Patuxai is one of the most famous monuments in Vientiane, the capital of Laos.
The name means โvictory gateโ and itโs dedicated to the Laotian fight for independence from the French in the 1940s.
This travel guide will explain how to get there, and everything you need to know before you go!
What To Expect
If youโve been to Paris before, youโll notice that the design of Patuxai Monument is really similar to the famous Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
This building was modeled after the Arc, but it has an obvious local flair to it too, like the Buddhist figures and stupa shaped points on top. Personally I think this one looks cooler.
At the top of the monument, you can even get a good 360 degree view of the city of Vientiane.
Entrance Fees
Thereโs no fee to walk around at the monument. Itโs free to visit.
If you go to the top of the monument you have to pay 3,000 kip (less than one US Dollar).
How To Get To Patuxai Monument
Patuxai is located in the Vientiane city center. Itโs a pretty small city, so you can easily walk to this monument from a hotel, which is what I did.
You could also take a bicycle or taxi; there are some tuk-tuk taxis sitting around near the monument if you need a ride back to your hotel afterwards.
Where I Stayed
I stayed at Vayakorn Inn in Vientiane for $29 USD per night.
For this price I got a clean twin room with cold A/C and a comfy bed. There are cheaper hotel options in Vientiane, but the location of this one was great and I was pretty happy with the room and facilities.
There were some great restaurants just 2 minutes from the hotel, and I was able to walk to the Patuxai Victory Monument in about 20 minutes.
I stayed at Vayakorn Inn