Laos

What locals do:

Champa Flower, or Plumeria, is more than just a beautiful flower – it’s the national flower of Laos and an essential element of Lao culture, customs, and traditions. From religious practices to festivals and traditional custom, Champa flower has become an integral part of Laos’ cultural identity. In Lao Buddhism, the Champa flower symbolizes purity, perfection, and enlightenment. During important religious events, Champa garlands are commonly used to decorate Buddhist temples and shrines, and they are also worn by Buddhist monks and followers as a symbol of spiritual devotion. Additionally, the Champa Flower’s unique beauty and fragrance make it a popular decorative element in Lao traditional clothing. Lao girls particularly like to adorn their hair with Champa flowers for an enchanting look. One of the most exciting events in Laos is the annual Boun Bang Fai Rocket Festival, where locals use Champa flowers to create stunning floats and launch rockets into the sky to celebrate the arrival of the rainy season…