Public Holidays in Laos
Statutory public holidays in Laos, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
Laos at a glance
Laos’s public holidays follow the Buddhist lunar calendar, with Lao New Year in mid-April the biggest celebration. The Pi Mai water festival lasts several days and everything closes.
Because the calendar is lunar, Boun Ok Phansa and other festival dates move each Gregorian year, and the April break is the country’s peak travel period.
Laos public holidays 2026
Laos has 8 public holidays in 2026 – the statutory days off. The table below lists those public holidays; observances and other non-statutory dates are not part of the total.
| Holiday | Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Jan 1Thu | National |
| International Women's Rights Day | Mar 8Sun | National |
| International Women's Rights Day (in lieu) | Mar 9Mon | Substitute |
| Lao New Year's Day | Apr 14Tue | National |
| Lao New Year's Day | Apr 15Wed | National |
| Lao New Year's Day | Apr 16Thu | National |
| International Labor Day | May 1Fri | National |
| Lao National Day | Dec 2Wed | National |
Showing 8 of 8 public holidays for 2026.
Major cities in Laos
The urban centres that anchor most trips to Laos.
Vientiane
A low-rise riverside capital of stupas, French villas and a Mekong promenade.
Luang Prabang
A peninsula town of gilded temples and wooden shophouses on the Mekong.
Vang Vieng
A karst valley town on the Nam Song, known for tubing, climbing and caves.
Pakse
A Mekong junction city and base for the Bolaven Plateau and Wat Phou.
Savannakhet
A Mekong trading city with French colonial shophouses and a relaxed pace.
Top attractions in Laos
The places that draw most visitors to Laos.
Luang Prabang Old Town
A peninsula of 33 temples, French colonial houses and a riverside market.
Kuang Si Falls
A multi-tiered turquoise waterfall with pools for swimming in forest.
Pha That Luang
A gold-covered stupa, the national symbol of Laos, in the capital.
Wat Phou
A Khmer temple complex on a hillside above the Mekong in the south.
Plain of Jars
Thousands of megalithic stone jars scattered across a highland plateau.
Si Phan Don
The Four Thousand Islands, where the Mekong breaks into channels and waterfalls.
Festivals, food and getting around Laos
What the calendar looks like on the ground, and how to move through the country around it.
Festivals behind the holidays
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🎉
New Year's Day
Falls on Jan 1
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🎉
International Women's Day (Women Only)
Falls on Mar 8
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🎉
March Equinox
Falls on Mar 20
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🎉
Lao New Year
Falls on Apr 14
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🎉
Lao New Year Holiday
Falls on Apr 15
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🎉
Lao New Year Holiday
Falls on Apr 16
Food & drink
Getting around
Slow boats on the Mekong are iconic but slow; the new high-speed rail has cut journey times dramatically between the main cities.
Travelling around Laos’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in Laos tighten around major holidays; reserve early for the busiest weeks.
Check opening hours
Museums, banks and government offices usually close on statutory holidays, and often on the nearest Monday.
Carry local currency
Small vendors and rural businesses frequently take cash only, especially on holidays when banks are shut.
Expect crowded transport
Long weekends produce the year's heaviest road, rail and air traffic. Build in extra travel time.
Confirm the official list
Laos's holiday dates are confirmed by government announcement; check the year page for the final arrangement.
Plan the long weekends
Pairing a holiday with adjacent weekends gives the longest breaks of the year — and the busiest.
Laos public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does Laos have?
Laos has 8 public holidays in 2026, counting every date typed National, Substitute or Bank in our calendar. Observances, religious dates and regional holidays are listed separately and left out of the total, because they are not days off across the whole country.
Where can I find the full 2026 list?
The complete 2026 calendar for Laos is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are Laos's public holidays paid?
Statutory national holidays are generally paid leave for employees. Observances and commemorative days are usually not.
Do holidays move if they fall on a weekend?
Where a holiday falls on a weekend, Laos typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in Laos?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for Laos?
Calendars are published for 2026, 2025.
School holidays in Lao Peoples Democratic Republic
School term dates in Lao Peoples Democratic Republic
School calendar data last updated 10 Sep 2026. Dates come from education ministries and local education authorities; always re-check with the school before booking travel.