The National Ethnic Culture Park was opened in February 1994 on the banks of the Mekong River close to the Friendship Bridge, 18 kilometres downstream from central Vientiane. The site comprises a total area of nine hectares and was initially managed by the Ministry of Information and Culture, but in 1996 it was transferred to the Lao National Tourism Administration (LNTA). The park contains buildings from different provinces and ethnic groups, reconstructed to show how local people live. Aimed at both foreign and domestic tourists, it comprises an entrance area with a central hall and restaurant, craft shops and an outdoor stage, plus four distinct zones: (i) a children’s zone with a small zoo; (ii) a zone which displays ethnic minority architecture from different provinces; (iii) a zone which displays Lao architecture from different provinces; and (iv) a zone which displays temple architecture from around the country. However, due to lack of funds only a small number of traditional houses were built and with many areas (notably the central hall and restaurant) now in a very poor state of repair, few foreign tourists venture here. When the park first opened the Ethnic Minority Performance Troupe of the military-owned Phattanakhet Phudoi (Rural Development) Company was based at the park and gave regular performances in the outdoor theatre, but while special performances are still organised here to celebrate National Day, International Women’s Day, Children’s Day and Buddha Day and traditional festivals such as Lao New Year (April), the Rocket Festival (April), the Boat Racing Festival (August) and Hmong New Year (November), there is no longer a resident troupe. Nowadays the park is used mainly by visiting school groups. At the time of writing many of its buildings are in a state of disrepair and the management is currently seeking foreign investment to renovate and develop the park as an all-round entertainment complex, with thematic displays on nature, history and culture.