Museums in Vientiane

When we talk about the museum, we usually think about the history and the vital occurrence in the past. Someone say that learning from today to struggle for a better future is more important than focus learning things from the past. As being one of Lao youth, I think Lao adolescences like learning form the past. Whether we know and understand things from the past, we will know how to do for a bright future and not to do a mistake like the past. Nowadays, the number of Lao youth, who is interested in learning history, increases a lot because of government. Lao government seriously encourages Lao adolescents to gain their awareness of Lao history by establishing so many museums in Vientiane and other provinces. Within this article, I will introduce you 5 museums in Vientiane. Lets get to the point. Comment by WIN7: museumsComment by WIN7: saysComment by WIN7: focusing onComment by WIN7: fromComment by WIN7: what to doComment by WIN7: repeat our mistakesComment by WIN7: a large number of

The first museum is the Lao National Museum, which is located in Vientiane, Laos. It was established as the national museum which emphasizing the revolution of the 1970s. The building was designed as the typical of French colonial architecture. This museum, which was originally built in 1925 as the French governors residence. This building was also the place where independence was declared in 1945. Since then, this building was refurbished and used for various reasons including the Headquarters of the Lao government, housing for the King when visiting from Luangprabang, and the Prime Ministers office. On December 1st, 1980, the building was converted into the Lao Exhibition Hall of the Revolution. This museum presents the history of Laos, highlighting the Laotian peoples struggle to free the country from foreign occupiers and imperialist forces. Inside the museum, it presents paleontology, archaeology, history and ethnology such as exhibition of Dinosaurs era, Prehistoric period, Lane Xang period, Colonial and Independence period, Lao present development, and Ethnic groups. Beside the exhibition, the Lao National Museum also provides various facilities such as a museum shop, a conference room, and a large free parking area. There are lots of interest exhibition, but I could not take photos inside the museum. Whether you want to visit this museum, it is located on Samsenthai road, opposite the Cultural Hall.Comment by WIN7: displaysComment by WIN7: interestingComment by WIN7: if you are interested in

The second museum is the president Kaison Phomviharn museum. This museum was established in 1997 and officially opened on December 2000. The president Kaison Phomviharn museum was constructed to give an honor to Laos great revolutionary leader and the former president, Kaison Phomviharn. The outside of the building is designed in Lao traditional style whereas the inside of the building is similarly designed to the Ho Chi Minh Museum in Ha Noi, Vietnam. When I walked into this museum, I felt like I was in the 1980 era. There are so many various of exhibition including traditional house in the past, some important documents of the president, traditional customs of people in the past, and a photo exhibition that tells the story about his life and the Lao revolutionary history. Beside the exhibition, there is a conference room and books & souvenirs shop on the first floor. If you are interested in this memorial museum, it is located on Kaisone Phomvihane Road. Comment by WIN7: plentyComment by WIN7: exhibitions

The next museum is the Memorial of President Souphanouvong. This museum was officially opened on November 30, 2005 as a memory of President Souphanouvongs impressive accomplishments. President Souphanouvong was a great intellectual, which was one of the most outstanding leaders of the party and the state. He is also a respected leader who did a lot of good actions for party, for nation and for Lao people. In our history, we consider Souphanouvong president as the role model for following and for people to emulate his good deeds. This museum used to be the presidents residence, he lived and worked in this place for 19 years from October 1976 to January 1995. By writing this article led me to see the presidents office and his old documents as well as learning more about the President Souphanouvong actions and achievements. Plus, I saw a lot of photo exhibition of his activities in the revolution movements. I think this museum will be another imperative place to send the revolutionary moral and values of President Souphanouvong to the younger generations. Comment by WIN7: respectful

Another museum is the Peoples Security Museum. This museum is the new museum constructing in Vientiane. The construction cost of Peoples Security Museum was a total worth of US$75.9 billion, which was a sole budget of Lao government. It is officially opened on April 5th, 2011. This museum was established as a remembrance of the 50th anniversary of founding the Lao Peoples Security Forces since 1961 and to appreciate the devotion of Lao leaders and combatants who struggled for the nation. This museum is a valueable place for local people including government officials, military, police, students, and others who want to see and learn about Lao history and accomplishment of the security force. By visiting this museum, I have learnt lot of the past activities in polical-social and reagional peace as well as the international relationship with other international organization. Well, I saw so many weapons and transportation trucks from the past in this museum. I think this article gave me a lot of knowledge and remind me a lot about the history that I have learnt since I was a child. If you want to visit this museum, it is located on Kaisone Phomvihane road and 800 meter far away from Pa Tu Xay Monument. Comment by WIN7: this museum? Or this article? I dont really understand.

The last museum that I would like to introduce is the Lao Peoples Army History Museum. This museum was constructed in 1976 as a small museum. Until 1996, the Lao People Army History was extended as a big museum and it is officially opened in 2000. This museum is describing events during the revolutionary period from 1950 until the independence of the Lao peoples Democratic Republic. Inside this museum, I saw various kind of weapons, tools and the galleries of Lao Peoples Army. Also, there is a display of heroes and important person in Lao history. The exterior of the museum provides an exhibition of troop vehicles and warplanes that were used during the war. If you are interested in this museum, you can find it easily. It is located closed to the Ministry of defense on Kaison Phomvihane road and it is 600 meter far away from That Luang Stupa.Comment by WIN7: covers courses of Comment by WIN7: persons

Serving as a historical preserving venue, a museum regardless of its main focus, still holds in it priceless evidences of a nation revolvement. The Lao National Museum, Kaison Phomviharn Museum, Memorial of President Souphanouvong, Peoples Security Museum, Lao Peoples Army History Museum are all wonderful resources for students and scholars to learn and do researches. I personally think that Lao youth should spare more time exploring these museums to learn about how our previous generations had to fight for our countrys goodness. By doing that, we can pass on the Lao history from generations to generations no matter how many years go by. Moreover, when we understand our countrys history thoroughly, we can be confident to introduce Lao culture to the global community in a better way. Join with me and help promoting Laos beauty to the rest of the world!