Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre (TAEC)

OVERVIEW

The Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre (TAEC) is a museum and cultural centre dedicated to celebrating the ethnic diversity of Laos. Located in a historic building at the foot of Phousi Hill, TAEC hosts exhibitions, special events, a boutique, and an activity centre that offer a rare and fascinating insight into the richness of Laos' cultures and communities.

TAEC exhibition hall showing the diversity of an ethnic group
Embroidered ethnic costume with silver coins on display at TAEC
Akha headdress decorated with silver coins, beads and pompoms
Carved wooden figure at the TAEC museum
Traditional backstrap loom with colourful warp threads
Woven rattan carrying basket from the TAEC collection

Through TAEC’s carefully curated exhibitions, visitors can discover the traditions, beliefs, skills, and everyday lives of Laos’ many ethnic communities. The permanent displays introduce ethnic groups representing the four ethnolinguistic families in Laos.

TAEC also has a special exhibition space with rotating themes. “Between Worlds: Living with Spirits in Laos” is on display until September 2028, with immersive displays about how local people respect ancestors and deities in daily life. Exhibits combine artefacts with photographs, stories, videos, and perspectives from people within the communities themselves.

All exhibitions are presented in English and Lao language. Free translations are available in French, Japanese, Chinese, German, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian.

TAEC maintains a collection of ethnic minority artefacts and a small library on the ethnic groups of Laos, contributing to a growing body of documentation about the diverse cultures found in Laos.

Since opening in 2007, TAEC has welcomed over 200,000 visitors to its exhibitions, and entry is, as always, free for Lao citizens. TAEC’s work includes community research, advocacy for artisan IP rights, and heritage training.

  • Open: 8:00am – 5:00pm
  • Days: Tuesday to Sunday (closed Monday)
    *Note: From November to March, open 7 days a week
  • Ticket: 35,000 Kip per person (Lao citizens and children under 12 years FREE)

Free activities: Guided museum tour every Tuesday and Friday at 3pm · Hands-on bamboo weaving workshop every Saturday at 3pm.

  • Located just a minute’s walk from the night market, at the base of Phousi Hill
  • Google Maps location: View on Google Maps
  • Further information on their website: www.taeclaos.org
What to do at TAEC: free guided tours on Tuesday and Friday and bamboo weaving workshop on Saturday at 3pm
Guided museum tour at TAEC
Visitors holding bamboo weaving made at the TAEC workshop
TAEC team documenting historic artefacts
TAEC historic building at the foot of Phousi Hill

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