The dates of the next Vat Phou Festival in 2019 will start from 17th February 2019 to 19th February 2019. 

The Vat Phu Festival takes place every year, on the 15th day of the increasing moon of the 3rd month (in January-February) and coincides with the Makha Busa Buddhist Festival. It is based on the Buddhist Lunar Calendar. The celebration is held during the third lunar month of the year because Buddha is said to have delivered certain of his teachings at this time. On this day long ago in India, 1,250 of Buddha’s followers came to see him on their own initiative without a scheduled meeting. All of these followers were said to be “enlightened ones” whom Buddha himself then ordained as teachers. He gave them the main, core teachings of Buddhism to pass on. These teachings were: cease from evil, do good, and cleanse your mind.

This day continue to be celebrated at this actual time. The believers come from a great distance to attend the ceremony ; some of them even come from Thailand and Cambodia; it is also the opportunity for surrounding plain and mountain populations to meet each other, maintaining these relations since time put off.