Ho Phrakeo Museum — Attraction in Vientiane Capital

Ho Phra Keo Museum (also known as Haw Phra Kaew or Hophakaew Museum) in Vientiane:

🏛️ Museum at a Glance

Origins: Built in 1565 by King Setthathirath to house the sacred Emerald Buddha, which now resides in Bangkok’s Grand Palace .

Rebuilt: The temple was destroyed during Siamese invasions (1779 & 1828) and most recently rebuilt between 1936–1942 by the French, based on original plans .

Converted to Museum: Transitioned into a museum in the 1970s, showcasing Lao religious art instead of serving as an active temple .

🎨 What You’ll See Inside

A curated collection of Buddha statues: stone figures dating from the 6th–9th centuries and later bronze and seated statues .

Khmer stone steles, ornate wood carvings (including ancient lacquered doors), a gilded throne made for the Emerald Buddha, bronze frog drums, and palm-leaf manuscripts .

In the garden: a 2,000-year-old stone jar from Laos’s famous Plain of Jars, plus serene landscaped surroundings .

⏰ Visiting Info

Location: Setthathirat Road, at the intersection with Mahasot Road, opposite Wat Si Saket and near the Presidential Palace .

Hours: Typically open daily from 8 AM to 5 PM—some sources note a midday break (e.g., 8 AM–12 PM & 1–4 PM) .

Admission Fee: About 30,000 kip for foreign visitors, and 5,000 kip for locals .

Photography Policy: No photographs or videos allowed inside the main sim building; exterior photography is generally permitted .

🌿 Tips & Highlights

Combine Nearby Visits: Wat Si Saket is directly across the street—both can be visited in one go. Also close to the Presidential Palace and gardens .

Best Time to Go: Early morning or late afternoon keeps you cool and avoids crowds. The gardens offer peaceful shade and seating under the national tree .

Visitor Perspective: Reviewers praise the museum for its tranquil ambience and historic artifacts, though some comment that interior displays can be sparse or underlit .

✅ Summary Table

Feature Details

Built 1565 (rebuilt 1942) Original role Royal temple housing Emerald Buddha Current use Religious art museum Collection highlights Ancient statues, Khmer art, lotus manuscripts, and more Gardens Stone jars, landscaped peaceful courtyard Hours ~8 AM–5 PM (often with midday closure) Entry fee 30,000 kip (foreigners), 5,000 kip (locals) Photo policy No...

Haw Phra Kaew was built in 1565–1566 on the orders of King Setthathirath after he moved the capital from Luang Prabang to Vientiane.[2] The temple was built on the grounds of the royal palace to house the Emerald Buddha figurine, which Setthathirath had brought from Chiang Mai, then the capital of Lanna, to Luang Prabang. The temple was used as Setthathirath's personal place of worship, and because of this, there were no resident monks in this temple unlike other temples in Laos.[1] The Emerald Buddha stayed in the temple for over 200 years, but in 1779, Vientiane was seized by the Siamese General Chao Phraya Chakri (who founded the current Chakri Dynasty of Thailand), the figurine was taken to Thonburi and the temple destroyed. The Buddha now resides in Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok, and is considered the palladium of Thailand. The temple was rebuilt in 1816 by King Anouvong, with a new image crafted in place of the lost Emerald Buddha.[3] However, the temple was again destroyed in 1828 when King Anouvong rebelled against Siam in an attempt to regain full independence, and Vientiane was razed to the ground by Siamese forces in retaliation. The ruined temple was depicted in a drawing by Louis Delaporte (c.1867, shown left). The temple was rebuilt by the French between 1936 and 1942 during the colonial period of French Indochina. The surviving structures of the old temple were used as the basis for the rebuilding; even though it followed the plan of the old temple, the rebuilt temple resembles more of a 19th-century Bangkok-style ubosot or sim.[2] In the 1970s the temple was converted from a place of worship to a museum.[1] It was restored again in...

Let me tell you about a hidden gem I found in Vientiane - the Ho Phrakeo Museum. It might not be the flashiest attraction in town, but it definitely surprised me.

Sure, everyone knows it used to be a temple built for the Emerald Buddha (can you believe it used to house such a famous statue?). The Emerald Buddha itself is long gone, whisked away to Thailand centuries ago. But the museum still has a certain magic.

The minute I stepped into the courtyard, I was struck by the peacefulness. It's a beautiful space, not too big, with intricate carvings and that classic Laotian red. Inside, the collection isn't massive, but each piece felt special. There were these amazing Buddha statues from all different eras, some worn smooth with age, others gleaming with gold. I loved seeing the craftsmanship, the way each detail told a story.

It's not just Buddhas, though. There's a fascinating collection of Khmer sculptures too, and even a lacquered door with Hindu carvings that must be hundreds of years old! Honestly, I wasn't expecting such a rich mix of history and art.

The museum isn't trying to compete with the big boys, and that's what makes it charming. It feels intimate, a place where you can wander around at your own pace and soak it all in. If you're looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of Vientiane, and a chance to connect with Laos's rich cultural heritage, this is...