Lao National Museum

Next door to the Kaysone Phomvihane Museum is the Lao National Museum, which broadens the focus from one man to the country as a whole. It spans millions of years, beginning with prehistoric fossils, through the wars and struggles of the 20th century, and ending with modern history. The building isn’t as grand as its neighbour, but it still has an air of importance, with traditional Laos architectural flourishes. It feels more like a traditional museum: still solemn, but less overwhelming. Inside, things are more relaxed. The museum was a little busier, though still far from crowded. Exhibits are divided into sections: Prehistory, Traditional Culture, The Laotian Civil War, and Modern History among them. The largest by far is the war section, filled with weapons, uniforms, and documentation from both sides of the conflict. Some rooms feel sparse, with displays lining only the walls; others are densely packed with artefacts. It might give the impression that they don’t have much to show, but the reality is that what they do have is meaningful. #travel#couplestrip#thingstodo#museums