On the morning of April 4, in Nua Ngam Commune, the Lao Water Splashing Festival (Bun Huot Nam), associated with the 1st Cultural and Sports Festival of Ethnic Groups of the commune in 2026, was held in a solemn and festive atmosphere. Attending the festival were Ms. Cao Thi Tuyet Lan, Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People’s Council; Mr. Nguyen Minh Phu, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee; representatives of several provincial departments and agencies, along with a large number of local residents from various ethnic groups.

Art performance titled “Nua Ngam – Convergence and Development.”

The Lao Water Splashing Festival (Bun Huot Nam) is one of the distinctive traditional cultural activities with special significance in the spiritual life of the Lao ethnic community in the locality. The festival is not only an occasion for community gathering and bonding but also contributes to preserving and promoting intangible cultural heritage values, while encouraging patriotic emulation movements such as “All People Unite to Build Cultural Life” and “All People Exercise Following the Example of President Ho Chi Minh.”

The festival is also an opportunity to introduce, preserve and promote the traditional cultural heritage values of the ethnic communities in Nua Ngam Commune.

According to tradition, the festival is held annually in April, symbolizing wishes for favorable weather, prosperous crops and a prosperous, happy life. It is also a time for people to wash away the misfortunes of the old year and welcome the new year with good fortune and blessings.

Local people perform the wrist-tying ceremony to wish good luck to visitors attending the Lao Water Splashing Festival (Bun Huot Nam).

The festival includes two main parts: the ceremonial rituals and the festive activities. The ceremonial part takes place solemnly with traditional rituals such as village worship and ancestral offerings conducted by the shaman; the water-requesting ritual and offerings to river and stream deities to pray for peace and good fortune for the community.

The festive part features many vibrant activities, with the water-splashing ritual as the highlight. Local people and visitors splash water on each other to convey wishes for good luck, health and happiness, while washing away bad luck and welcoming good things. In addition, graceful lam vong dances and traditional folk games create a joyful and united atmosphere.

The ritual of worshipping river and stream deities to pray for peace and good fortune for the community...

...and for favorable weather and abundant harvests in the coming year.

Within the framework of the festival, Nua Ngam Commune also organized a series of diverse activities such as community art exchanges, ethnic costume performances, traditional sports competitions (tug of war, con throwing, stick pushing) and spaces for experiencing unique folk games, attracting the participation of many residents and visitors.

The water-requesting ritual for good luck.

The Lao Water Splashing Festival and the 1st Cultural and Sports Festival of Ethnic Groups of Nua Ngam Commune are held over three days, from April 3 to April 5, 2026, at the Community Cultural House of Na Sang 1 Village.

The festival contributes to implementing the Party and State’s policy of preserving and promoting traditional cultural identities associated with tourism development.

Visitors and local residents immerse themselves in the joyful atmosphere of the Lao Water Splashing Festival./.

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