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This is one of the most beautiful buildings in downtown Vientiane - and its days are numbered. It goes back to French colonial times. It houses a museum of Lao history.

In the race to become a wealthy-looking, modern city like its SE Asian neighbors, Bangkok and Saigon - which, by the way, are classic examples of deficient city planning - Vientiane seems all too willing to destroy that which makes it attractive and special.