Wat Ho Phra Keo
Wat Ho Phra Keo
4
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Wat Ho Phra Keo
The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
349 within 3 miles
Attractions
56 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
523 reviews
Excellent
144
Very good
253
Average
113
Poor
9
Terrible
4
OrderintheHouse
Brisbane3,531 contributions
Jan 2020
My wife and I celebrated our 40th anniversary in January 2020 on an 18 day Asian adventure which included a short 5 day Wendy Wu “Laos in Focus” private tour organised through Asia DMC Laos. We enjoyed a three night stay in Luang Prabang and one night in Vientiane.
With only a limited time in Vientiane, we were given a “whirl wind” two hour tour that covered the main city attractions including a twenty minute glimpse of the beautiful Wat Ho Phra Keo Temple ( also known as Ho Phra Keo or Haw Phra Kaew).
A former monastery and serving as a royal temple of the Lao monarchs, Wat Ho Phra Keo Temple was originally built in 1565 on the orders of King Setthathirath (one of the great leaders in Lao history) and the Emerald Buddha (actually carved from a type of jade) was originally housed here. The temple was destroyed during the Siamese invasion of 1828 and rebuilt by the French during the colonial period between 1936 and 1942. The temple is now used as a museum offering displays of fine examples of Lao religious art. The Emerald Buddha was taken from here in 1779 to Thailand and it now resides in a Temple in Bangkok of the same name.
The focal point of the museum complex is the sim (ordination hall) which is a very ornate building. It has a multi-tiered roof which is very appealing to the eye with gilded ridge and bargeboard ornaments. It has stairways at the main and side entrances to the veranda which incorporate a mythological Naga serpent on the side parapets of the stairways with its head looking away from the temple. The gable end incorporates pleasing gilded decoration. At the top of the gable is an image of Indra mounted on a triple-headed elephant. Under this is a row of deities. These were stunning features. Another lovely aspect of the exterior of the sim are the imposing maroon and gold columns around the entire perimeter of the sim. The veranda contains an impressive gallery of 18th century bronze Buddha images and other artefacts. There are interesting displays of religious artefacts in the sim’s interior hall – however photography is not allowed here, a courtesy we respected. We also had to observe Lao custom by removing our shoes before entering.
It was nice wandering through the pleasing landscaped gardens on the complex with statues set among the trees. On the way to the sim in these gardens we passed one most interesting sculpture displaying the most intricate carvings of animals, flowers and buildings embedded in the original material – well worth a photo stop.
This was just a quick visit to this temple museum. However, it was worth a glimpse to admire its beauty and religious significance. We were pleased it was included on our whirl wind tour.
With only a limited time in Vientiane, we were given a “whirl wind” two hour tour that covered the main city attractions including a twenty minute glimpse of the beautiful Wat Ho Phra Keo Temple ( also known as Ho Phra Keo or Haw Phra Kaew).
A former monastery and serving as a royal temple of the Lao monarchs, Wat Ho Phra Keo Temple was originally built in 1565 on the orders of King Setthathirath (one of the great leaders in Lao history) and the Emerald Buddha (actually carved from a type of jade) was originally housed here. The temple was destroyed during the Siamese invasion of 1828 and rebuilt by the French during the colonial period between 1936 and 1942. The temple is now used as a museum offering displays of fine examples of Lao religious art. The Emerald Buddha was taken from here in 1779 to Thailand and it now resides in a Temple in Bangkok of the same name.
The focal point of the museum complex is the sim (ordination hall) which is a very ornate building. It has a multi-tiered roof which is very appealing to the eye with gilded ridge and bargeboard ornaments. It has stairways at the main and side entrances to the veranda which incorporate a mythological Naga serpent on the side parapets of the stairways with its head looking away from the temple. The gable end incorporates pleasing gilded decoration. At the top of the gable is an image of Indra mounted on a triple-headed elephant. Under this is a row of deities. These were stunning features. Another lovely aspect of the exterior of the sim are the imposing maroon and gold columns around the entire perimeter of the sim. The veranda contains an impressive gallery of 18th century bronze Buddha images and other artefacts. There are interesting displays of religious artefacts in the sim’s interior hall – however photography is not allowed here, a courtesy we respected. We also had to observe Lao custom by removing our shoes before entering.
It was nice wandering through the pleasing landscaped gardens on the complex with statues set among the trees. On the way to the sim in these gardens we passed one most interesting sculpture displaying the most intricate carvings of animals, flowers and buildings embedded in the original material – well worth a photo stop.
This was just a quick visit to this temple museum. However, it was worth a glimpse to admire its beauty and religious significance. We were pleased it was included on our whirl wind tour.
Written July 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hudsonmccraw
Virginia Beach, VA3,922 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
Even though foreigners to Laos pay 6 times as much as citizens of Laos, it is still a bargain at 30000 Kip. The museum had some ornate designs for the exterior. And the grounds of the museum were generally well maintained. Pictures aren’t allowed in the interior for preservation purposes, but it was intriguing to see nonetheless.
Written August 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Samiya7
Deerfield Beach, FL1,209 contributions
Jan 2023 • Family
Our guide took us to this temple as part of our tour of Vientiane. Entrance fee was 30,000 KIP for foreigners. It is a beautiful temple that used to house the famous emerald Buddha for over 200 years - the Buddha is now in Thailand. There is a small replica of the Emerald Buddha inside the museum along with other statutes and items inside the museum. There is also a tiny gift shop area inside the temple. My daughter found a small temple kitten that she wanted to adopt. It was friendly and crawled into her lap and purred as she petted him. Unfortunately we had nothing to feed him so if you are reading this review consider bringing some cat food for the adorable tiny tabby temple kitten.
Written January 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah
Geneva, Switzerland1,149 contributions
Jan 2024 • Solo
I had expected something more, both in terms of the objects hosted in the museum (where photos are not allowed) and the gardens.
Not much worth the entrance fee -
especially when visiting just after having been to the Wat Sisaket, just across the road, the Ho Prakeo does not stand out.
Quite nice the wooden sculpture in the garden.
Not much worth the entrance fee -
especially when visiting just after having been to the Wat Sisaket, just across the road, the Ho Prakeo does not stand out.
Quite nice the wooden sculpture in the garden.
Written January 15, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
annminky
United States3,937 contributions
May 2024 • Solo
This was the first temple I visited in Ventianne Laos. Such a stunning temple with well maintained grounds. The temple housed Laos religious art, sculptures etc. Buddhas adored just outside the temple. I love the many red flowers and butterflies outside. Dress modestly when entering the temple . Inexpensive fee to enter.
Written May 11, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DawnDelVecchio
34 contributions
Jan 2023
A classic must-see in Vientiane. Alas, since the gaudy paint-job in 2015 it no longer has the same commanding elegance. Still, the museum inside has excellent examples of regional Buddhas and the galleries are lovely.
Written January 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Saranger
Los Angeles, CA9,007 contributions
Feb 2015 • Couples
Entrance is 5,000 which is a bargain. The grounds are lovely. Be modestly dressed or they'll give you a sarong to cover up. The exterior of the building is gorgeous! The interior is not so much. Lots of dusty cases with Buddha statues without much signage to tell you why they're displayed. Could be better.
We brought a snack with us and sat and enjoyed the gardens after our visit. Right next door to the Presidential Palace.
We brought a snack with us and sat and enjoyed the gardens after our visit. Right next door to the Presidential Palace.
Written February 8, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SeeMoreLiveMore
Singapore, Singapore513 contributions
Dec 2019
This place deserves a lot more recommendations than it is getting. Rich history, and wondrous collection of Buddhist statue.
Written February 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rain T
Singapore, Singapore513 contributions
Nov 2019 • Friends
Buddhist temple and museum together , photo taking is not possible in the inner temple as there is a lot of ancient artifacts on display. Worth a visit if you want to understand more about Laos culture
Written November 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lantau_Subic
Subic, Philippines862 contributions
Aug 2019
Located very close to many of the restaurant and hotels, this beautiful temple is well worth the visit. You'll enjoy the lovely landscaping and tranquility of the grounds.
Written November 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing