Vat That Khao, also known as Wat That Khao, is a serene Buddhist temple in Vientiane, Laos, located across from the Royal Park and Don Chan Palace on Fa Ngum Quay. It lies near prominent landmarks such as Vat Phiavat, Vat Si Meuang, and the King Sisavang Vong Monument. Most notably, it is nestled beside the revered Vat That Luang, Laos’ most sacred site, which houses a relic believed to be Buddha’s breastbone, dating back to 300 BC.

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.

That Dam, also known as the Black Stupa, is a 16th-century Buddhist stupa located on a tranquil roundabout in central Vientiane, near Talat Sao (the morning market) and the American Embassy. According to local legend, the stupa was once protected by a seven-headed water serpent, or Naga, and was covered in pure gold. However, during the Siamese-Laotian War in the late 1820s, the gold was looted and taken to Siam (modern-day Thailand), leaving behind the dark, weathered structure seen today.