Tak Bat is the daily morning almsgiving, in which Buddhist monks from the town's temples walk in single file through the streets of the old town before sunrise, carrying bowls to receive food from lay people kneeling along the route. It has been part of Lao life for centuries, and in Luang Prabang it has become the best-known ritual in the country. It is also the most strained one. The ceremony takes place in the UNESCO-protected centre every morning, and the crowd of visitors is now often larger than the number of locals taking part. Residents have raised concerns about noise, flash photography and tourists who treat the monks as a photo opportunity. The best approach is to watch quietly from a respectful distance, or to take part only if you are prepared to do it properly. The simple rules are short: dress modestly, stay silent, keep your distance, never touch the monks, and do not use flash. Many visitors now choose to watch from a side street instead of the busiest stretch of the main road.
What is actually happening is a religious exchange. The monks rely on daily offerings, and lay Buddhists make them to earn merit. Local women and men kneel on mats along the pavement with baskets of sticky rice, and each monk lifts the lid of his bowl as he passes and receives a small handful. The rice is mostly for the monks' only meal of the day before noon, and any surplus is often passed on to children and the poor. It is the act of giving, not the food, that matters, and it is done without speech.
If you do want to give, prepare in advance. Ask your hotel to prepare fresh sticky rice, because food sold by street vendors along the route is often badly stored and can cause food poisoning. Do not offer packaged snacks, instant noodles or money. Women should kneel and cover their shoulders, with a scarf or shawl over the upper body, and everyone should remove their shoes and any hat. Do not stand higher than the monks, which rules out walls, steps and stools, and do not walk alongside the procession or touch a monk or his robe. Women especially should never touch a monk at all.
If you prefer not to give, simply watch. Stand across the street at least a few metres from the line, keep your voice down, turn off flash and use a long lens rather than approaching, or just put the camera away. A guided visit, such as a small-group city tour that includes the ceremony with a local guide, can help you find a good spot and explain what is happening. Expect the ceremony to begin around dawn, so be in place before it starts.
What to expect
The experience
A silent procession of monks along the main streets of the old town before sunrise, watched from the pavement or taken part in by kneeling and placing sticky rice in each bowl.
Best time
Be in place before dawn; the procession usually passes within the first hour of daylight.
How long
About an hour from the first monks to the last, plus time to walk back for breakfast.
Tips
Dress modestly, stay silent, keep several metres back, no flash, no touching, and do not buy rice from roadside sellers.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Travellers who want to understand daily Lao Buddhism and are prepared to behave as respectful observers.
- Families
- Children can watch, but they need to be quiet and kept back from the line, so it suits older kids best.
- Couples
- A still, atmospheric start to the day, followed by breakfast at the morning market.
- Pair with
- The morning market, Wat Xieng Thong and a walk up Mount Phousi later in the day.
- Time needed
- One hour at dawn; it fits easily before a full day of sightseeing.
Good questions
What time is the alms-giving ceremony?+
It begins at dawn, before or around sunrise, and lasts about an hour. The exact time shifts with the season, so ask your hotel the evening before.
Can tourists take part in Tak Bat?+
Yes, but only if you do it respectfully: prepare fresh sticky rice through your hotel, dress modestly, kneel and stay silent. If in doubt, observe from a distance instead.
What should I not do during the alms round?+
Do not use flash, touch the monks, stand higher than them, make noise or block their path. Do not offer packaged food or money, and avoid buying food from vendors on the route.
What should I wear?+
Cover your shoulders and knees, and women should wear a scarf or shawl over the shoulders when giving. Remove your shoes and hat before kneeling to give.
Is it worth going if I am only watching?+
Yes, if you stay quiet and keep your distance, it is one of the most memorable experiences in Laos. Choose a side street over the busiest main road to avoid the crowds.
