Laos' Dok Champa Flower Is A Must-See When You Travel There

The experience of traveling through rural Laos is quite exhilarating. You will be transported back in time as you drive down small quiet roads and pass rural villages. Rural Laos has kept a similar culture and tradition for hundreds of years; things haven’t changed much there. It is likely that you will pass through ethnic villages with their own unique traditions. You should keep an eye out for the Dok Champa flower! Plumeria, or the frangipani, is its botanical name. The Lao word Dok actually means flower, and Champa is the Lao word for frangipani.

Dok Champa, the national flower and official symbol of Lao PDR, is a waxy flower with a sweet scent that symbolizes sincerity and joy. Although it comes in a variety of colors, in Laos you will find it as a white flower with a yellow center and five petals. When traveling across Laos, keep an eye out for the short trees that grow to only a few metres from the ground.

The trees are often planted in gardens and monasteries throughout the country. It can be used as a decoration in ceremonies or as a garland to welcome guests. A Baci ceremony is one traditional ceremony where you will see the Dok Champa flower. A traditional ceremony held by local communities to wish someone good luck on their travels or for taking a new direction in life. You may be getting married, starting a new school, having a child, or recovering from an illness. An elder who has previously served as a monk performs the ceremony. You can find the Dok Champa in a prepared flower tray that is placed centrally in the room for people to gather around. Young ladies are likely to perform a traditional dance with a Dok Champa flower in their hair.

During the Baci ceremony, a white thread of silk or cotton is tied around the right wrist of the person receiving the Baci. People attending the baci bless the string before it is tied to the individual. An individual normally wears the thread for a minimum of three days before removing it.

Starting a new venture or naming a place with the name Dok Champa is another common practice. You will often see restaurants, guesthouses, hotels, and even traditional massage establishments with the name Dok Champa when traveling through Laos. For good luck, this is a common practice.

Keep an eye out for this wonderful flower, whether you’re driving on a mountain road or strolling through one of the picturesque villages or towns across Laos, including Luang Prabang, a world heritage site.