Public Holidays in Laos for 2019
Traditionally, the Laos Public Holiday 2019 is based on the solar-lunar mixed calendar. The year has solar phases, and the months are divided into lunar phases. It was in 638 BC when the Lao Buddhist Era started.
Laos festivals are connected to agricultural seasons or Buddhist holidays, and “BOUN” is the general word they use for the festival. Generally, Lao people are into partying and enjoy festivals. Some festivals like the new year unofficially begin a couple of days earlier, and it lasts for a week.
Laos has experienced two Indochina wars, and it used to be isolated, but now they have some retail stores. It is the government of Laos that decides the holidays each year.
What Employers Need to Know About Public Holidays
There are 15 holidays in Lao People’s Democratic Republic. During public holidays, government offices are closed, as well as banks and businesses. Make sure that your visa needs or any travel arrangements can be accomplished on different days, especially during the Pi Mai Lao (Lao New Year) holiday which is in April. In case the holiday is on the weekend, the following weekday will be the holiday.
The dates of public holidays can still be changed based on certain circumstances, but other than that, they remain constant.
As a business owner, you must observe these public holidays and adhere to the government’s guidelines.
Dates of the Laos Public Holiday 2019
Dates | Which Day/s | Holiday | Type |
1 January | Tuesday | New Year’s Day | National |
8 March | Friday | International Women’s Day | Public |
14 April | Sunday | Lao New Year | Public |
15 April | Monday | Lao New Year Holiday | Public |
16 April | Tuesday | Lao New Year Holiday | Public |
17 April | Wednesday | Lao New Year Holiday | Public |
1 May | Wednesday | International Labor Day | Public |
18 – 20 May | Saturday | Visakhabousa Day | Public |
22 July | Monday | Women’s Union Establishment Day | Public |
23 September | Monday | September Equinox | Season |
14 October | Monday | Boat Racing Festival | Public |
15 October | Bouk Ok Pansa Observed | End of Buddhist Lent Day | Public |
11 November | Monday | That Luang Festival | Public |
2 December | Monday | National Day | National |
22 December | Sunday | December Solstice | Season |
Employee Benefits in Laos During Holidays
Employees must be given 15 days of holiday each year or 18 days if they are performing hazardous or arduous tasks. These are aside from the official weekly rest days.
The employees are entitled to one day rest day a week. Lao employees must have six public holidays if they are not working in a toxic environment, and they are not doing hazardous work. This is based on the labor law, and are entitled to their country’s national day.
Doing Business in Laos
Laos’ business environment has opened more opportunities for investment in different economic sectors. By exploring with the difficulties of the business openings that Lao can offer, intrigued speculators must have the most recent experiences about the administrative and lawful prerequisites that remote financial specialists need to know.
Selling Imported Products
Some foreign companies can sell through companies in Laos. Like other developing markets, there will be obstacles. However, it is believed that you will find that Laos is more open to international investors now than before.
Phone Case Business
Even if there are a lot of phone case businesses already, there is still a huge opportunity to open new stores and emerge. You can do drop shipping of products from nearby countries. You can sell iPhone cases, Samsung phone cases, and a lot more. If you want to target women, you can sell feminine cases like cute animals, floral patterns, marble, or lace patterns. You can also aim for work travellers like entrepreneurs or salespeople. There are also charging phone cases you can sell, which is convenient for those who do not want to bring a lot of things with them.
You should do business in Laos because aside from its emerging economy, the government’s goal is to become “the battery of Southeast Asia.” They plan to harness hydropower, solar wind, thermal energy so they can export electricity.
There are many reasons why setup a business in Laos that will make you a successful entrepreneur. This country has a lot of room for growth, and they are always looking for ways to improve its business economy.