Bunpimay Festival is a significant occasion for Laotians to express reverence to the Buddha and ancestors, contributing to enhancing the friendship between Vietnam and Laos. Bunpimay - the Laotian New Year 2567 according to the Buddhist calendar in 2024, for the Lao-Vietnamese community in Krong Na commune, Buon Don district, Dak Lak province, marked the first time the procession of the 'spring princess Nang Sangkhane' was held.

On April 14, the District Party Committee, People's Committee, and Fatherland Front Committee of Buon Don district (Dak Lak province) collaborated with the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association of Dak Lak province to organize the Traditional Bunpimay Festival for Lao-Vietnamese people at the Suspension Bridge Tourism Center (Buon Tri, Krong Na commune, Buon Don district).

Traditional Bunpimay Festival: First time procession of 'spring princess Nang Sangkhane' Buon Don is a border district with 24 ethnic groups residing, including approximately 110 Lao-Vietnamese households, with over 400 individuals mainly concentrated in Krong Na commune. Over the years, the Lao-Vietnamese community in Buon Don has always oriented towards their roots. Bunpimay Festival is the most significant celebration of the Lao ethnic community. It is an occasion for Laotians to express reverence to the Buddha and ancestors. Additionally, it is a vital cultural activity of the locality, contributing to fostering the friendship between the people of Vietnam and Laos.

Before performing the rituals, the Lao community holds a street festival, parading the spring princess Nang Sangkhanne, performing the lam vong dance, and splashing water throughout the procession.

The Bunpimay Festival starts with a New Year's celebration, where people meditate and listen to New Year's wishes for good health. Following that is the Buddha bathing ceremony, wishing for coolness and prosperity for all things, purifying human life. People and tourists participate in the lantern festival, releasing flower rafts into the river to ward off all the risks of the old year.

Next is the sand pagoda construction ceremony, where monks recite scriptures to pray for physical health, mental purity, and enlightenment. Especially, on Lao Bunpimay, it is essential to perform the finger-binding ritual to wish for health and happiness in the new year.

The Bunpimay Festival of the Laotian people cannot be without the ritual of tying the wrist to wish for health and happiness in the new year.

Delegates and people perform the ritual of bathing the Buddha.

During the Lao Bunpimay, after the folk rituals end, the Lao ethnic people immerse themselves in traditional music, swaying to the lam vong dance, and participating in the water-splashing festival.

During the Bunpimay Traditional Festival, tourists can also enjoy the unique culinary culture of the Laotians by tasting lạp with sticky rice. Lạp means luck - a dish used for special occasions or for honored guests.

Mr. Y Sy That Ksor, Vice Chairman of Buon Don District People's Committee, stated that maintaining the Bunpimay Festival annually not only demonstrates the special attention of Party committees and authorities to the Lao ethnic community living in Vietnam but also reflects the consistent spirit of national solidarity of the Vietnamese people. Thereby, contributing to promoting cultural activities of ethnic groups, serving effectively for community tourism development.

At the festival, the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association of Dak Lak province and Buon Don District People's Committee presented 10 gifts to exemplary families, Lao-Vietnamese families in difficult circumstances. At the same time, Buon Don District People's Committee also awarded certificates of merit to 1 collective, 5 individuals with outstanding achievements in participating in activities to foster the friendship between Vietnam and Laos.