Boun Hua Fai (lit. festival float boat fire/light) is celebrated during Ok Phansa at the end of the three-month rains retreat (Buddhist Lent), which usually falls on a full moon day in October. In Luang Prabang, people make lanterns & parade floats which are carried through town in a procession before being launched onto the Mekong & floated downriver towards Ban Wat That.
This is probably the most beautiful festival in Luang Prabang, with the Lao New Year Festival.
All the families use to build a boat to bless the house. And each inhabitant will have to build his own boat to make wishes when it will be launch on the Mekong River.
Each village of Luang Prabang will also build a big boat. At 6:00 pm, a parade starts at the fountain of Ban Vat That, gathering all the ethnic groups. Few hours and almost 2km after, the parade will arrive in the Vat Xieng Thong where the boats will be launch in the Mekong River.
It is believed these small boats will take away any bad luck and bring good luck.
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The text from: http://www.luangprabangcity.com/spip.php?page=evenement&id_article=136
 is celebrated during Ok Phansa at the end of the three-month rains retreat (Buddhist Lent...){kind=link}
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