The well-known Vat Phou temple festival, which is held at the popular UNESCO World Heritage Site each year, is taking place from February 22-24, with a raft of colourful activities on offer for the enjoyment of visitors.

Students rehearse a performance for the Vat Phou festival in Champassak​ province​. –Photo Champassak provincial official

Deputy Director of the Champassak provincial Information, Culture and Tourism Department, Mr Soulin Phetthany, told the Vientiane Times that this year’s programme includes a show about the origins of the ancient temple complex, a concert, parades by local residents, an exhibition of local products, almsgiving, and a candlelight procession.

The ruins of Vat Phou temple in rural Champassak district are more than 1,000 years old and the festival is held to revere the temple ruins and allow people to marvel at its history and the ancient culture it represents.

Tourists can enter the site from 8am to 5pm every day to worship at Buddha images and take pictures of the many ancient structures and panoramic views.

Visitors to Champassak province this month can not only enjoy the Vat Phou temple festival but also share in other events organised during Visit Laos Year, including a concert and a display of agricultural and handicraft products. These can be viewed during the official opening of the province’s Visit​ Laos​ Year​ calendar of events, which takes place on Saturday at the provincial sports stadium.

In addition, the Bolaven Coffee and Tea Festival is ongoing from February 21-23 in Pakxong​ district, the Pakxe Unseen​ Night Market is taking place from February 19-25 in Pakxe​ district, and the Pakxe super challenge run has also been organised.

Provinces in southern Laos have numerous attractions for visitors, both nature-based and historical. Champassak is one such province and no one should miss a visit to this scenic region during their stay in the country.

Among the natural wonders are Khonphapheng, Tad Fan and Tad Yeuang waterfalls, with activities ranging from adventure treks and ziplining to rest and recuperation in the lap of nature.  Visitors can also enjoy produce from the Bolaven Plateau, including its famed coffee.

Tea and coffee grown on the Bolaven Plateau have surged in popularity internationally, with the number and variety of products constantly increasing.

The province has improved the quality of services and stepping up advertising for Visit Laos Year through local and foreign media and participation in international tourism exhibitions.

Tourism is a rapidly growing sector of the economy, so provincial authorities are giving it full support by formulating policies to develop and promote cultural, historical, natural and agricultural tourism in order to attract more tourists to Champassak.

The provincial Information, Culture and Tourism Department is expecting at least 330,700 foreign tourists to visit Champassak this year, generating revenue of about US$64 million.
In 2025, the target figure is at least 350,900 tourists, generating revenue of US$68 million.