Vanpheng Keopannha

Portrait of Alissa Wahid

Country Lao People's Democratic Republic
Title Director of Lao National Museum
Duration July 20th (Arrival on 21th) - July 31st, 2025
Places of stay Tokyo, Saitama, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka
Visits and meetings Miraikan – The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, Sensō-ji Temple, Meiji Jingu Shrine, National Institutes for Cultural Heritage (The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan), Tokyo National Museum, Nerima Art Museum, Saitama Prefectural Museum of History and Folklore, Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, National Museum of Nature and Science, Kinkaku-ji Temple, Nijō Castle, Kyoto City Zoo, Kyoto National Museum, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Japanese Tea Ceremony Experience, HOSOO GALLERY, Asia-Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO (ACCU Nara), Nara Prefecture Historical and Artistic Culture Complex, Nara Park, Isuien Garden, Tōdai-ji Temple, Hōryū-ji Temple, Nara National Museum, National Museum of Ethnology, Osaka Museum of History, Osaka Castle

Report

As Director of Lao National Museum, Ms. Vanpheng Keopannha, who is dedicated to exhibiting and promoting Lao culture and history, as well as conducting research and preservation of cultural heritage, traveled to Tokyo, Saitama, Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka. During her stay, she explored museums and World Heritage / Cultural Heritage Sites across Japan and visited organizations and individuals engaged in the research and conservation of cultural properties. Through these encounters, she engaged in dialogues and gained valuable insights from a wide range of activities and disciplines.

Reflecting on her experience, she remarked, “I was reminded that museums have long been served as spaces for dialogue and exchange, both locally and internationally. I had the opportunity to meet with various Japanese organizations and specialists involved in museums and cultural heritage, and I learned a great deal from them.” We hope this visit will foster deeper cultural exchange between Japan and the Lao PDR and serve as a meaningful foundation for her future activities.

Commemorative photo of seven people lined up indoors. Ms. Vanpheng Keopannhaa is on the left and Mr. Hiroyuki SHIMATANI is on the right.
Meeting with Mr. Hiroyuki SHIMATANI, President of the National Institutes for Cultural Heritage (The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan)

A commemorative photo of Director Ito (on the right) and Ms. Vanpheng Keopannha (on the left) standing side by side in front of the museum's nameplate.
With Mr. Masanobu ITO, Director of Nerima Art Museum

Ms. Vanpheng Keopannha practices the tea ceremony while sitting upright on the tatami mat in a Japanese-style room.
Japanese Tea Ceremony Experience

People are discussing documents around an oval desk in a conference room
Visit to the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties

A commemorative photo of the two standing side by side indoors, with Ms. Vanpheng Keopannha on the left and Dr. Kyonosuke HIRAI on the right
With Dr. Kyonosuke HIRAI, Deputy Director-General of the National Museum of Ethnology

Back view of two people looking up at the Great Buddha and reading the explanation on the panel
Site Visit to Tōdai-ji Temple

Press Release (in Japanese)

【取材のお願い】ラオス国立博物館 ヴァンペン・ケオパンニャー館長が来日

Highlights from the visits to different places

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