Wat Ho Phra Keo
Visit one of Vientiane’s most impressive and interesting temple – the Wat Ho Phra Keo, which previously housed the Emerald Buddha.
Vientiane has a number of temples, but Wat Ho Phra Keo is worth the visit due to its interesting background. Wat Ho Phra Kaew was originally built in 1565 as the Lao royal family’s personal chapel and was home to the Emerald Buddha after it was snatched from Northern Siam or Thailand. The Siamese then reclaimed the sacred Emerald Buddha in 1778 and can now be seen in Bangkok’s Wat Phra Kaew.
In spite of the loss of the Emerald Buddha, the temple-turned museum is still worth the visit due to the fact that it is the only surviving part of the old royal palace, and its magnificent 16th century features, carvings, and Buddha statues.
Location
Wat Ho Phra Keo can be found in the corner of Thanon Setthathilath and Thanon Mahosot. It is next to the Presidential Palace and across the road from Wat Si Saket.
Opening Days and Hours
Wat Ho Phra Keo is open daily from 08:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 16:00.
Entry Fee and Bookings
Entrance fee costs LAK 10,000 (USD 1.20) per person.
How to Get There
If you are staying at the Vientiane city centre, you can easily reach Wat Ho Phra Keo via a short stroll, bicycle ride, or tuk-tuk. You can head east along Thanon Setthathilath or Thanon Fa Ngum from the main entertainment or business district, and you will then find the temple in a tree-filled compound right after the Presidential Palace.
Suggested For
- Backpackers/solo travelers
- Couples
- Group of friends
- Families with kids
Time to Spend
You can explore Wat Ho Phra Keo in one hour.
Popularity and Best Time to Go
You can visit the temple museum as soon as it opens to beat the tourist crowds.
Food
Restaurants that can be found near Wat Ho Phra Keo include:
- Kualao Restaurant
- Joma Bakery Café
- Pomodoro Pizzeria
- Tyson Kitchen
- Delight House of Fruit Shakes
- Chokdee Café and Belgian Beer Bar
Nearby Attractions
- Wat Ho Phakeo
- Wat Si Saket
- Presidential Palace
- Chao Fa Ngum Statue (Chao Anouvong Statue)
- Church of Sacred Heart
- That Dam (Black Stupa)
- COPE Visitor Centre
Stay
Accommodations near Wat Ho Phra Keo include inns and hotels such as Memory Hotel, Heuang Chaleun Hotel, Ibis Vientiane Nam Phu Hotel, and City Inn Vientiane. Prices range from USD 22 to USD 211 per night.