Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise

Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise, also known as COPE, is a local organization dedicated to bettering the lives of thousands of people in Laos who are affected by Unexploded Ordnance (UXO).

The steel sculpture outside COPE’s center – one that features a woman and child fleeing something, is an accurate representation of a lot of people in Laos who still live in fear of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO), which are explosive remnants of the Vietnam war that can detonate anytime. Visitors of COPE can see firsthand how the organization helps those affected by UXOs: the small visitors’ centre displays hundreds of prosthetics, shows details about the American War, and provides information about UXOs and how they affect people’s lives. A tour of COPE’s workshop can also give visitors a glimpse of how the prosthetics are made.

Location

COPE is located at Boulevard Khouvieng, Vientiane, Laos.

Opening Days and Hours

The Visitors’ Center is open seven days a week from 09:00 to 18:00.

Entry Fee and Bookings

Admission to the centre is completely free.

How to Get There

COPE’s visitors’ center can easily be accessed via a rented tuk-tuk for LAK 59,915 (USD 7.21).

Suggested For

Solo Travelers/Backpackers
Families
Groups

Time to Spend

You can explore COPE for an hour and a half.

Popularity and Best Time to Go

The best time to visit the centre is at 10:00 until 12:00 noon.

Food

Nearby restaurants like Cote Jardin Restaurant, Kungs Café, Tyson Kitchen, and Hanoi Restaurant offer authentic Lao food and other foreign cuisine as well.

Safety and Fraud

If you do opt to rent a motorbike to visit the falls, avail of the paid parking in the attractions, which costs approximately LAK 2,000 to 5,000 or USD 0.24 to 0.60. Motorbike theft in the attractions is a real risk.

Nearby Attractions

Patuxai Victory Monument
That Luang
Wat Si Saket
Buddha Park

Stay

You can opt to stay at nearby hotels such as Green Park Boutique Hotel, Mandala Boutique Hotel, Don Chan Palace, and La Ong Dao Hotel. Rates range from USD 25 to 120.