Monks on Mekong River Watching Dragon Boat Races

Last Updated on August 14, 2026 by Sarah Wilson

Buddhist Monks Hiding from the Mid-day Sun Under Umbrellas along the Mekong River

See also:

Photo: Broken Buddhas in Laos
Doi Suthep Chiang Mai
Photo: Smoking Man in Phongsaly Province, Laos

At the end of Buddhist Lent (Awk Phansa) in Laos, the biggest dragon boat racing event (Boun Xuang Heua) in Laos, the Vientiane Boat Racing Festival is held on the Mekong River. The monks who have been pretty cloistered near their temples now get a chance to move about more freely and see the happenings. I saw these four guys, hiding under umbrellas from the hot sun, enjoying their day while watching the festivities.