Laos National Cultural Hall

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Laos National Cultural Hall

 

Financed by a grant aid from the PRC (People's Republic of China), the Laos National Cultural Hall was inaugurated in 2000 of March. Since it has no budget to come up with its own shows, the LNCH merely functions as a receiving hall for other outside performances or international art groups or artists sponsored by Vientiane-based foreign embassies. It also hosts conferences organized by government offices such as the Ministry of Information and Culture. The hall can seat 1,500 in its auditorium, and has 2 conference rooms and a lobby that holds an endless stream of art exhibitions.

Looming over most of the building on the street of Vientiane, this 4-storey building has soaring columns with elaborate gold trimming, calling attention to it and casting smaller and less impressive buildings around it in the shade. Lao woodcarving dominates the entrance doors, making it even more impressive.

Although it was given as a gift by the Chinese government to Laos, it is very rarely open to the public since its doors are only open when there is an event, which is not often. Most of the time it is used for film showings, political meetings, exhibitions, concerts, and private functions.