wat Si Saket, and see the temples decorated with candles and lights.
Evening: Dinner, then head to the banks of the Mekong River to release floating lanterns, see lantern boats, and enjoy the festive atmosphere. Overnight in Vientiane.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Morning: Breakfast. Go to the Mekong River to watch the boat races and stroll through the riverside fair.
Noon: Enjoy street food at the fair with the guide.
Afternoon: Watch the final races (depending on the schedule), check out (luggage has been sent ahead).
16:00: Transfer to the airport or hotel, ending the program.
Noon: Enjoy street food at the fair with the guide.
Afternoon: Watch the final races (depending on the schedule), check out (luggage has been sent ahead).
16:00: Transfer to the airport or hotel, ending the program.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Tour price includes
• English-speaking local guide according to the itinerary
• Airport/hotel transfers
• 1 night at a centrally located 3-star hotel in Vientiane (2 guests per room)
• Meals: 1 breakfast, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
• Floating lanterns and entrance tickets according to the itinerary
• Bottled water
• Airport/hotel transfers
• 1 night at a centrally located 3-star hotel in Vientiane (2 guests per room)
• Meals: 1 breakfast, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
• Floating lanterns and entrance tickets according to the itinerary
• Bottled water
Tour price excludes
• Airfare and Laos visa
• Single-room supplement and holiday hotel surcharge (if applicable)
• Drinks outside the program and games at the fair
• Tips for the guide
• Travel insurance and personal expenses
• Single-room supplement and holiday hotel surcharge (if applicable)
• Drinks outside the program and games at the fair
• Tips for the guide
• 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 runs only during the festival period according to the Lao lunar calendar; the festival dates change each year. Departure dates currently available for booking follow the current year’s calendar, and later years will be updated. Hotels are very busy during the festival, so booking at least 1–2 months in advance is recommended.
Dress code: when entering temples, the Royal Palace, and historical sites, please wear clothing that covers your shoulders and trousers/skirts below the knees, and remove your shoes before entering the main sanctuary.
Currency: the Kip (LAK) is the official currency; many places accept USD and Thai Baht, but it is advisable to exchange some Kip for spending at markets, small eateries, and in rural areas.
The tour is normally led by an English-speaking local guide; Vietnamese-, French-, Chinese-, or Thai-speaking guides may be requested (please notify us when booking; subject to guide availability).
The price applies per guest for private tours with groups of 2 or more guests. Larger groups receive better rates; please contact us.
Visas: 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.
2026 schedule: Ok Phansa night on October 26, boat racing on October 27, 2026. The riverside area will be very crowded, so please take good care of your belongings.
Illustrative photos: Preparing Ok Phansa festival – ASITRAC, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Sunset Mekong Vientiane – GuillaumeG, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Mekong, Vientiane, Laos (5247729485) – yeowatzup, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons).
Dress code: when entering temples, the Royal Palace, and historical sites, please wear clothing that covers your shoulders and trousers/skirts below the knees, and remove your shoes before entering the main sanctuary.
Currency: the Kip (LAK) is the official currency; many places accept USD and Thai Baht, but it is advisable to exchange some Kip for spending at markets, small eateries, and in rural areas.
The tour is normally led by an English-speaking local guide; Vietnamese-, French-, Chinese-, or Thai-speaking guides may be requested (please notify us when booking; subject to guide availability).
The price applies per guest for private tours with groups of 2 or more guests. Larger groups receive better rates; please contact us.
Visas: 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.
2026 schedule: Ok Phansa night on October 26, boat racing on October 27, 2026. The riverside area will be very crowded, so please take good care of your belongings.
Illustrative photos: Preparing Ok Phansa festival – ASITRAC, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Sunset Mekong Vientiane – GuillaumeG, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Mekong, Vientiane, Laos (5247729485) – yeowatzup, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons).
Detailed price list
| Guest type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adults | $250 |
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