That Dam, Vientiane Overview

That Dam is a large stupa, located in the city centre of Vientiane, Laos. The stupa is one of the historical landmarks in the city and is a popular tourist attraction in Vientiane. It is enroute to many popular attractions in the town including Patuxai monument. The stupa is believed to be a Buddhist temple or a place containing the ashes one of the former kings of Laos as the history of the memorial is still unclear.

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Best time to visit

The best time to visit That Dam is in the early morning or late afternoon when the weather is pleasant.

The Legend of the That Dam

Apart from the belief that the memorial belongs to the 16th century, the history of That Dam may be unclear. But evidence suggests that it is one of the only few monuments to survive the invasion by the Siamese army in 1827.

Tham Dat translates to Black Stupa in the local language. It is due to a legend that says that the stupa was covered entirely with gold and the Siamese stripped off the gold from the stupa. It got named as Black stupa, owing to the black memory in the history of Vientiane.

Another legend among the locals associated with its survival against Siamese attack is a belief that a seven-headed Naga called Mucalinda who inhabits the stupa. It is the Naga that protected Buddha from the rain and the winds as he meditated. Some also link this to the Hindu God Nagas, which is a famous mythological character that influenced the neighbouring Khmer empire in Cambodia.

How To Reach That Dam

That Dam is located at a roundabout close to Patuxai monument in Vientiane. The best way to reach is by hiring a Tuk-Tuk. It costs about 4 USD for a round trip. You can also rent a motorbike for about 12 to 14 USD per day, or you can get there by bike(bicycle) which cost about 3 to 4 USD for rent per day.