That Dam is a huge stupa located in a roundabout in the center of Vientiane. It connects the two well-known streets Rue Bartholonie and Rue Chanthakhoumane. The stupa is surrounded by a small garden with a few benches. A worth seeing cultural attraction and a good place to relax a bit. Especially in the evening you can see some laotians hanging around here. That Dam is known as one of the most famous historical landmarks of Vientiane. Due to the weather and the historical events today it is fading and overgrown with vegetation. In the past the stupa was completely plastered but most of it has crumbled off.
Good reasons to visit That Dam
That Dam isn’t a super impressive sight, but there are still some good reasons to visit it. Let’s take a look at some of them:
- A part of Laotian history
- Close to many popular attractions
- Mythical aura
- No entrance fee
- Still in its original state
The fact that the That Dam never got refurbished is both an advantage and disadvantage at the same time. You could argue that the stupa covered in grass looks neglected. On the other hand, it’s kind of refreshing to see a religious site that’s still in its original state. For us, it gives the stupa a mythical aura and makes it more interesting.
History and legend of That Dam
The stupa was built sometime in the 16th century. An exact date isn’t known. This makes That Dam one of the few monuments still preserved from this period. Legend has it that the stupa was once completely covered in gold but the gold was taken in the 1820s when the Siamese invaded Laos. According to another legend That Dam is also inhabited by a seven-headed naga. The seven-headed naga is a serpent creature from Buddhist mythology. She is considered the protector of Vientiane and the reason the stupa didn‘t get destroyed during the Siamese attack and the Indochina Wars. Usually stupas are built to house ashes of monks, nuns and rulers like kings. Legendary creatures on the other hand are far less common. One of the reasons that makes the legend of That Dam so fascinating.
How to get to That Dam
The That Dam Stupa isn’t far from Patuxai Victory Monument. If you’re there anyway, it’s worth making a detour. In general, you can easily rattle off both sights at once. Just tell your driver to drive to Rue Bartholonie or Rue Chanthakhoumane. Almost every tuk tuk knows That Dam. After all, it’s one of the major attractions in Vientiane. However, there’s not that much to see. So, if you don’t want to relax on one of the benches, just tell your driver to wait a little and afterwards just head to another attraction.
Things to do around That Dam
That Dam is relatively in the center, so you can easily get to other attractions. There are also several cafes and restaurants. If you don’t have a problem walking around, you should certainly find something. There are also some accommodations nearby. Including some good ones, which are really cheap. One of the most famous landmarks around That Dam is the Talat Sao Morning Market. It caters to locals and you can find a lot of authentic goods and fresh products here. Equally worth visiting is another famous market, the Vientiane Night Market. The Vientiane Night Market is one of our favorite destinations in the capital, since you can shop with friends while enjoying a lively atmosphere. There’s no question that the That Dam Stupa, thanks to its central location and cultural significance, is a good spot to include in your travel plans.
Entrance fee and opening times
Unlike most other sights, a visit to That Dam is totally free and there are no opening times. You can get there every day and at any time you like. After all, it’s just a stupa located in the center of the roundabout. Just be respectful and don’t climb on it or do anything similar.
Discover the black stupa
You might have heard about the black stupa before, but don’t think too much, because it’s just another name for the That Dam. We don’t know why exactly people refer to it as the black stupa, since it’s not made of black stone or a similar material. What we know is that That Dam in Lao means the black tower. Not a bad name for a stupa housing a mythical creature with seven heads.