Triumph, Victory and Shopping, too

Arc de Triomphe of Vientiane

Patuxai or Patuxai Arch literally means Victory Gate or the Gate of Triumph. Built in 1969,  it is dedicated to those who fought in the Lao struggle for independence from France. It resembles the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, but is typically Laotian in design, decorated with mythological figures and very ornate. The Patuxai was built with cement purchased from the US that was supposed to be used for the construction of a new airport, but ended up on this monument

One can climb up stairs through several levels, ending up with a spiral staircase to the top. Each level has views of the city. Each level has a shopping area... a surprising place for selling things...but you know the old expression, "veni, vidi, VISA"." (I came, I saw, I charged)

port-hole window detail