Patuxai – Victory Gate Monument in Vientiane, Laos

Standing tall in the center of Vientiane, the capital of Laos, the war monument called Patuxai, literally meaning Victory Gate, was built between 1957 and 1968.

Patuxai is one of the most important monuments of Vientiane. The monument is known as Victory Gate because it was dedicated to those who fought in the struggle for independence from France. Patuxai is located on the Lane Xang Avenue in the center of Vientiane. The monument is similar in style to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and often called the Arc de Triomphe of Vientiane. However, Patuxai has many differences from the French Arc as its design is typically Laotian with the Hindu Gods and various mythological creatures.

As there's not much to see in Vientiane, Patuxai was the first place we’ve visited when getting familiar with the capital of Laos. It is a great place for taking photos as the arc is really picturesque. We didn't climb up to the top of it, but it was worth stopping by as this is one of the most popular attractions in this city. However, if you want to climb to the top of Patuxai and enjoy the view of surroundings, you can do it by paying a small fee.
Patuxai is in an easy walking distance from the center of Vientiane where most of the tourists stay.