Hi, everyone
I intend to fly to Laos to enjoy Chrismas Day there, but I donot have much information about Chistmas in Laos. Anyone can share with me?
Many thanks,
Ms Laura Pham
www.discovermekong.com
Reply to this wow... that's an interesting place to spend Christmas. Isn't Laos a communist country? You might want to be careful about your religious practices while there. Can't speak from experience though... just a thought.
Reply to this Isn't Laos a communist country? You might want to be careful about your religious practices while there.
Yes, Laos is a communist country. That said, I have not noticed any kind of repression of religion there (I was there in 1998). Laos is a tapestry of many different peoples and tribes, all with their own customs and religions; Buddhism is the main one though (a much more "relaxed" type than that in neighboring Thailand, and more "integrated" with daily life as well).
So ... rather than "How do the Laotians celebrate Chrismas Day?" one should really ask: "
Do Laotians celebrate Christmas?". Answer, well, there's probably a small minority that does. 😊 Best chance of finding them would be in the capital Vientiane, I guess (though I cannot remember having seen any church there - as opposed to many Buddhist temples).
(A Google for brings up
SE Asia Photo Log @ sgtowns.com as the 10th hit, so yes, apparently there are (some) Christians in Laos. 😊)
Reply to this Googling a bit further, I also found this article:
Violence against Christians in Vientiane and Luang Phrabang (7 September, 2004 LAOS)
Hmmm... better go to a Buddhist temple, maybe?
At the end I read:
"Out of a population of 5.8 million, nearly half of all Laotians are Buddhist whilst animists are just over 40 per cent. There are also about 100,000 Catholics and Protestants, less than 2 per cent of the total."
Reply to this a quick google got me:
Ten Christians arrested in the province of Attapeu
Christmas 2003 celebrations was marked by a new campaing of religious repression in the
Lao People’s Democratic Republic ( LPDR). Eleven Christians were arrested by the communist authorities on 27 and 28 December 2003 in several villages of the district of Sanamsay, province of Attapeu (South), according to reliable informations received by the Lao Movement for the Humans Rights (LMHR). More than ten other Christians are currently sought by the local police, in this same province, for having organized meetings of prayers on Christmas time .
Reply to this Sounds like the situation has changed then since I was there in 1998 - but from the article I read it seems they're targeting specifically Christians, not religion in general.
Still good to know. I'd like to go back to Laos some time. Something to check before I go. (Not that I am really Christian...)
Reply to this I'm sure in Laos that expats and travellers celebrate christmas in some form - I'm not religous but always try to have a couple of glasses of wine, something roast and sing a few songs (after wine) - where ever in the world I find myself on the 25th.
The population of Laos is 1.5%!C(MISSING)hristian.
Laos: Religions: Buddhist 60%!,(MISSING) animist and other 40%!((MISSING)including various Christian denominations 1.5%!)(MISSING)
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TravelBlog Laos info
But alas - I have no idea what it is actually like in Laos during any religous celebration 😊
(I too want to go to Laos and S.E. Asia)
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