VIENTIANE, July 1 (Xinhua) -- As the rainy season begins, people across Laos celebrate the annual Rocket Festival with cheers and rockets soaring into the sky -- a joyful gathering of friends and families embracing the green season and hoping for a rich harvest.

The Rocket Festival is a lively and cherished tradition observed annually throughout the country at the start of the rainy season, usually occurring between May and June.

Xaysavanh, a resident of the capital Vientiane, is a passionate fan of the festival who travels to different villages each year to experience the celebration. For him, the festival is more than just fun; it is a powerful cultural tradition that brings people together.

He values how the festival helps keep Lao traditions alive for the younger generation.

"I have friends from all over Laos, and this festival gives me a reason to travel, reconnect, and celebrate together. Every village has its own charm, its own way of celebrating," Xaysavanh told Xinhua on Sunday.

"The festival carries our hopes into the sky, for rain, for a good harvest, and for a year without hardship. Most of my friends come from farming families, so I understand how important this festival is to them," he added.

Sengaloun, a resident of Vientiane province, told Xinhua that the festival is a joyful celebration for all ages. For the older generation, it is a time to honor ancestors and pray for rain and a good harvest. For the youth, the festival is filled with music, dancing, and laughter.

"This festival also brings me great happiness, as it reunites me with old friends who gather at my home to share food, stories, and laughter," he said.

"I invite them to my house every year, and we celebrate together. It's a joyful moment I look forward to all year."

Phitsamay, an office worker from the capital Vientiane, shared that she often attends the Rocket Festival with a group of friends and always has a wonderful time. She described the atmosphere as energetic and lively, filled with music, laughter, and excitement.

"I feel excited, heartwarming, and full of joy every time I visit this festival. It's such a great experience to spend time with friends and enjoy the festive spirit together," said Phitsamay.

The Rocket Festival is held to call for rain and celebrate fertility, reflecting deep ties to Laos' agricultural traditions. During the celebration, people gather in fields on the outskirts of villages and towns to launch homemade firework rockets high into the sky. These rockets are fired as a symbolic plea to the rain gods, asking for showers that will nourish the land and ensure a successful, abundant harvest.

Alongside the rocket launches, the festival also features a variety of fun activities, making it both a spiritual ritual and a lively community event.