Lao People's Army History Museum
Explore Laos's military past with impressive outdoor hardware and detailed indoor exhibits on post-WWII conflicts.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Potentially more flexible staff for exhibits
Lao People's Army History Museum
Best Time
Potentially more flexible staff for exhibits
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Explore Laos's military past with impressive outdoor hardware and detailed indoor exhibits on post-WWII conflicts.
"Great museum with quite a number of large military hardware and interesting insights into the Laotian civil war."
📸 Photography Allowed
Capture the impressive military hardware and historical displays. Entry fee is 20,000 kip.
⏳ Allow at Least One Hour
You'll need about an hour to explore the exhibits and outdoor displays thoroughly.
Quick Facts
Hours
Rating
3.9 · 260 reviews
Type
Museum
Address
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Outdoor Military Hardware
Exterior grounds
See impressive MiG fighter jets, Soviet helicopters, artillery, and bombs up close. A real treat for military enthusiasts!
Upstairs Exhibits
Second floor
Detailed and well-arranged displays on Laotian military history, with comprehensive English accounts of post-WWII conflicts.
Remnants of War
Rear exterior
A sobering display of unexploded US bombs serves as a stark reminder of the country's past conflicts.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing Your Visit
Focus on Post-WWII History
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
📸 Photography Allowed
Capture the impressive military hardware and historical displays. Entry fee is 20,000 kip.
⏳ Allow at Least One Hour
You'll need about an hour to explore the exhibits and outdoor displays thoroughly.
Where’s best place to see war stuff / bomb remains etc?
Hi Laos locals, hope this is not insensitive but i’m a HUGE history nerd, and i’d love to visit Laos to see the history. I know Laos is allegedly the most bombed country in the world, Where would the best place to visit in Laos to see war remnants, bomb remains / craters or…
📚 English Library Access
Check out the library on the left upon entry for English books on Laotian history. Closed on Fridays.
❄️ Air-Conditioned Comfort
The upstairs exhibits are well air-conditioned, offering a cool respite from Vientiane's heat.
One day in Vientiane, what to see?
Hello! Can you please give advice what to see, or maybe take some tour to the north from Vientiane? Il be here at 1 day, looking for some journey. Prefs mountains, but looks like most mountains so far from city. Thanks for replies!
Tips
from all over the internet
📸 Photography Allowed
Capture the impressive military hardware and historical displays. Entry fee is 20,000 kip.
⏳ Allow at Least One Hour
You'll need about an hour to explore the exhibits and outdoor displays thoroughly.
📚 English Library Access
Check out the library on the left upon entry for English books on Laotian history. Closed on Fridays.
❄️ Air-Conditioned Comfort
The upstairs exhibits are well air-conditioned, offering a cool respite from Vientiane's heat.
🗣️ Language Barrier
While upstairs exhibits have English, downstairs staff may not speak English.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise the Lao People's Army History Museum for its impressive collection of outdoor military hardware and well-presented indoor exhibits, offering valuable insights into Laotian military history, particularly post-WWII conflicts. However, some are disappointed by the inaccessibility of certain group-specific exhibits and the limited English content in downstairs areas.
"Great museum, definitely to visit when in Vientiane! Quite recent and with quite a number of large military hardware. Interesting insights into the Laotian civil war and the armed struggles after the Second World War.
Lots of interesting signs. The second floor is well designed. Takes less than one hour to visit.
On the negative side, the staff won’t open the large rooms with sandboxes unless you are a big group. That was disappointing.
On a sidenote, there is a library on the left when you enter, with some books in English (others are in Lao or Thai). The library is not opened on Friday, otherwise you can spend the rest of your visit studying Laotian history on the period."
Alexandre Dupont-S
"Very interesting place to visit. Lots of history I didn’t know about Laos. Of course it was neat to see the various guns and artillery pieces that were used in Lao war history. Recommended."
Jacob Litchfield
"Very nice museum, modern, clean, well taken care of. The complete mikitaty history of Laos is upstairs, though it is highly centered on post WWII conflicts. Everything g upstairs is in both Engliah and Lao. Well air-conditioned as well. Downstairs has movie theaters, however the movies are in Lao. There are vehicles, artillery, bombs, and aircraft outside the back of the building. 20,000 kip entry fee and you are allowed to take pictures throughout the museum."
Ken
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The museum is located in Vientiane. You can reach it by taxi or tuk-tuk from the city center. It's a straightforward journey, and drivers will likely know the location.
While Vientiane has public transport options, a taxi or tuk-tuk is generally the most convenient way to reach the museum directly.
The museum has an entrance where you can see military hardware like a MiG and a helicopter through the gate, which is a good indicator you've arrived.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
The admission fee is 20,000 kip. This grants you access to most of the museum's exhibits.
Yes, photography is allowed throughout the museum, allowing you to capture the historical displays and military equipment.
The large rooms with sandboxes are typically reserved for groups. Staff may not open them for individual visitors.
The museum is generally open, but the library on the left side of the entrance is closed on Fridays.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
You'll find exhibits on Laotian military history from 1950-1975, with a strong focus on the civil war and post-WWII conflicts. There are also outdoor displays of aircraft, artillery, and bombs.
Absolutely! It's a great place for war nerds and those interested in military history, offering insights into Laos's struggles.
The exhibits upstairs are well-written and comprehensive in both English and Lao. However, downstairs movie theaters show films only in Lao.
Most visitors spend less than an hour to an hour and a half to see the main exhibits and outdoor displays.
The displays of remaining US bombs are a poignant and horrific reminder of the impact of war on Laos.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
The museum itself doesn't appear to have extensive dining facilities. It's advisable to eat before or after your visit at nearby restaurants in Vientiane.
📸 📸 Photography
Yes, photography is permitted throughout the museum, allowing you to document the historical artifacts and displays.
The outdoor military hardware, including fighter jets and helicopters, makes for spectacular photos. The indoor exhibits also offer many visual elements.
Social
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