Lao National Museum

As one of the oldest remaining colonial buildings in Vientiane, Lao National Museum was founded in 1925 and destroyed in 1945 during the war. It witnessed the revolution of the 1970s and was used as the Lao Revolutionary Museum by the royal government for meetings and ceremonies in 1980s. Now it has become the Lao National Museum.

Lao National Museum is highlighted by the history of that Laotian people’s struggle to free the country from foreign occupiers and imperialist forces. The museum houses antiques, weapons, old portraits and pictures from the war. A permanent gallery depicts the history of Laos from the Lao Lane Xang Kingdom until the modern era.

The first floor is full of modest though very interesting historical exhibits in depicting some of the early history. They include one of the original Jars from the Plain of Jars and various stone and Bronze Age implements. 

The second floor provides us with a great insight into the 18th Century Laotian Kingdom and the customs of the day. The floor builds up to a fervently revolutionary pitch as it documents the heroic struggle of the Lao against the Siamese (Thai), French and American imperialists. Exhibits include items such as socks worn by Politburo members when they escaped from prison and Kaysone Phomvihane's chest expander.

The final rooms, on post-revolutionary Laos, are mostly a photo gallery of pressing topics, providing an insight into some of the modern advancements, though these are fairly dowdy and uninspiring.