Boun Kin Jieng Hmong Ethnic’s New Year Festival – Unique New Year Festival in Laos this December

As an annual festival which takes place from the last days of December to the middle of January, Boun Kin Jieng is the New Year Celebration of the Hmong ethnic community in Laos. The month-long festival is a cultural highlight for tourists visiting the area and based in serviced apartments in Vientiane the likes of well placed Somerset Vientiane and others in the vicinity. In fact, the festival is one of the main draws for visitors heading to Laos during the last month of the year as the colourful community event sees many interesting activities and festivities take place.

Dressed in their finest garbs, the young men and women of the Hmong ethnic group can be seen singing and hosting a make-shift trade exhibit as well as preparing seasonal food items. Folk games and performance art showcases also take centre stage at the New Year celebration where throwing Markhon (tennis balls) as a sign of affection is one of the chief activities.