Once a temple that housed the famed Emerald Buddha, Ho Phrakeo carries the weight of centuries in its walls. Originally built in the 16th century, the temple was ransacked by the Siamese in the 18th century. The Emerald Buddha was taken to Bangkok, where it resides to this day.

The temple has been rebuilt a few times since then, and though it is no longer a temple, it now stands as a museum showcasing religious art and manuscripts.

We visited during one of our temple days in Vientiane. While its origins as a temple are clear from the architecture, the shift to museum is unmistakable. The grounds include outdoor exhibits highlighting archaeological sites from around Laos, including information on the Plain of Jars, one of the country’s most important prehistoric sites.

The building itself is part of the collection. The current structure was reconstructed by the French during the colonial period and later converted into a museum in the 1970s. Lining the exterior are rows of stone and bronze Buddha statues. Many of the doors and arches are adorned with intricate carvings, being art in their own right.

Unfortunately, photography is not allowed inside, so if you want to see the religious artefacts, sculptures, and historical relics it houses, you’ll have to visit in person. But it’s worth it. Ho Phrakeo is a place where the sacred and the historical intersect, a monument to Laos’ resilience and spiritual heritage.