Patuxai (ປະຕູໄຊ), which translates to Victory Gate, is a war monument located on Thanon Lahn Sang (ຖະຫນົນລ້ານຊ້າງ), usually translated as Lane Xang Avenue, in downtown Vientiane (ວຽງຈັນ), the capital city of Laos. Built between 1957 and 1968, it commemorates those who fought for independence from France. Its design, while reminiscent of Paris's Arc de Triomphe, features distinct Laotian elements, such as mythological creatures and deities from Hinduism and the Ramayana. The monument was originally dedicated to Laotian soldiers who died during World War II and the fight for independence. After the communist Pathet Lao (ປະເທດລາວ) took over in 1975, it was renamed to honour their victory. The top floor has five towers, symbolizing coexistence and the Buddhist principles. The monument features gateways in four cardinal directions, petals ay the base that represent a lotus, and statues of Naga Kings. Patuxai was constructed with American funds intended for a new airport, earning it the nickname ‘vertical runway’. 回