Southeast Asia Information Port News (www.dnyxxg.com) On January 30, 2026, as the kapok flowers bloomed, the 23rd Kapok Festival of the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone in Bokeo Province, Laos, grandly opened on Kapok Island.
Khampan Phyavong, member of the Politburo of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee; Somsavat Lingsavat, former Deputy Prime Minister; Benkhorn Bouchanping, Secretary of the Bokeo Provincial Party Committee; officials from various Lao departments; leaders of the Special Economic Zone Management Committee; and guests from Chiang Saen and Chiang Khong districts of Thailand gathered at the event to celebrate this cultural extravaganza.
Cultural Heritage: From Folk Treasure to Contemporary Icon
The Kapok Festival is a traditional folk festival in Bokeo Province, Laos, and has been held for 26 years. Since the establishment of the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone in 2007, the Management Committee has continuously preserved and promoted this festival, elevating it from a source of local emotional attachment to a comprehensive event integrating culture, tourism, and trade, becoming an important symbol of the Special Economic Zone's development achievements and regional vitality.
A Diverse Array of Activities Showcasing a New Humanistic Landscape
This year's Kapok Festival, themed "Kapok Blossoms Reflect Nineteen Years, Together We Paint a New Chapter," featured a series of activities that blended traditional folk culture with contemporary relevance: the "Miss Kapok" beauty pageant showcased the wisdom and confidence of Lao women; a Lao cultural performance depicted ancient legends and the struggles of the past; a traditional market combined commerce and folk customs, conveying the vibrant spirit of the people; and the "Golden Triangle of Peace" art exhibition captured the region's transformation from turmoil to peace, expressing aspirations for a peaceful and prosperous life.
Strategic Planning: Building a New Benchmark for Regional Development
Benkham Buchanping, Secretary of the Bokeo Provincial Party Committee, stated that the Kapok Festival has become a national-level tourism event and an important window showcasing the natural and cultural charm of Laos. He expressed hope that culture would serve as a bond to unite development efforts. Gao Rong, Vice Chairman of the Special Economic Zone Management Committee, stated that the Special Economic Zone will focus on four core industries, building a bridgehead for the Lancang-Mekong Economic Zone and a modern health and wellness destination. Khamphan Phyavong, a member of the Politburo of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee, praised the peace message conveyed by the art exhibition and expressed his hope that cultural activities would showcase the true face of the special economic zone and dispel stereotypes.
This Kapok Festival is not only a concentrated display of Lao traditional culture but also an important link for cross-border people-to-people exchanges. Leveraging the opportunity of building a China-Laos community with a shared future, the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone is moving towards a new future of lasting peace, stability, and win-win cooperation with the vitality of the kapok tree.
