First phase renovations at Laos’ national museum, known as Ho Phra Keo, have been completed.
Lao News Agency quoted Vientiane Information, Culture and Tourism director, Khampadith Khemmanith, saying the renovation that included repairs to the upper structure of the museum and parts of its floor cost USD740,00 mainly raised from the public and private firms.
The museum is located in the capital Vientiane.
The second phase of the renovation project will commence next month, the report said.
Vientiane Capital administration will host a public briefing, 21 February, to explain details of the various phases.
A traditional alms giving ceremony will also be held 22 February.
Ho Phra Keo was built in 1565 by King Sayasetthathirath to house the Emerald Buddha 1565 to 1779. It was the King’s personal place of worship.

During the 1970s, it was converted from a place of worship into a museum. It now houses a national collection of Buddhist sculptures and artefacts.
The renovation is the third of its kind since the museum was built with the first renovation taking place during King Anouvong’s reign in 1816, and the second one during King Souvana Phoumma’s time in power between 1936 and 1942.
Since 1942 Ho Phra Keo has been the home of the National Museum.
The jade Emerald Buddha image was seized by an invading Siamese army in 1778 and now resides in Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok. The temple in Vientiane was transformed into a museum.
The revered image was first discovered in a chedi in Chiang Rai in far north Thailand when it was part of the Lanna kingdom that covered North Thailand, Myanmar and Laos.