VIENTIANE, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- Rivers, temples, and households in Laos were brightened with colorful lights as communities came together to celebrate the end of Buddhist Lent and the traditional boat races, uniting in a festive blend of faith, culture, and lively celebration.

The end of Buddhist Lent was marked on Tuesday, with temples illuminated by candles and lanterns as devotees offered alms and flowers in a display of devotion and gratitude. In the evening, people gathered at rivers for vibrant ceremonies, floating small lighted boats made from banana leaves to honor the river spirit and symbolically wash away bad luck. Some families also observed the tradition at home, lighting candles on balconies and prayer altars to mark the spiritual occasion.

Malavone, a resident of the Lao capital Vientiane, shared that the end of Buddhist Lent is a deeply meaningful tradition. She described the beauty of temples illuminated with colorful lanterns, the joy of offering alms, and the lively atmosphere at the night market along the Mekong River.

"To celebrate this festival, I bring my family to the temple every year," she told Xinhua. "We went to see the colorful lanterns -- it was just magical. Everything was glowing, and my family was filled with smiles and joy."

"Walking around the night market and exhibitions is also a must! We always buy grilled chicken and sticky rice because they are symbols of the traditional flavors of Lao festivals."

For Malavone, the festival is more than a celebration of faith and culture; it's also a way to pass down Lao traditions to the next generation.

The festival featured lively day and night activities, including exhibitions and stalls selling local and international goods.

Billy, a domestic traveler from southern Laos' Champasak province, said the festival marks a joyful and lively time for him. Although the exhibitions can be hot and crowded, he enjoys exploring the many creative products on display, especially food items from young Lao vendors and neighboring countries.

"Every year, this festival brings so much energy and excitement. I've seen it grow each year, and this time I was especially impressed by the variety and creativity of the offerings. The young vendors really stood out with their unique foods, drinks, and handmade goods," he said.

"At night, my girlfriend and I went down to the Mekong riverbank and floated a lighted boat together. It's such a beautiful tradition. Sharing that moment with someone you love makes it even more special," he added.

After visiting Vientiane, Billy plans to continue his trip to northern Laos' Luang Prabang province. "I've seen photos of the stunning lantern displays and dragon boat parades there in previous years, and now I really want to experience it for myself," he said.

Alongside the end of Buddhist Lent, the traditional boat racing festival took place along the Mekong River, attracting large crowds of both domestic and international tourists. In Vientiane, the festivities were held on Wednesday, drawing people of all ages to the riverbanks in a vibrant and joyful atmosphere.

Khammanh, a local vendor, told Xinhua that the boat race is one of the festival's highlights. "It's more than a race, it's our pride and tradition. It brings everyone together. I come every year to recharge after a long year of hard work," he said.

The event also left a strong impression on foreign visitors. Kornkanok, a tourist from Thailand, described the atmosphere as electric and said the festival is truly unforgettable.

George, a traveler from New Zealand, shared his amazement, calling the festival lively and powerful. "The sound of the boats, the crowd, the drums -- it all comes together in such an incredible way," he said. ■