Pha That Luang, the “Great Stupa,” stands as the most revered religious site and a national symbol in Vientiane, the capital of Laos. Originally built in 1566 CE on the site of a 13th-century Khmer temple, it was constructed to enshrine a relic of the Buddha. Over the centuries, the stupa has faced destruction and reconstruction multiple times due to wars and invasions, yet it remains a powerful symbol of the Lao people’s resilience and cultural identity.