Architectural Legacy
In addition to it's important political legacy, the Vang Na has left a fascinating architectural legacy in Luang Prabang now largely represented by the cluster of high-end boutique hotels in the southern part of the town. In this chapter we take a look at some of these buildings in the town that trace their history back to the Front Palace.
Ban Luang Prabang
Known in earlier times as the Hong Tai (ໂຮງໃຕ້) or "Downstream Mansion" to distinguish it from the King's Main Palace residence up-stream on the peninsular, this has been the main residence of the Upahat since the 1820's. The mansion and its grounds are located directly behind Vat Maha That which is the family temple of the Front Palace.
The beautiful two storey cruciform shaped mansion that now stands there was built in 1923 as the residence of Tiao Souvannarath and Tiao Nang Sa-ngiem Kham, daughter of Tiao Maha Upahat Boun Khoung (Who had died in 1920). It is a magnificent example of Luang Prabang's French influenced royal Lao architecture from this period. The mansion and its gardens are still maintained in excellent condition by the family. The building is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Inventory as #423.
The beautiful two storey cruciform shaped mansion that now stands there was built in 1923 as the residence of Tiao Souvannarath and Tiao Nang Sa-ngiem Kham, daughter of Tiao Maha Upahat Boun Khoung (Who had died in 1920). It is a magnificent example of Luang Prabang's French influenced royal Lao architecture from this period. The mansion and its gardens are still maintained in excellent condition by the family. The building is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Inventory as #423.
Amantaka Resort
Around 1910 Tiao Maha Upahat Boun Khoung donated a large area of land adjacent to the "Upstream Mansion" for the building of a modern hospital, an indication of his commitment to modernising the kingdom. This hospital serviced Luang Prabang for eight decades before it was closed. The French colonial style buildings were documented in 1994 by the UNESCO World Heritage project, being listed in their inventory as #352 to #360.
The buildings have been renovated and refurbished and are now used as a high-end resort hotel.
The buildings have been renovated and refurbished and are now used as a high-end resort hotel.
Homm Souvannaphoum
Built in 1971 this was once the private home of Tiao Souvanna Phouma, Prime Minister of Laos through most of the 1960's and up to 1975. It's architecture is modern and heavily American influenced, as to be expected in this period. It was built on land that was originally part of the Front Palace "Upstream Mansion" and faces out onto the main road near the fountain. It is to day managed as Homm Souvannaphoum Luang Prabang hotel and keeps on display artefacts that once belonged to Souvanna Phouma.
Satri House
Another boutique hotel in the area of the Vang Na, Satri House was built in 1904 by Tiao Maha Upahat Boung Koung for his eleventh wife Mom Kham Ouan. It hence became the childhood home of his last son, Tiao Souphanouvong, who lived here until he was eleven years old and later went on to become "The Red Prince" and the first President of the People's Democratic Republic of Laos.
The building is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Inventory as #345.
The building is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Inventory as #345.
Villa Maly
Another of the Vang Na mansions now converted to a boutique hotel is Villa Maly. Built in 1938 on the site of an ancient but disused temple, Vat Setthi Luang, by Princess Suvanthamaly, ninth daughter of Tiao Maha Upahat Boun Khoung. It became the home of her daughter Princess Kham Pieng and husband Prince Kham-Tan Ounkham (Eldest son of Prince Sisaleumsak, brother of King Sisavangvong). Prince Kham-Tan died in a plane crash in 1968 but Princess Kham Pieng continued to live at the house until her death in 1994. The house was sold in 2007 to become a boutique hotel.
The building is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Inventory as #425.
The building is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Inventory as #425.
The Grand Luang Prabang
Located about 4km south of Ban Luang Prabang, over-looking the Mekong River, the five-star Grand Luang Prabang hotel has been built around another beautiful two storey mansion built in 1920 known as Vang Xieng Keo. It was originally built by a French resident but later the house was purchased by Tiao Phetsarath who spent his final years of semi-retirement here.
The Grand Luang Prabang hotel maintain the mansion as a small museum about the legendary nationalist hero, with many old photographs on the walls and some of Tiao Phetsarath's somewhat spartan possessions.
Looking out across the Mekong river from his writing desk, Tiao Phetsarath would have been looking at Pha Tad Khe, "the cliff to untie and resolve". This land on the river's right bank was also owned by the Front Palace and Tiao Phetsarath used to enjoy walking and hunting in the forest there.
The Grand Luang Prabang hotel maintain the mansion as a small museum about the legendary nationalist hero, with many old photographs on the walls and some of Tiao Phetsarath's somewhat spartan possessions.
Looking out across the Mekong river from his writing desk, Tiao Phetsarath would have been looking at Pha Tad Khe, "the cliff to untie and resolve". This land on the river's right bank was also owned by the Front Palace and Tiao Phetsarath used to enjoy walking and hunting in the forest there.