That Dam Stupa Travel Guide

That Dam, meaning 'Black Stupa' in Lao, is one of Vientiane's most famous historical landmarks. Located in the center of a roundabout, it connects Rue Bartholonie and Rue Chanthakhoumane. The stupa's origins are uncertain, with local folklore suggesting it was once part of a grand Khmer temple complex, possibly covered in gold leaf. According to legend, the gold was plundered during the Siamese invasion in the 1820s, leaving the stupa bare and blackened, hence its name. Another legend claims that That Dam is inhabited by a seven-headed Naga, a serpent creature from Buddhist mythology, who protects Vientiane. The Naga is believed to have safeguarded the city during the Siamese attack and the Indochina Wars.Constructed of brick and stone, the stupa has a cylindrical shape that tapers towards the top, crowned with a pointed spire. Over the centuries, the elements have taken their toll, with vegetation overgrowing the structure. That Dam is a worth seeing cultural attraction and a good place to relax a bit. Especially in the evening you can see some Laotians hanging around here.